At Ecogardens we consider landscapes a vital asset to keep air, water, and soil healthy and clean. Nature already provides us with strategies to minimize pollution. Our job is to incorporate these natural processes into our landscapes to enhance urban life. Our sustainable practices start in the office and extend to all of our Design / Build / Maintain services.

Design

Biodiversity and Native Plants
True biodiversity is crucial for environmental health. Landscapes that incorporate a variety of organisms, like single-celled bacteria in the soil, are better suited to resist and recover from disease and other environmental threats. The use of native plants ensures a landscape will thrive in the local climate. Likewise, native plants support local wildlife that might otherwise struggle in developed areas.

Bioinfiltration
Bioinfiltration systems like rain gardens are most beneficial in cities, where rainfall washes pollutants that have collected on roofs and streets into runoff. Large amounts of this runoff can overwhelm water treatment centers, leading to sewage overflows and poor water quality. Rain gardens are shallow, landscaped depressions that naturally promote absorption and infiltration of storm water runoff.

Phytoremediation
Decades of industry have resulted in the buildup of chemicals and metals that, while benign in small doses, become environmental hazards in large amounts. By designing landscapes with plants that naturally filter these toxins from soil, air, and water, we use phytoremediation to defend against industrial pollution.

Build
Responsible Sourcing of Materials
When it comes to sourcing materials, we research production methods to ensure they are non-hazardous, and avoid the extraction of virgin materials whenever possible. We source all of our steel locally to cut down on travel distance, and emphasize materials with long lifespans that can be reused or recycled after use. We also encourage the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products, which verifies sustainable lumber practices throughout the world.

Reuse and Recycling
Once a job is complete, we store and reuse all quality surplus materials. Any material unfit for reuse is recycled through local companies. We've even found a partner to recycle the plastic pots that compose a large percentage of our waste, and which nurseries won't reuse. Local cooperation, global benefit.

Conscious Vehicles and Equipment
All of our gas-run equipment meets California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards, and our diesel-engine trucks and equipment are powered by soy-based B-100. In addition, we use electric-powered, rechargeable equipment whenever possible.

Maintain

Chemical Independence
A healthy landscape relies on healthy soils. The use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and herbicides kills many beneficial bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that provide plants with required nutrients. At Ecogardens, we nourish life in the soil with organic amendments to build long-lasting plant care.

Integrated Pest Management
Likewise, our comprehensive pesticide strategy eliminates the need for chemicals by combining natural strategies to control unwanted pests.

Yard Waste Composting
Certain yard waste, such as grass clippings and trimmed tree branches, can either remain on the landscape to provide plant nutrients or be processed in compost. Developed compost can then be reused as natural fertilizer.

Safe Cleaning Products
Whether indoors or outside, we clean with only non-toxic, biodegradable, and cruelty free products.

Office Conservation

At Ecogardens, our day-to-day office activities abide by the same ecological standards we apply to landscaping. We use only energy-efficient, CFL lighting and safe cleaning products. We recycle all paper waste and follow paper-reduction practices, such as strict double-sided printing, and the use of non-paper fax machines that operate electronically. In addition, all of our printing, including all advertising, is done with vegetable-based inks.