Water Wise Organic Gardening in Santa Barbara

Helping Santa Barbara residents maintain their property, without harming the environment. Dave’s experience in organic gardening and permaculture design, helps you get the most from your property, without the use of chemicals that sterilize your soil and high water use. We specialize in drought tolerant landscaping, green builds and organic maintenance to take care of your garden & landscape. As a certified Water Wise Landscape Professional, Dave’s knowledge is current and cost effective. 

 

Dave's Organic Gardening is Permaculture Design Course Certified by Santa Barbara City College.

Santa Barbara City College's Green Gardener Program Certified.

Watershed Wise Landscaping Certified for gardening in Santa Barbara, CA.

Better Business Bureau accredited Dave's Organic Gardening in Santa Barbara, CA.

  • These guys are great and true to their name. Extensive knowledge of organic gardening practices. They work hard and show up on time. Reasonably priced and easy to talk to. Double thumbs up.

    Meg W.

  • I've known Dave a few years now, and have used Dave's Organic Gardening a number of times. He has always delivered good service in a timely manner, at fair rates. He just removed a bunch of ornamentals that were encroaching the driveway ( this week ). In the past year he removed a huge amount of very heavily ingrown English Ivy. This was a big job but Dave knocked it out beautifully, and helped us remediate the area afterwards. Dave left our place a lot better than he found it. We will continue to use him with confidence.

    Johnny S.

  • I'm so happy to have found someone as dependable and reliable as Dave. I really appreciate that we can email ideas back and forth and that he's easy to communicate with. Dave is happy to share ideas and suggestions - never pushy and always a good listener. He's obviously dedicated to the good health and balance of my yard and plants, and things are so much improved since he's taken over from my week-end warrior model! I had some camellias that would look good for about one month a year, then start looking sad and blighted. Under Dave's care they are improving all the time. Thanks Dave!

    Lauren M. - https://www.yelp.com/biz/daves-organic-gardening-santa-barbara-2

  • Sweetwater Collaborative sought Dave's expertise in making compost tea for us to improve the soil for a food forest project we were working on. Dave was prompt and courteous and had good follow through. He went out of his way to deliver the tea the first time, and had it ready for pick up when we did that two weeks later. The tea looked good; effectiveness is only measurable over time. He invoiced us for his work and kept good records. Dave also explained the process and equipment he used to make the tea, which gave me added confidence in his product. 7/11/2015 Now two years have gone by. Sweetwater has continued to rely on Dave's Organic Gardening to provide compost tea for most of our workshops. We have found that it really makes a difference when we plant trees after first soaking them in Dave's tea, and pouring it at the bottom of our rain garden basins. We highly recommend Dave as a first rate source of compost tea.

    Barbara W. - https://www.yelp.com

  • I recently hired Dave to care for our garden. After I explained to Dave, what I wanted, we negotiated how much time he would need. I was so pleased when upon his next visit, he remembered and completed each task I had requested. Our yard is beginning to look cared for and he is bringing it back to its original glory. He is a really nice guy to have around, a good listener and I am able to text/email him, any requests I have for ongoing work! I feel like I have an ally in the garden, someone who cares as much as I do. He is on time, fairly priced and honest.

    Geri R.

  • Dave's Organic Gardening helped us create a totally organic garden for the first time and we couldn't be happier! Our garden has been ridiculously bountiful and we learned many interesting permaculture techniques, like composting, planting symbiotic plants together, and attracting natural pollinators. I also feel like working with Dave helped me really understand the joy of gardening. Now I love getting my hands dirty and eating loads of homegrown, organic produce with my family. Give Dave's Organic Gardening a try!

    Chris C. - https://www.google.com/search?ei=uKAdW8OYAum7tgX3w53IBw&q=Dave%27s+Organic+Gardening%2C+Santa+Barbara%2C+CA&oq=dave%27s+organic+gardening+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.2.35i39k1j0i22i30k1j38.89867.91090.0.94535.6.6.0.0.0.0.127.697.0j6.6.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.697....0.fsvEC405dDY#lrd=0x80e91520be072449:0xf5c39566eb7de408,1,,,

  • Dave has helped us get a handle on our "all garden style" front and back yards and now we are enjoying working in the yard in between the work Dave does for us. He has been a tremendous help! Dave listens to what we are requesting while providing valuable information along the way.

    Zeina Ellis - https://www.google.com/search?ei=uKAdW8OYAum7tgX3w53IBw&q=Dave%27s+Organic+Gardening%2C+Santa+Barbara%2C+CA&oq=dave%27s+organic+gardening+&gs_l=psy-ab.1.2.35i39k1j0i22i30k1j38.89867.91090.0.94535.6.6.0.0.0.0.127.697.0j6.6.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.697....0.fsvEC405dDY#lrd=0x80e91520be072449:0xf5c39566eb7de408,1,,,

  • Dave and his crew have been caring for my garden for a few years now, and it has never looked better. He has weaned me off using chemicals, and introduced me to ways of keeping the garden looking beautiful without them. I enjoy working in the garden myself, and Dave is able to understand what I want and how to make that happen. I have been extremely happy with the work he has done for me, and I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for a knowledgeable, reasonably priced and hard-working gardener.

