Quick answer
Practical, non-salesy guides to help Portland homeowners understand landscaping problems, costs and next steps before they call a company.
Last updated
All guides
- What Grass Grows Best in Portland, and Why Is My Lawn Full of Moss?
Ryegrass, fine fescue or tall fescue for a Portland lawn, plus why moss takes over in winter and what actually fixes it. Based on OSU Extension guidance. - How to Fix a Soggy Yard in Portland's Rainy Season
Why Portland yards stay wet from fall to spring and how to fix them: downspouts, Clean River Rewards, grading, French drains, rain gardens and slope safety. - Hiring a Landscaper in the Portland Area: Licenses, Permits and Cost Drivers
What Oregon licenses landscapers need (LCB, CCB, pesticide, backflow), which Portland-area permits apply to trees and walls, and what drives the price.
Sources and further reading
- Oregon State University Extension Service
- OSU Extension: Practical Lawn Care for Western Oregon (EC 1521)
- OSU Extension: Choose the right grass for your Oregon lawn
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
- Oregon Landscape Contractors Board: License requirements
- Oregon Department of Agriculture: Pesticide license types
- Portland Water Bureau: Backflow testing requirements
- Portland Water Bureau: Outdoor rebates
- Portland Water Bureau: Saving water outdoors
- Portland Bureau of Environmental Services: Downspout disconnection
- City of Portland: Tree removal and replanting permits
- City of Gresham: Trees
- City of West Linn: Tree removal permit
- Clean Water Services: Step-by-step process for homeowners
- Tualatin Valley Water District: Residential irrigation controller rebate
- Oregon State Fire Marshal: Defensible space
- USGS Landslide Hazards: Portland, Oregon
- National Weather Service Portland
- Dig Safely Oregon (Oregon 811)
- EPA WaterSense