Defined by the Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA): “Ecological Landscaping is a method of designing, building, and maintaining landscapes that considers the ecology of a site and creates gardens that enhance the surrounding environment for the benefit of humans and all other life in the ecosystem.”

Some of our practices include:

• Prioritizing dense plantings of native plants

• Working with existing soils (choosing appropriate plants)

• Reducing the use of imported mulch

• Using quiet, low-emissions electric equipment

• Never spraying chemicals

• Never using chemical fertilizers

• Considering transportation (fuel use/carbon emissions) in all aspects of our work

• Minimizing or not using even organic forms of insect control, taking a very precautionary approach

• Organizing work to be seasonally appropriate

• Working with existing materials

• Planning gardens to require minimal to no ongoing irrigation

• Observing consistent areas of moisture planting or hardscaping appropriately rather than engineering extensive infrastructure to dry out the land