Our Commitment to Sustainability
At Dennis’ 7 Dees, we work to be better stewards of our environment by educating home gardeners and offering sustainable landscaping services to our residential and commercial clients.
As a local leader in the landscaping industry, we have a critical responsibility to keep our city full of healthy, productive plants while keeping our waterways clean. We are committed to protecting the health of our communities, clients, and staff through ecological practices. For over 60 years, we have strived to stay up to date on evolving technology and plant-care techniques so we can offer efficient, environmentally responsible services and products, while still providing superior quality.
Electric Tools & Equipment
Dennis’ 7 Dees is at the forefront of electric landscaping equipment implementation in the Portland Metro region. We’re phasing out our conventional gas-powered equipment and replacing it with Gravely electric equipment to reduce noise, minimize user fatigue for our crews, and improve sustainability at the ground level. Our electric fleet includes battery-powered ride-on and stand-on lawn mowers and hand-held equipment such as string trimmers and blowers.
As technology continues to advance, we are excited to be at the leading edge of electric usage in the Pacific Northwest to continue our commitment to making the green industry more sustainable! Check out the Gravely (Ariens Company) article featuring our company’s efforts below!
Water Conservation
We partner with trusted irrigation system manufacturers to provide the latest in water-saving products and technology to our clients. You’ll save water and reduce your water bill while keeping your plants and lawns happy! When we install a Weathermatic smart irrigation system on your job site, you’ll get a program set to the specific conditions of your property along with instant tracking and reporting.
For more water-wise gardening, we can recommend plants (we love native plants) that require significantly less water, fertilizer, and chemical treatments, while still creating a beautiful landscape for both residential and commercial properties.
We even offer a grass seed blend that requires 75% less water than normal turf! Our commitment to water conservation extends to the education and training of our crews so they can act as an on-site resource for your property.
Organic Products & Reduced Reliance on Chemicals
Choosing products that minimize our impact on the environment is important to us. At Dennis’ 7 Dees, we maintain landscapes with the goal of reducing chemical use on plants. This includes integrated pest management, which takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options, including hand weeding and weed control through mulching.
Our landscaping and maintenance crews use premium fertilizer formulated from natural and organic ingredients that is OMRI Listed® for organic use. This fertilizer, along with other OMRI® products for plant health and disease control, can be used on operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program. Our garden centers also carry natural and organic soils, fertilizers, and controls at all locations.
Composting, Mulching & Recycling
Mulching grass clippings and yard debris back into the soil is an essential aspect of environmental stewardship that requires special equipment. Dennis’ 7 Dees is proud to partner with John Deere engineers to maximize mulching and create healthier, fuller lawns while reducing water and fertilizer use.
Grass clippings and other yard debris have traditionally been bagged and hauled to landfills or yard waste processing centers. For more than 20 years, we have been composting and recycling all organic yard debris. We also recycle and/or reuse paper, plastic, metal, batteries, oil, and other materials. We reuse all of our containers, reducing the need to purchase more and preventing them from being sent to the landfill.
Reduced Runoff & Erosion Control
We control stormwater runoff by installing water gardens, bioswales, and wetlands into our landscape designs, which naturally collect and filter pollutants, reduce flooding risks, and replenish groundwater. This protects our city waterways and helps prevent water from overwhelming municipal utilities.
Additionally, bioswales enhance biodiversity, provide habitat for wildlife, improve air quality, and contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of urban landscapes. By integrating green infrastructure like bioswales, cities can create more sustainable and resilient environments for both people and ecosystems.
Eco Roofs & Green Roofs
We install and maintain many green roofs, especially for our commercial projects. Green roofs offer a plethora of environmental and economic benefits. They contribute to mitigating the urban heat island effect by absorbing and evaporating heat, thereby reducing the temperature of the surrounding area. This not only enhances the comfort of city dwellers but also decreases the energy demand for cooling buildings during Summer, leading to lower electricity bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Green roofs also act as natural insulators, regulating indoor temperatures and improving thermal performance, which translates into reduced heating/cooling costs for buildings. Eco roofs also help manage runoff by absorbing rainwater, thereby reducing the strain on urban drainage systems and mitigating the risk of flooding. From improving air quality to providing habitats for urban wildlife, green roofs offer a sustainable solution for urban development, promoting environmental stewardship and fostering resilient cities.
