Gloved hands in garden soil
Heavy clay soil
Much of the west side sits on dense clay. It packs hard in summer and stays soggy all winter, so roots struggle and water pools.
Our tip: Work compost into whole beds, not just planting holes.
Home / Beaverton yard guide
Your Beaverton yard guide
Wet winters, dry summers and heavy clay make Beaverton yards a little different. Here's what we see most, and how to stay ahead of it.
What we see most
Common Beaverton yard problems
A mowed lawn
Moss in the lawn
Shade, compacted clay and acidic soil let moss take over lawns from fall to spring.
Our tip: Aerate in fall and mow higher. Killing the moss alone won't keep it gone.
A patchy, overgrown yard
Crane flies
European crane fly larvae feed on grass roots in late winter and early spring, leaving thin, brown patches.
Our tip: Check for larvae in early spring. A healthy, thick lawn usually outgrows them.
Yard cleanup in progress
Ivy & blackberry
English ivy and Himalayan blackberry are invasive here. They swallow fences, side yards and trees fast.
Our tip: Pull roots in winter while the soil is soft, and keep cutting regrowth.
Protect your home
A year of yard care in Beaverton
Sep–Nov
Fall
Aerate and overseed. Clear leaves before they smother the lawn. Best season to plant trees and shrubs.
Dec–Feb
Winter
Prune dormant shrubs and roses. Pull ivy and blackberry roots. Watch where water pools after storms.
Mar–May
Spring
First mow, fresh bark mulch, beds weeded and edged. Check the lawn for crane fly damage.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Mow high and water deep, early in the morning. Natives and established shrubs need little help.
Neighborhoods
From Central Beaverton to Raleigh Hills
We know these streets: the big firs in Highland, the newer lots in Murrayhill, the shady backyards near the creeks. Every yard drains, grows and gets sun a little differently, and we plan for that.
Good to know in Beaverton
Only rain belongs in storm drains. They run straight to local creeks, so keep grass clippings, leaves and fertilizer out of them. Planning to remove a large tree? Check with the City of Beaverton first, since some trees need a permit.
Central BeavertonFive OaksCedar HillsMurrayhillSexton MountainHighlandVoseGreenwayDenney WhitfordRaleigh Hills