Kirkland Community Wildlife Habitat

06/05/2026

Many native plants are drought tolerant once established. As we experience warmer, drier summers, think about incorporating these into your landscape.

Due to a drier than usual winter and low snowpack in the mountains, the Department of Ecology is predicting drought across the whole state this summer.

One of the best ways you can save water is to make changes to your landscaping that help it make the most of the water you give it.

Here are some top tips for things you can do in the garden now to help save water and reduce water bills this summer:

🌳Add compost and mulch to your garden. Building healthy soil that is a better "sponge" is the number one way to keep water where you put it and have it do the most good for your plants. Arborist wood chip mulch is especially great at helping soil hold onto moisture, and builds healthier soil over time as it breaks down - and it’s free through chipdrop!

🌿Plant native plants, or drought resistant sun loving plants that require less water and maintenance (new plantings will still require some watering through their first summer as they establish their roots - but these plants will require less water than others over time).

💧Consider installing drip irrigation or a soaker hose system to deliver water right where it’s needed - at the base of your plants.

🌧Ready for an even bigger change? Check out Kirkland's Yard Smart program and schedule a site visit to see if you qualify for rebates up to $5,000 to disconnect your downspouts and replace lawn with a rain garden or native landscaping.

Are you doing anything in the garden to prepare for a hotter and drier summer?

06/03/2026

Plant some natives to support our pollinators!

June is National Pollinator Month, and communities across America have a lot to thank pollinators for. Bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators help support the crops and plants that feed our families, strengthen local agriculture, and keep ecosystems healthy.

Across the country, pollinators are essential partners in agriculture and food production. Without them, many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers we rely on would struggle to grow.

This month, we are celebrating the small creatures that make a big impact on our communities and encouraging Granges everywhere to think about how we can support pollinator-friendly spaces in our hometowns.

How is your Grange supporting pollinators, gardening, conservation, or local agriculture this summer? Share your photos, projects, and ideas in the comments! 🐝🌻

05/16/2026

This looks good … an opportunity to share your thoughts on yard care. There’s a range of dates for participating 🌼🌱🐝

The City of Kirkland is conducting a Behavior Change Campaign focused on natural yard care practices at home. This initiative seeks to better understand how residents currently care for and maintain their yards and lawns. The focus group will provide us with direct feedback from the community on perceptions, preferences, and practical considerations influencing decision-making. These efforts will directly inform future City programs.

Participants should reside within the City of Kirkland and have a yard/lawn at their residence that they have decision-making responsibility for. Please note that there will be opportunities for in-person and virtual focus groups, as well as virtual interviews. Participants will receive a $100 visa gift card as a token of appreciation for their contribution and time.

A full job description for focus group participants is available at www.kirklandwa.gov/stormwater. Interested individuals can fill out the potential participant questionnaire at www.surveymonkey.com/r/KirklandFocusGroup. Questions should be directed to [email protected].

05/01/2026

We learned so much from Julie O'Donald's lecture on Landscaping with Native Plants at Kingsgate Library sponsored by the Friends of the Kingsgate Library! Washington Native Plant Society is a wonderful resource to find out more.

04/29/2026

If you are thinking about having your property certified as a Wildlife Habitat, you have two more days to take advantage of the Native Plant Month discount!

04/28/2026

We are looking forward to joining Julie O'Donald to learn about Landscaping with Native Plants this Thursday, April 30th at 10:30am at the Kingsgate Library! KCWH volunteers will be there with information on how to get involved and create a healthy and diverse habitat one yard at a time. We hope to see you there!

Discover tips on choosing native plants that will give your landscape a sense of place and ease of maintenance. Julie O'Donald is a Community Wildlife Habitat Steward with the National Wildlife Federation as well as a long-term volunteer for the Washington Native Plant Society. She will share her ex...

04/22/2026

From all of our members to all of you, happy Earth Day. May you find a moment to reflect on and appreciate our beautiful and fragile planet. Perhaps you will consider making a change, big or small, that will help our planet and all its inhabitants flourish. A few suggestions...
1. Garden for wildlife 🐦
2. Stop using harmful chemicals in your garden
3. Water wisely 💦
4. Plant a native plant that supports biodiversity 🕷️
5. Limit meat consumption 🐮

If we all make simple changes they will add up to a big change. 🌎

04/12/2026

Remember, what you might consider a w**d is a necessary food source for these bees.

04/07/2026

This exquisite maroon flower of native wild ginger is now in bloom. This plant makes a gorgeous ground cover in moist partial shade.

Spikes of false Solomon's seal are coming up vigorously, getting ready for May flowering of fragrant white clusters.

Photos from our very own member Marilee Henry in her yard in Finn Hill, Kirkland Wa.