CHOOSING A LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL
The Environmental Center has launched a new From the Ground Up Industry Partners program to help homeowners identify environmentally responsible landscaping businesses in central Oregon.
Central Oregonians want to do the right thing for the environment, including adopting environmentally responsible lawn and garden practices. Homeowners want to feel confident that when they hire a company to do their landscaping, the company shares their environmental ethic. But quickly finding such a company is often difficult, especially for newcomers to the region. Our Industry Partners pledge to follow sustainable landscaping techniques, from design to installation and maintenance.
From the Ground Up Industry Partners pledge to follow a minimum set of sustainable landscaping techniques, including:
- Conserve water and prevent pollution by incorporating xeriscaping principles into all landscape designs.
- Create healthy soils by using compost to amend existing soils in all installations.
- Prevent pollution by using slow release organic fertilizers when installing any new plants.
- Conserve water by adjusting irrigation systems throughout the year based on weather conditions or installing a weather-based system that adjusts automatically.
- Recycle nutrients and promote healthy soils by grasscycling all grass clippings on-site or taking all grass clippings at the composting facility at Knott Landfill.
Our Industry Partners also pledge to provide their customers with environmentally responsible options in the following areas: landscape design and plant choices, including turf grasses; drip versus standard irrigation; and regular aeration and thatching of lawns in the spring and fall. In many cases these options cost a bit more up-front but save money over the long-term.
For a current list of From the Ground Up Industry Partners, click here.
For a more detailed brochure describing how to choose an environmentally responsible landscape professional, email info[@]envirocenter .org or call at 541-385-6908.
