Business Details
Trusted Landscaping & Garden Management in Palo Alto
Ruskin Gardens has been designing and managing award-winning gardens for over four decades. We specialize in estate garden management, irrigation optimization, and sustainable landscaping solutions that honor original design intent. Our team combines deep horticultural knowledge with technical expertise to maintain peak plant performance across Silicon Valley and the Peninsula. With certifications in landscape contracting, irrigation management, and arboriculture, we deliver precision care that aligns with evolving environmental needs.Our approach emphasizes collaborative partnerships with landscape architects and clients to ensure long-term garden vitality. The company's foundation in physics and systems thinking enhances our problem-solving capabilities while maintaining a commitment to natural beauty and ecological balance.
Services
Estate Garden Management
Irrigation Management
Farm to Table
Soil Microbiology Care
Aesthetic Pruning
Pest Management
Water Budgeting
Edible Gardening
Highlights and features
- Over 40 years of Peninsula gardening expertise
- Certified professionals in irrigation and arboriculture
- Systems-based approach to garden management
- Commitment to sustainable horticultural practices
- Proven track record with landscape architects
Associations and certifications
- Licensed Landscape Contractor
- Certified Irrigation Manager
- ISA Certified Arborist
- Certified Irrigation Technician
- Master Gardener
What people say
Award-winning gardens
Unparalleled commitment
Collaborative teamwork
Sustainable practices
Technical expertise
Services
Estate Garden Management
Our Estate Garden Management service maintains landscape integrity through technical horticulture and design preservation. We implement customized maintenance plans that address soil health, plant performance, and aesthetic continuity. This comprehensive approach ensures estates maintain their original design vision while adapting to natural growth patterns.
Irrigation Management
Irrigation Management optimizes water usage through system audits and customized scheduling. Our certified technicians implement precision watering strategies that reduce waste while maintaining plant health. This service includes regular system checks and budgeting to ensure efficient water stewardship for residential properties.
Farm to Table
Farm to Table integrates food production into residential landscapes through customized edible gardens. We manage planting cycles and harvesting while maintaining aesthetic coherence. This service combines permaculture principles with gourmet gardening to produce fresh ingredients for estate residents as part of our comprehensive garden management.
People
Amy Palmer
CEO
Amy Palmer, CEO, has over two decades of landscape contracting experience. She holds a BS in Physics and combines technical expertise with horticultural knowledge. Certified in irrigation management, she established the company's maintenance division in 2001.
Donna Driscoll
Chief of Staff
Donna Driscoll oversees business strategy and operations. A Master Gardener with horticultural expertise in soil microbiology and edible gardening, she integrates sustainable practices while managing organizational development and team coordination.
Shirin Cooper
Arborist
Shirin Cooper, ISA Certified Arborist, specializes in aesthetic pruning techniques. With nearly a decade of experience, she applies scientific pruning methods to enhance tree structure and maintain natural beauty across managed properties.
Will Callen
Irrigation Manager
Will Callen manages irrigation systems with over a decade of technical experience. Certified in irrigation technology, he implements water conservation strategies through system design, permaculture principles, and customized watering schedules.
Shannon Harris
Farm to Table Specialist
Shannon Harris oversees edible garden development with permaculture expertise. Certified in integrated pest management, he combines sustainable food production with plant health care while maintaining ecological balance in estate landscapes.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We specialize in estate gardens across Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, and the greater Peninsula region.
Do you offer standalone edible garden services?
Our Farm to Table service integrates with comprehensive garden management—not available as a standalone offering.
Are your team members certified?
Yes, we employ certified irrigation technicians, arborists, and Master Gardeners with specialized horticultural qualifications.
How do you maintain original landscape designs?
We collaborate with landscape architects to preserve design intent through technical assessments and horticultural feedback.
What water conservation methods do you use?
Our irrigation management includes system audits, water budgeting, and customized scheduling to optimize efficiency.
