Our Story

We Don't Just Design Gardens.
We Build Ecosystems.

GreenRoot was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2007 by a team of ecologists, landscape architects, and soil scientists who shared a conviction: that genuinely sustainable gardening begins underground.

How We Began

Rooted in the Science of Living Soil

Our founder, Dr. Elena Vasquez, spent a decade as a soil ecologist researching mycorrhizal networks in Pacific Northwest old-growth forests before recognizing that the ecological intelligence of those systems could — and should — be applied to designed landscapes.

GreenRoot began as a small consulting practice advising organic farms on soil biology. Today we work with residential garden owners, municipal parks departments, corporate campuses, and ecological restoration projects across 32 states — but our methodology has never changed. We start with the soil.

Work With Us →

Core Principles

What We Believe About Gardens

Soil First

Every decision begins below the surface. A thriving soil ecosystem — rich in microbial diversity, balanced in chemistry, and excellent in structure — is the foundation of every successful garden, without exception. We spend more time testing and amending soil than any other practice in our workflow.

Ecological Function Over Aesthetics

We design for function, and beauty follows naturally. When plants are well-matched to site conditions and arranged to support one another ecologically, they thrive with minimal intervention and become more beautiful — and more interesting — over time.

Long Horizons

We think in decades, not seasons. The investments that build soil organic matter, establish deep-rooted perennials, and create habitat for beneficial organisms pay dividends for generations. Clients who invest in this approach spend less and grow more over time.

Zero Synthetic Chemistry

We have never recommended a synthetic pesticide, petroleum-based fertilizer, or soluble synthetic nutrient to a client. Not once. The ecological toolkit — compost, cover crops, companion planting, biological controls, and soil amendments — is fully adequate for every challenge we have encountered.

The People

Our Team

Dr. Elena Vasquez

Founder & Chief Ecologist

PhD Soil Ecology, Oregon State University. 20 years studying mycorrhizal networks in Pacific Northwest ecosystems before founding GreenRoot in 2007.

Marcus Chen

Principal Garden Designer

MLA Landscape Architecture, Penn State. Specializes in edible landscapes and polyculture design systems for residential and commercial clients.

Amara Osei

Water Systems Engineer

BS Civil Engineering, UC Davis. Leads all irrigation design, rainwater harvesting, and greywater reuse projects across GreenRoot's client portfolio.

Our Journey

18 Years of Growth

From a one-person soil consulting practice to a full-service ecological design firm, every chapter of GreenRoot's story has been defined by our commitment to science-led, nature-rooted horticulture.

2007

GreenRoot Founded

Dr. Vasquez establishes GreenRoot as a soil ecology consulting practice advising organic farms in the Willamette Valley.

2011

Residential Design Launch

Expansion into residential garden design following demand from farm clients for home garden consultations. First three full design projects completed in Portland.

2015

National Practice

First out-of-state projects in California and Idaho. Remote consultation model developed, enabling GreenRoot to serve clients across the country.

2019

Water Systems Division

Amara Osei joins as Water Systems Engineer, formalizing GreenRoot's irrigation and rainwater harvesting design capabilities.

2025

1,200+ Gardens Transformed

GreenRoot marks its 1,200th completed project — a rooftop polyculture garden on a commercial building in downtown Seattle.

Credentials

Professional Certifications

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Certified Horticulturalist

American Society of Horticultural Science

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Organic Land Care Professional

NOFA Organic Land Care Program

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Certified Irrigation Designer

Irrigation Association of America

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Soil Science Society Member

Soil Science Society of America

We Don't Just Design Gardens.We Build Ecosystems.