Environmental Stewardship
“We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it. The one acts upon the other and every abiding change in the life of man is the result of these mutual reactions.”
- Shoghi Effendi
At Blacklotus Landscaping, we are conscious of sustainability and environmental stewardship. We believe that responsible landscaping practices can enhance the beauty of the land we live on while also protecting and preserving our environment for future generations. By working together, we have the power to create sustainable landscaping sanctuaries that inspire us and also nurture the health of our planet. We are working towards solutions that are more than just sustaining existing landscapes. We are seeking abundance and thriving ecosystems that blends harmoniously with human every day life.
In Our Daily Operations
We understand that stewardship is not just a concept, but a way of life. Our joy comes from incorporating environmentally conscious practices into every aspect of our daily operations. From the equipment we use to the native keystone species we plant, we strive to be in a constant mode of learning while being at the forefront of action in the realm of restoring the environment.
Mulches
An essential element in our services is the incorporation of natural mulches such as wood chips, compost, and bark. These help to retain moisture in the soil, prevent soil erosion, lower irrigation budgets, and over time break down and build soil health. Wood chips are a natural mulch option that mimics the benefits of a fallen nurse log in the forest, making them an excellent choice for enhancing soil health over time.
Fertilizers & Composts
Over the years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to honing and implementing an organic program with the clear objective of nurturing soil health for trees, landscape plants, and lawns. Our approach involves incorporating a diverse range of elements, including aged manures, composts, and thoughtfully crafted soil mixes to restore often degraded and depleted soils. These materials are installed to enrich lawns, establish vibrant landscape beds, and create thriving food-growing areas.
Native and Edible Food Plants
Two of the most impactful ways that we can give back to our local ecosystem is through the incorporation of native and edible food plants, particularly keystone native species. Through this practice, we are not only restoring biodiversity but also providing for our food needs. From PNW native plant design to full edible landscapes with perennial and annual food gardens, there are many options that align with our commitment to sustainability while also creating a unique and abundant landscape for your home.
Battery Powered Equipment
We now use battery-powered equipment for all installation and maintenance crews and plan to increase the amount of battery-powered equipment over time. This includes backpack blowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, sprayers, mowers, and hand power tools. From decreasing our emissions to reducing maintenance needs and operating more quietly, the benefits are tremendous for the staff, company, and environment.
Biofuels and Vegetable-Based Grease and Chainsaw Bar Oil
Vegetable-based chain saw oil is a cleaner option for chainsaw operations. It has a wonderful smell of popcorn when in use. Vegetable oil is sprayed on our hand clippers to keep them lubricated. We have also now incorporated vegetable-based heavy-duty greases for our excavators and heavy equipment. These greases are marine grade and break down much easier in the environment. They also are highly effective. We are exploring options for bio based hydraulic fluids and other creative solutions.
Vegetation Control
As part of our commitment to sustainable practices, we actively participate in an organic weed control program. Our approach involves utilizing vinegar-based sprays, which offer a drastically more environmentally conscious solution to synthetic herbicide weed management. We have also explored the use of an iron-based, organic product specifically designed for broadleaf plant control in lawns.
Perception of what any given plant is has great power. We can view a particular plant as a horrible weed with no inherent value or we can believe the plant serves an important ecological function. For instance, dandelions, a common weed, can be used creatively for organic fertilizers, a calming coffee alternative, or stir-fried as a spinach substitute. The future of landscaping will be greatly influenced by the perception we have of the plants all around us and their inseparable connection with life.
What You Can Do
We believe that everyone can be in a mode of learning when it comes to sustainability and environmental stewardship and that each person can take thoughtful actions.
Grow Your Own Food
Not only does planting a vegetable garden, edible native plants, and fruit and nut trees allow you to enjoy fresh, nutritious produce, but it also reduces negative environmental impact and supports local ecosystems through biodiversity, water conservation, and reduced food waste. Not to mention reestablishing and deepening your relationship with nature.
Discontinue The Use of Synthetic Herbicides
Synthetic Herbicides can have toxic effects on people, pets, the water, and wildlife, and in some instances, have been proven to remain on the soil’s surface for longer than 10 years. Instead, use natural alternatives like vinegar-based sprays or other organic methods to manage weeds and pests.
Use Recycled Materials Instead of Landscaping Fabric
Landscaping fabric is a synthetic material that is often treated with chemicals and is not recyclable, does not prevent weed seeds from germinating above the fabric layer, and is very often regretted by families that installed it years prior. Clean cardboard or jute based burlap covered by compost or wood chips layers, on the other hand, can help smother weeds and grasses while breaking down and nourishing the soil over time. Be sure to lay down thick layers and leave no gaps or cracks in order to thoroughly suppress grass.
Conserve Water Use
Even though Washington appears to be a water-abundant place, many recent studies have shown that our current water management practices are depleting our local watersheds and particular species of large established trees are showing greater signs of heat/water stress in general. Water is a precious resource, and it's essential to use it wisely. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect water for irrigation, using drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to minimize water waste, mulching the soil to increase water retention, and choosing native drought-tolerant plants that require less water.
“Reflect upon the inner realities of the universe, the secret wisdoms involved, the enigmas, the interrelationships, the rules that govern all. For every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance.”