Garden Cycles proprietor Steve Richmond

About the Proprietor 

Steve Richmond discovered his love of nature fifteen years ago while studying in Moscow, Russia, during a long winter (spring didn’t arrive ‘til May!).  Upon return, he started working for nurseries, landscapers, and restoration ecologists.  Steve founded Garden Cycles in 1998, combining his environmental concerns and his love of bicycling.  In 2003, he joined the Washington Native Plant Society and completed their Native Plant Stewardship Training.  He enjoys sharing his experience and is proud of his volunteer work restoring parts of Longfellow Creek and now Puget Creek in West Seattle.

Garden Cycles has an amazing crew of dedicated employees with over 40 years of experience dating to the first restoration following the Mt. St. Helens eruption.  Biographies are pending…

What we do

• Plant native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers
• Remove/control invasive plants
• Brushcut, grub, or apply cost-effective herbicide
• Suggest native plants for wildlife, drought tolerance, and erosion control
• Spread wood chips
• Sheet mulch and hand weed
• Make raised beds
• Prune fruit trees, shrubs (up to 12 ft.)
• Install surface drip irrigation
• Work on steep slopes; install erosion prevention fabrics, restore native vegetation
• Work with homeowners, municipalities, and non-profits.

Garden Cycles is a licensed, insured, and bonded specialty contractor (GARDEC*932JF).  Along with the spread of invasive species, Garden Cycles has grown to have six dedicated, part-time employees, and we are able to collaborate with other dedicated restoration companies if more hands are needed.

 What we’ve done

Most of our time is spent working in city greenspaces battling invasive species.  We’re particularly proud of our wetland restoration in Fauntleroy Park, and our work in Lincoln and Westcrest Park.  We do a lot of “vegetative management” on steep slopes for long-term erosion stability.  We enjoy converting lawns to wildlife habitat, and we now install “rain gardens.”

 Rates

 $50 per hour plus expenses; mileage & travel time outside of West Seattle.
For native plant restoration only (not ornamental landscaping), ask to be on our reduced-rate waiting list for slow times.

References are available on request – referrals are appreciated!  Thank you for your interest and efforts in native plant restoration.

Steve Richmond
(206) 650-9807;  fax (206) 763-0144 
steve@gardencycles.com