Put simply, sustainability is about taking a long term view of our use and stewardship of resources with the goal of minimizing our impact on the world that we live in.
Rainwater Harvesting
Our nursery captures tens of thousands of gallons of stormwater each year with our three rainwater harvest and re-use systems. We capture the water through our three rain gardens, which clean and infiltrate the runoff from several roofs. Our permeable natural stone and paver patios also infiltrate this stormwater and keep it on-site.
We’re able to use this captured stormwater at our nursery, which means that we’re reducing our reliance on municipal water while also saving stormwater from entering neighboring streams or sewage treatment plans—a double win.
We believe in educating the public about the benefits of rainwater harvesting, which is why we encourage visitors to our office so that they can see how our systems work. We’ve also donated our time to install and maintain eco-system ponds, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting at local schools so the students can learn about rainwater harvesting and enjoy their beauty.
Energy Efficiency
For over a decade, 100% of the electricity used at our nursery has been offset by wind power. We also conserve energy with high-efficiency pumps in our water features and LED lighting.
Recycling and Composting
We carefully separate the materials that come off our projects, which allows them to be recycled or composted rather than going to waste. We composting organic material, such as grass and tree clippings, and save and re-use soils and paving materials.
Native Plants
In our landscaping work, we purchase locally-grown plants and materials whenever possible. Native shrubs, perennials, and trees are our first choice in plant selection, and we promote good plant growth by encouraging healthy soils using compost, organic mulches, bio char, and naturally occurring root zone microbe enhancements. By selecting native plants, we also encourage bio-diversity—providing the flowers, fruits, and habitat needed to support birds, butterflies, bees, and other organisms.
Integrated Pest Management
We use integrated pest management to help minimize chemical inputs in our landscapes, and our team members are trained and certified in the materials that we use.
Green network and associations
Our commitment to sustainability extends into our professional associations such as the Sustainable Business Network of Philadelphia, the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Partners, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, The Morris Arboretum, and several community organizations focused on stormwater education and control.
We also are proud of our long association with the Philadelphia Water Departments Rain Check residential stormwater control program. Learn more about the Rain Check Program.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
