Have you noticed more ‘dirt’ and less ‘soil’ on your sites, despite applying all the fertilizers, herbicides and growth inhibitors recommended by the industry?
If you want to reduce your inputs and associated costs while improving results in the landscape, it’s a good idea to consider incorporating regenerative practices into your work.
“Landscaping has slipped into ‘outdoor janitorial service,’” says Lauren Galanes, regenerative landscape manager for Gachina Landscape Management, based in Menlo Park, California. “Understanding soil, local plant material and pruning techniques, how to preserve the microbiome – this is horticultural knowledge that we need to re-infuse the industry.”
Galanes and Jackie Ishimaru-Gachina, president and co-founder of Gachina, will cover practical regenerative strategies and how to overcome common barriers against them during their session, “How to Start Applying Regenerative Landscape Practices in the Field” on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m. at ELEVATE.
Galanes says while the company has included regenerative practices well before she joined in 2013, they adopted a regenerative focus in 2021. She says the team reached this decision as it was the best direction for the health of their employees, company and communities. She adds this also prepares them for any future legislation.
“In the early days of practicing regenerative landscape management, we approached it from a ‘product’ perspective, or a particular ‘activity’ to perform,” Galanes says. “We learned about water management, sheet-mulching and turf conversions, helping clients reduce their water use while maintaining beautiful properties. We now understand it is a perspective, rather than a suite of products.”
Practical Strategies for Strengthening Landscape Performance
Galanes recommends landscape companies shift from a janitorial approach and return to horticultural practices. Many of these changes are inexpensive, such as utilizing local compost and mulch.
“We drive mulch as our best organic weed control method with the bonus of conserving soil moisture, protecting topsoil, and breaking down to provide soil nutrients,” Galanes says. “Keep the soil covered. Mulch can also include living mulch, such as native groundcovers.”
She says using soil testing can also inform you of the soil needs without overapplying products.
“We have increased our focus on soil health, choosing a locally produced organic soil biostimulant/fertilizer product to use company-wide,” Galanes says. “We base application rates on soil analyses, and change or eliminate amendments to meet those needs. We source amendments and other materials locally whenever possible.”
Galanes says that finding local sources not only helps with supply chain headaches but also creates a circularity in community economics.
Other practices Gachina uses include smart water management and integrated pest management.
“For example, pruning to improve air circulation to reduce and prevent powdery mildew often eliminates the need for fungicide,” Galanes says. “Using beneficial nematodes for grub control in turf or ornamental grass areas. Grubs are eliminated, soil microbiome is preserved, and we can avoid synthetics altogether.”
Galanes says one key to effectively adopting regenerative practices is training your field crews. It isn’t so much about them re-learning their profession, but explaining why the processes they already practice matter, and how those processes shape landscape health. She says the steepest learning curve is with IPM as crews struggle to unlearn the ‘spray it’ reaction.
One major benefit of adopting regenerative practices is that once a landscape has transitioned, it will require fewer amendments, fertilizers, pest control products, applications, water, and labor to maintain.
While these changes are not radical, this transition will take time.
“It will be a 3-5 year process for a heavily chemical-dependent landscape,” Galanes says. “Cold turkey is not recommended; transition your company and sites, and it is barely perceptible. And not irreversible.”
Balancing Regenerative Practices with Client Preferences
Galanes acknowledges that some clients still prefer old methods and aesthetics, and they will accommodate their needs. However, they also make a point to provide information about a material, technique or treatment so their client is fully informed about options and impacts.
“Regenerative sites are resilient and climate-ready,” Galanes says. “Drought and heavy storm events combined with compaction and infiltration issues cause failures, flooding and general destruction. Regenerative landscapes absorb and retain water, preventing damage and supporting appropriate plant life. This is future-proofing.”
Not only does regenerative landscaping help with weathering drought and heavy storms, but having a biodiverse, biophilic landscape also boosts property marketing values.
She adds that when they explain their regenerative differences, they generally find great support from their clients.
“Client priorities include consistent communication, performance and cost for a well-maintained and aesthetically inviting landscape,” Galanes says. “And in our market, budget creation for excellent planning. Many of our clients request a more organic approach away from chemicals, particularly in HOA communities.”
Ready to move beyond theory and discover practical regenerative strategies? Register for ELEVATE, and we’ll see you in Tampa, Florida!
