In the early 1980’s El Modeno Gardens, Inc. began researching the feasibility of installing a computerized environmental control system for the entire Irvine operation. The original emphasis of this project was to offset rising energy costs by heating and cooling greenhouses more efficiently and effectively. The emphasis shifted to water management however in 1986 when concern about agricultural runoff became an issue.

The QCom computerized environmental control system, which is referred to as the QCom system, was the software and hardware selected for this project because of its flexibility. It controls the heating, cooling, lighting and irrigation for the entire 95 acre operation.

The QCom system manages irrigation through a practice, developed at El Modeno Gardens, Inc., known as “Pulse Irrigation”. This practice has since become an industry standard and is taught at most University level Horticulture Programs throughout the United States. The result of “Pulse Irrigation” is the careful control of the amount of water applied and the reduction of the water wasted.

In addition to QCom, the Company uses drip irrigation and low volume sprinkler heads.

More recently, the Company added to its arsenal of environmental management tools, a vegetative buffer strip, which further eliminates nutrients and chemicals from the irrigation discharge.

Vegetative Buffer Strip with Canna 'Tropicanna'®

For El Modeno Gardens, Inc. the above described practices have resulted in approximately a 30% reduction in water usage, a 70% reduction in water runoff and a 90% reduction in nutrient discharge. Although the practices were initially developed at the Irvine facility, they have been adopted at all facilities for their long-term environmental benefits.

In 2002, El Modeno Gardens, Inc. received the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Award from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The award recognizes the Company’s practice of scouting for pests and diseases, spot treating to minimize pesticide usage, and using beneficial insects to control detrimental pests, as well as “Pulse Irrigation” in conjunction with the vegetative buffer strip to minimize and eventually eliminate nutrient discharge. This was the first time a large commercial nursery operation had received this award.

As a Company we continue to research and test new methods to further our goal of achieving best environmental management practices.