Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ladov.
Hi Lauren, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Gardening has saved my life. As someone who deals with mental and physical health issues, gardening was one of the first things I found that actually made me feel better and provided a directly therapeutic outlet. I pursued learning about agriculture and gardening, working in several diverse communities throughout New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlanta. For over 10 years, I worked with farms, school gardens, markets and nonprofits supporting ethical and equitable food production and access. Recognizing how much healing was happening all around me, I decided to dedicate myself to cultivating landscapes that are healing for both people and the surrounding ecology. I started my business while looking for jobs with other companies, thinking it’d be an “in the meantime” gig. But, my business quickly grew through an incredible network of friends and neighbors, so I eventually went all in!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s definitely been a road full of dirt, mud, scrapes, bruises, sweat, bug bites, and heat exhaustion. I think the main struggle has been more internal though, figuring out how to truly value myself and then assert that value externally. Agriculture and landscaping work is a job sector that has such an intensive history and culture of exploitation. This sector so often relies on exploiting labor, land, and resources. There is a perception that it is “unskilled”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. So many of my jobs have been low paid or unpaid, with rarely ever an opportunity for benefits or upward mobility. It’s hard not to internalize all this and perpetuate the devaluation. I’m truly grateful for my community, mentors, and friends who have continuously reminded me of my worth and talents, who uphold a high respect for this knowledge and craft, and who push me to push back on anyone who thinks otherwise.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ladov Landscaping?
Formed in 2022, Ladov Landscaping is a woman-owned small business based in Stone Mountain, GA cultivating ecological, edible, and healing gardens throughout Metro Atlanta.
Like me, my clients also find healing in the garden: From someone growing specialty vegetables to celebrate their cultural heritage, to stressed out parents brewing a calming herbal tea from plants in the yard, to community members planting a tree in honor of a loved one lost too soon. These gardens have the power to heal.
And it’s not only for people, but for plants, pollinators, and the planet alike. By using ecological horticultural techniques, our landscapes are healing everything around them. We help welcome back birds and butterflies by providing habitat, improve soil health by composting and adding organic amendments, manage water effectively by controlling flooding and erosion and generally rejuvenate the well-being of our environment.
We offer consultation, design, install, and maintenance services, as well as educational and therapeutic programming to the community.
As a relationship-centered business, we strive to create meaningful, sustainable, and rejuvenating connections. From backyards to sidewalk strips, every space has the potential to heal and thrive.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m lucky I haven’t accidentally lopped off a finger or been attacked by a nest of yellow jackets (though there have been some very close calls!)… I also feel extremely lucky to have such an incredibly supportive and wide community network. The majority of my business comes from referrals, which not only means I barely have to do any marketing, but also means that I get to meet, connect and work with neighbors, friends, friends of friends, their coworkers, someone’s mother-in-law, chefs, herbalists, fitness instructors, filmmakers, artists, doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors, activists, nonprofit leaders, other small business owners, and the list goes on. It’s such a joy to be connected to so many people from such a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, who are all so passionate about caring for the land and spreading the plant love!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ladovlandscaping.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lladov/
Image Credits
Lauren Ladov
