The Nursery at Environmental Concern is dedicated to reducing waste and protecting the environment. 

Water Conservation & Pollution Prevention:

• Nutrient Management: Most of the growing area is graded to drain into a series of three inter-connected ponds which filter out sediments and nutrients protecting San Domingo Creek and the Chesapeake Bay from possible contamination. 

• Sub-Irrigation: Our wetland plants are staged in plastic-lined water boxes. Plants receive water from below. Not only do water boxes hold water for the sole use of the contained plants, they eliminate run-off of any nutrients within the potting media, and reduce the spread of foliar plant diseases. In addition, the boxes collect and hold rainwater reducing overall demand from other sources. 

• Cyclic Irrigation: The nursery uses timers to practice cyclic irrigation. Plants receive careful doses of water to reduce over-saturation and prevent valuable water resources from washing off the land.

• Slow Release Fertilizer: We mix slow-release fertilizer into the soil mix, rather than using water-soluble fertilizer, to reduce nutrient run-off.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM): In the nursery and landscape IPM is the Eco-friendly way to control pests that uses a combination of biological, mechanical, cultural, and physical methods with chemicals as a last resort. 

Solid Waste Reduction: We recycle or reuse pots and trays used in our growing operation.