    Mark B. - https://www.yelp.com

  • Dave's Organic Gardening helped us create a totally organic garden for the first time and we couldn't be happier! Our garden has been ridiculously bountiful and we learned many interesting permaculture techniques, like composting, planting symbiotic plants together, and attracting natural pollinators. I also feel like working with Dave helped me really understand the joy of gardening. Now I love getting my hands dirty and eating loads of homegrown, organic produce with my family. Give Dave's Organic Gardening a try!

    Chris C.

  • We hired Dave after our previous gardener no-showed several times and when he did show up, we were not pleased with his services. Eventually, we fired him after several chances and hired Dave. Dave made an appointment and showed up on time. We told him what we were looking for and needed. We have a small garden in our back but it is full with native plants, roses, honeysuckle, hibiscus, an aloe tree and various succulents. When we hired Dave we thought the aloe tree was going to have to be replaced but he brought it back to life. Further, the garden is RADIANT and THRIVING. He is always on time, returns text messages, communicates extremely well and is very fair in his pricing. If he doesn't know something, he researches the issue and find out for you rather than telling me incorrect information. He just recently made us a beautiful raised redwood veggie garden and high enough for me due to my disability and it is GORGEOUS. I very rarely take the time to right such a good review on an individual for his services, but Dave is above and beyond. I recommend him highly.

    Cheri O.

  • Dave is great - his work is high quality, affordable and thorough - he put in a raised garden bed for me recently - and I love it!

    Naomi - www.yelp.com/

ORGANIC GARDENING AND EDIBLE LANDSCAPING IN SANTA BARBARA, CA

Dave's Organic Gardening Owner Dave Hundsaker with truck.

ORGANIC MAINTENANCE

  • Vegtable Gardens
  • Soil Remediation with Compost Tea
  • Build Native Habitat for Bees & Butterflies
  • Irrigation Efficiency Distribution Unformity 
  • Rain Gardens – Watershed Wise
  • Proper Rose Pruning and Care
  • Fruit Tree Care & Maintainence 
  • Organic Compost & Mulch
  • Water Wise Irrigation
  • Organic Weeding and Hand Weeding
  • Organic Pest Management
  • Turning Compost Piles
  • Soil Building and Composting
  • Rainwater Tanks and Rainwater Gardens

Organic Oranges in Santa Barbara, CA from Organic Gardening client of Dave's Organic Gardening.

GREEN GARDEN BUILDS

  • Build Veggie Planters Big and Small
  • Drought Resistant Sod Installation
  • ‘Water-Saving’ Sprinkler Systems Installed
  • Pathways
  • Rock Wall Construction
  • Build Compost Bins
  • Install California Native Habitat
  • Hummingbird Garden Installation
  • Food Forest Design and Installation

RECYCLING GREEN WASTE

  • Grass and Leaf Recycling and Composting
  • Nutrient cycling to reduce greenwaste
  • Reduce 50% of your greenwaste
  • Permaculture and Landscape Design
  • Worm Composting (Vermiculture)

GROW ORGANIC FOOD AT HOME

Helping Santa Barbara residents learn to grow their own veggies and fruit. 

IMPROVING YOUR PROPERTY

Thinking about removing your lawn, but don’t know what to do next? Deciding to go with Dave as your organic gardener will help your property look it’s best, and contribute to your healthy lifestyle.  Dave’s service is competitive in price to most conventional gardeners, but leaves your property able to thrive with less expense and disease in your plants.  Organic soil continues to get better with time, unlocking more nutrients in your plants and food.

 

Set an example and go green today with Dave’s Organic Gardening!

 

DAVE’S SERVICE AREA:

Raised Garden Bed built by Santa Barbara gardener, Dave's Organic Gardening.

Q&A : WHY ORGANIC LANDSCAPING AND HOW DOES IT SAVE MONEY?

WHAT IS A WATERSHED WISE LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL?

I am certified as a Watershed Wise Landscape Professional meaning I am conscious of how my actions as a gardener result in runoff to our streets, creeks and ocean. I am able to design and build rain gardens for your home, capturing water when it’s abundant from storms, and remediating soil to be healthy for you and your community.

WHAT IS SOIL BUILDING?

Soil building is simply bringing the microorganisms, fungi, and minerals back into your soil, in order to sustain larger organisms and plants on your property. This may seem hard, and yes there is a science to it, however we execute many great techniques that produce healthy soil in a short amount of time. Soil can die off from pressure, the drought and from chemical applications such as weed killer. We avoid chemicals and repopulate microorganisms that can use the water, keeping the moisture in the soil.

WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?

A rain garden is a garden designed to capture a large amount of water, soak it in, and use the water efficiently for a long time afterwards. This is a wonderful addition to your drought scorched property and will be so pleasing to watch the effects of each rain.

WHY SHOULD I COMPOST?

Composting is the best way to turn your food scraps and greenwaste into a very valuable addition to your garden. I can teach you or simply produce excellent compost in your backyard. By producing your compost close to your garden, you culture your local microorganisms and supercharge your soil.

DO YOU ONLY PROVIDE SERVICE TO CLIENTS IN SANTA BARBARA?

No, we also provide organic gardening and organic landscaping in Montecito, Goleta and Carpinteria.

WHAT IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGULAR GARDENING & ORGANIC GARDENING?

When hiring any “Regular Joe” off the street, there is a lack of education about plants, soil, pruning and the use of nasty products like fungicides, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Most gardeners aren’t licensed to even APPLY the chemicals to your property and when they do, they over use these nasty chemicals, which in turn run off into our ocean and seep into the water table. Organic gardening does not use any of these products. We have friendlier ways to solve your problems, and know the benefits of healthy soil, mulch, proper irrigation and correct pruning.

HOW DO I REDUCE MY WEEKLY GREENWASTE?

By cutting up greenwaste and mulching it beneath the plant it came from or adding it to a fresh compost, we are able to maintain precious nutrients on your property. This also means less waste ends up in your Santa Barbara greenwaste can. I’ve found we can reduce your greenwaste by 50%, and I’m proud of the results!

I CAN’T KEEP ANYTHING ALIVE, CAN YOU HELP?

Yes, it’s very obvious to a trained gardener where a problem starts, maybe it’s your frequency of watering or the amount, maybe you just need a compost tea to get your soil living again. We can work together to identify the issue in your garden program.

CAN YOU INSTALL AND HELP ME GROW ORGANIC VEGGIES AND FRUIT?

Yes! We can help you grow your own nutrient rich food, with a low risk of failure. We can help you skip all the hardships of figuring it out on your own, and share some secrets for Santa Barbara’s freshest fruit and veggies.

COMPOST TEA, WHAT IS IT? CAN I DRINK IT?

Compost tea is a pro-biotic and fungi rich plant fertilizer, brewed by me with a special recipe I’ve crafted over the years. The “tea” is full of beneficial microorganisms that have likely disappeared from your soil, leaving your plants lacking in nutrients. With just a few applications of compost tea, your yard will be able to connect roots to the soil through mycorrhiza fungi. This starts an exchange of nutrients between the two, creating an extremely productive symbiotic relationship.

WHAT IS A FOOD FOREST?

A food forest is a term from Permaculture describing a forest of trees that are edible, mixed in with other trees or plants that support the fruit and nut trees in the forest. This system creates a very stable environment with very little input. There are food forests still intact today that have been around for hundreds of years in Morocco and Thailand. We can include elements of a food forest on your property, or go all in and invest in a future of food for your family.

CALIFORNIA IS IN A DROUGHT, WHAT DO YOU DO TO REDUCE WATER AND STILL HAVE A NICE LOOKING LANDSCAPE?

I love to work with succulents and craft Xeriscape gardens or we can simply use some of those elements in places around your home to use less water. I also have helped my clients find where they are using more water then they need to, which often results in healthier plants. I’m also certified in rain garden creation which plans for the event of rain by making a garden ready to manage the water on your property. We capture as much water as possible, and try to conserve it so the plants can use it efficiently. Rain gardens are a beautiful addition to your yard and can be a joy to watch grow, as well as a smart design in the California drought.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Contact me, I’ll meet you at your property and we can observe your yard together. We’ll then decide on how often I will visit for service, and we will begin helping your yard or garden.

DO I NEED A LOT OF AREA TO HAVE AN ORGANIC GARDEN?

It would be ideal to have a lot of space for an organic garden, but I can design around the constraints of your property. We can plan for plants that grow more vertically, we can introduce curves to maximize space, or we can even use dwarf trees if you’d like. The options are endless, so don’t get discouraged about your garden dreams.

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED GREEN GARDENER?

Santa Barbara is lucky to have such a strong organic gardening community. One of those is the Green Gardener Program, taught by Oscar Carmona and sponsored by Santa Barbara City College. This is an in-depth class designed to turn any conventional gardener, into an organic gardening guru. I am proudly certified through this course, and my gardening assistant as well.

WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT GOPHERS?

Gophers will be reported to you and then I forward the information to a professional trapper. I’ve tried it all, but my expertise is in plants and I choose to focus my time on your garden. I do use gopher wire to cage in the root ball, which is the best line of defense for gophers in Santa Barbara.