What is Ecological Landscaping?
Ecological landscaping is a thoughtful and sustainable approach to designing, installing, and maintaining gardens and landscapes that works in harmony with Nature. Rather than imposing a vision onto the land, it is about listening to the land- honoring the soil, the plant life, and wildlife within a unique habitat and ecosystem. These practices and methods focus on using native plants with a commitment to working with Nature, not against Her. Ecological landscaping is more than just a beautiful way to garden—it’s a meaningful and impactful way to care for the land, the community, and our future.
Benefits of Ecological Landscaping and Gardening
By using native plants and ecologically mindful methods, we can begin to restore the natural functionality of the land—supporting pollinators, birds, and wildlife, enriching the soil, conserving water, and reweaving essential ecological relationships. Native plants do more than beautify the land—they help heal it, and when used properly they create the framework for healthy, functioning habitats. Rooted in sustainability and guided by Nature, this approach brings a wide range of lasting benefits.
Support Biodiversity and Create Wildlife Habitat
A well designed ecological garden or landscape becomes a sanctuary—offering essential food, shelter, and breeding space for bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and other wildlife. We have the power and the knowledge to create and restore essential habitats by wisely planting native plants, keeping the leaves in our gardens and yard debris on site, and by refusing to use harmful chemicals on our land.
Improves Soil Health
Ecological landscapes and gardens promote healthy, living soil. Organic practices, composting, minimal disturbances, and the dismissal of chemical fertilizers and pesticides encourage nutrient rich, balanced soils that are truly alive with beneficial microbes and fungi. Healthy soils grow happy and healthy plants!
Water Conservation
Native plants are well adapted to local eco-regions, climate, and soil, requiring less irrigation once established. Careful selection of the appropriate native plants can mitigate flooding, retain water, and help with erosion control.
Connects Us to the Natural World
A beautiful garden, a thriving meadow, and all ecologically balanced landscapes invite us to slow down, observe, and reconnect. They remind us that we are part of the natural world—not separate from it.
As we work to bring more health and healing to the land, we also open ourselves to Nature’s powerful, healing energies. In tending to the Earth, we tend to ourselves—cultivating spaces that nourish both our environment and the human spirit.
The Roots of our Ecological Gardening Practices
We are committed to working in relationship with Nature, letting the land itself be our guide. We believe that the root of ecologically mindful gardening begins with careful observation and thoughtful plant selection. Choosing the right plants for the right places—based on the site's soil, light, and unique conditions—is the most important step in establishing a thriving, resilient, and biodiverse landscape.
Our commitment is shown through our practices
* We are educated and highly knowledgeable in native plants on both a broad and eco region-specific level, which means we understand the bigger ecological picture and the unique needs of our local ecosystems and habitats. This helps us choose plants that are well-suited, resilient, and beneficial to your landscapes. We plant the right plants in the right places! We share our knowledge with our clients and provide resources for further learning and exploration, and we value our continuing and professional education.
* We never use broad spectrum chemicals of any kind, and we do not work with people who continue to use them. We engage in targeted pest management practices using only OMRI certified organic products. We employ the use of horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, and botanical or essential oil products as needed. Plant derived insecticides break down quickly in the environment, unlike harmful chemicals which disrupt and pollute our soils and waters.
* We practice ecological garden maintenance — Gentle, intentional, and in tune with nature’s timing and the rhythms of the seasons.
- In the Fall, we leave the leaves in the gardens, and well as keeping some plant stems and seedheads intact to provide winter habitat to insects and bees. In the Spring, we allow the gardens to awaken slowly and do not clear things out too early so that the overwintering insects, bees, and other critters have time to emerge naturally.
-We tend to plants when they need it - Well timed deadheading and pruning promotes optimal plant health and can encourage secondary or ongoing blooming.
-We use properly timed hand-weeding techniques and focus on seed bank suppression to reduce weeding over time. Invasive plant species are managed and removed thoughtfully to minimize disturbances and to reach realistic goals.
-Importantly, we do all of this without the use of gas-powered tools—keeping our practices quiet, low-impact, and aligned with the values of ecological care.