Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Garcia. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Sustainability Expert and Enviroscape founder Mike Garcia began his career in the horticultural field more than 40 years ago. After earning his college degree in Environmental Horticulture, he earned his C-27 Landscape Contractors license and his D-49 Tree Service Contractors license. Under his leadership, Enviroscape has won numerous landscape and water feature awards at the local, state, national, and international levels. Some of these include awards from the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Enviroscape’s work has been featured in numerous magazines, such as PONDS USA and Pond and Garden Lifestyles Magazine, and numerous times in the Los Angeles Times. Guest appearances on the hit television shows “Extreme Home Makeover,” HGTV’s “Landscaper’s Challenge, and A & E’s hit series “Fix That Yard.”
Mike holds a certification in Permaculture Design and has earned his certification as a California Naturalist.
Enviroscape’s most notable pond can be found at the Science Museum in downtown Los Angeles.
The Enviroscape crew built the 50-foot waterfall at the world-famous Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.
Enviroscape specializes in drought-tolerant gardens and drip irrigation. Mike’s also completed the course in Forest Bathing.
Mike’s latest passion is the art of creating backyard Food Forests.
Mike is also certified as a Master Health Coach.
Mike was inducted into the Green Industry Hall of Fame in 2023, which was televised on PBS.
Specialties: Full-Service Landscape Installation Company, which specializes in native, water-saving drip irrigation and drought tolerant/native gardens, Ponds, Aeroponic and Aquaponic systems
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path of entrepreneurship is simple but challenging. “Get in, Get out, Get paid” is Mike’s motto on making a sustainable business which will last the test of time. In order to keep a business sustainable, one must carry the proper credentials and insurance for the unknowns that may happen when you hire people. You can control system; you can’t control the everyday human interactions that happen from second to second. One truism that has been consistent with my business is that you will always get what you want if you help enough people get what they want! (I’m a big fan of Zig XZglar and Tony Robbins). I start my day about 4:00 am and get my workout done, as well as mental prep with meditation for the day. Organization is key to getting the most things done in a day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
There are many aspects to what I do for work. As an award-winning landscape contractor, I have come to concentrate on the things I love most, which is creating art with plants and stones. Incredible landscapes start with an exceptional landscape design, which requires thoughtful research and knowledge on a plethora of subjects such as soil types, LED lighting, plants and trees, mulches, boulders, rocks, and pebbles. Because we specialize in water features, we are also experts with all things ponds, including water plants, fish, rocks, pond waterproofing, and pumps to move water. We are also making a name in the world of Permaculture, where we build outdoor food forests in backyards, and we call this Foodscaping. We also get joy from our volunteering for community projects, which teach children about the importance of knowing where their food comes from and, most of all, the importance of planting native plants, which will keep Pollinators alive because humanity cannot live without pollinators. If pollinators become extinct, so does mankind. If you want to save the world, simply plant a native plant!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Partner with nature! When I was just starting out in the 1970s, everybody thought that you could get better garden results from spraying synthetic chemicals into the garden. It was “Better gardens thru chemicals”. Here we are decades later, and the ones who will pay for mankind, putting profit before people, is the upcoming next generation. I stopped by the hardware this morning, and there was a product on sale right by the front door. This product has been on the news the past couple of years. The makers of this product have been sued and paid out billions of dollars, and yet, the product is still on shelves for sale! The best gardens are those that protect homeowners and their children. DO not spray harmful pesticides and herbicides. You can do everything that the big chemical companies promise, but safer when you use permaculture principles to partner with nature!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EnviroscapeLA.com
- Instagram: EnviroscapeLA
- Facebook: Enviroscape
- Linkedin: Mike Garcia Enviroscape
- Twitter: EnviroscapeLA
- Youtube: EnviroscapeLA
- Yelp: EnviroscapeLA
Image Credits
Mike Garcia
