Dannie Butler
Puget Sound Plants, Orting, Washington
"We have been working with Sound Horticulture for several years, and their support has been a game changer for our operation. About three years ago Alison, from Sound Horticulture, came out to our site and helped us set up a biocontrol program for key crops that are susceptible to spider mites. Since then we have consistently used their predatory mites in 10 to 15 of our greenhouses each year.
This season, for the first time ever, we completed both our spring and summer crops without spraying any pesticides. The cost of the biocontrol program has more than offset the expense of spraying, while also providing the added benefit of reducing pesticide exposure for our employees.
Alison has been instrumental in helping us coordinate our seasonal needs and shipping schedules. Her expertise and ongoing support have been invaluable to our program. We truly appreciate the partnership and look forward to a long association with Sound Horticulture." September 2025
Kaitlyn Lamaster
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
"Working with Sound Horticulture has been great! Brendan was able to answer any questions I threw his way and talked through the issues we were experiencing and gave great recommendations for our needs. He helped ensure our orders all arrived at the same time and made the purchasing and shipping process incredibly simple. His help was incredibly appreciated, as he really took the time to ensure that our insect release was a success. He took a genuine interest in what we were doing and even followed up to make sure that we didn't encounter any issues.
We ordered Cryptolaemus, Aphidius and the aphid banker system. After ordering, we got live bugs and plants within a couple of weeks, and everything came in good health. Students were able to release the bugs as anticipated for a lab activity and observe their behavior and life cycles. The bugs themselves were in great shape and got to work right aways, controlling a mealybug issue within weeks of the initial release. The aphid banker plants were isolated and managed in tents to help keep our Aphidius population strong for months. We were able to do multiple releases of Aphidius thanks to this ready-to-go system they supplied!
I highly recommend using this company based on their prompt responses, excellent customer service and reasonable prices." March2025
Boston Swan
Debbie McIntyre
"From the moment we started talking, it was evident that Brendan had a deep passion for gardening and a wealth of knowledge about predator mites. What struck me most was his patience in educating me, someone with limited knowledge in this area. Brendan carefully listened to my concerns and identified the specific pests that were plaguing my garden. With great clarity, he explained which predator mites I needed to combat the issue. This expert guidance not only saved my plants but also saved me from the labor-intensive task of regular spraying.
Maintaining a garden had been a time-consuming endeavor, with up to 8 hours of spraying twice a week. The transition to using predator mite sachets was a revelation. It took me a mere 1.5 hours to deploy the sachets once a month, a fraction of the time and effort required for spraying. Brendan at Sound Horticulture proved to be more than just a supplier. He also took the initiative to keep track of when I needed to order new sachets, ensuring that my garden remained well-protected. He was always just a call away, ready to address any emerging issues. When I noticed white butterflies laying eggs on my buds, Brendan swiftly provided a solution and sent it over to me, which kept the threat at bay." November 2023
Tyler Beasley
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
Jesalyn Pettigrew
Mossy Gate Flower Farm, Mount Vernon, WA
"I learned all about Sound Horticulture this year through a wonderful small Zoom session Alison was holding with some of my local plant friends. Immediately I knew my son and I had to chat with her personally. I own a small seasonal cut flower farm in Mount Vernon, WA and my eldest son, age 11, is obsessed with insects and has been from a very young age! I call him my entomologist in the making. Alison came out to the farm, quickly identified pest issues and had a number of solutions we could try. We set out with a plan and my son and I have really enjoyed understanding every more about our environment! The insects we receive are healthy, active and making a noticeable impact quickly! We are so excited to continue working with Sound Horticulture as the farm grows and changes. Thank you Alison for being a go-to person with vast knowledge and a person my son can look up to!"
Nathaniel Atterberry
Director of Cultivation, After Glow, Arlington, WA
Jennifer Pramuk, Ph.D.
Animal Curator at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, WA, pictured with Anahi, the red-tailed boa constrictor
"We have been using Sound Horticulture's Strat mites for more than a year to control parasitic reptile mites in our Ambassador Animal snakes and lizards. Prior to using the mites, we had several, difficult-to-control outbreaks of reptile mites. Since we have been using them, we haven't had any further outbreaks. This has saved us on labor and other costs associated with using conventional chemical treatment of the reptile mites. Thank you, Sound Horticulture!"
Bill Vingelen, Head Gardener
The Herbfarm Restaurant, Woodinville WA
"I want to let you know that the compost tea from your supplies worked great this season!! I ran continuous batches most of the season and had great results. I foliar sprayed but mainly ran the tea into our T-Tape drip line using our EZ-Flow injector soaking each area about five times. I found that I needed less fertilizer and the corn, zucchini blossoms, basil etc...have all been vibrant and bountiful...Thanks!"
Brian Schrader
Life Gardens, Ellensburg WA
"Switching to a pesticide free IPM is scary for anybody, the team at sound horticulture got us on track right from the start with solid advice, dependable shipping and beneficials that arrived alive and hungry every time. Since working with sound horticulture our IPM spending is down, plant health is up and labor needs for IPM are lower. I would recommend sound horticultures practices to anyone in any agricultural operation seeking an alternative to chemicals."
David Stein
Raven Grass, Olympia, WA
"Sound Horticulture has supported our growing operation over the last year with top-quality fresh beneficial insects. They have worked closely with our tight production schedule, under a variety of evolving conditions to design a biocontrol program that truly fits our holistic system. Alison's diverse growing experience has given us helpful perspective. Her expertise in compost teas came as a nice bonus to working with her company! Now, our system is dialed!"
Stephanie Stika
Everyone who works here is so friendly, helpful, and most importantly knowledgeable. They always take the time to answer questions thoroughly, have fantastic suggestions and have totally transformed the way I operate my nursery. As an organic perennial grower I always strive for the most environmentally conscious manner of production. The team at Sound Horticulture has been an invaluable asset to me and my company.
JR Dutson
Awesome knowledgeable staff with great resources. They are on top of my list for dank organic solutions for pests and pathogens in our industry. We have been fans of Alison and Sound Horticulture crew for over a decade of excellent knowledgeable service. Highly recommended to all the organic growers of the conscience world!!
Lambert Growers
The 2024 growing season will be our 7th season working with Sound Horticulture and we couldn't be in better hands! Greenhouse production gets crazy, but the people at Sound check in with us every week to make sure we are on track for success. Alison initially helped us create a plan that we now base everything from. Using biological control is something we are very proud of at Lamberts and we couldn't have done it with out all the people at Sound Horticulture. Thank you!
Talitha Snow
Ali is and has been way ahead of the times concerning biological control in all its facets. Only few can provide her decades of experience then and now. I consider Alison and Sound Horticulture one of the pillars of my education that began 12 years ago. It has been paramount in the success we continue to have today needing only minimal use of pesticides as well as fungicides in our production of perennial liners from start to finish.
Gina Falcetti
Sound Horticulture has always been our go-to supplier for beneficials and other IPM products because of the depth of their knowledge with product use and their commitment to customer service. You can count on them to help work out innovative solutions to difficult pest issues that fit your budget.
Rebecca Sweet-Smith
Sound Horticulture has been my go-to for beneficial insects since 2009. I rely on their expertise on appropriate biocontrol organisms, and I know that the source only from the most reliable insectaries. They have exceptional customer service and are a joy to work with.
LWTech Environmental Horticulture
Sound Horticulture has been a great partner to work with over the last few years. We are an education-based horticulture program and benefit from our consultant's (Elaine Sawyer) extensive IPM knowledge and how to serve our cropping needs in a sustainable manner.
Marine Robey
Alison is an amazing resource! I’ve used several products from Sound Horticulture and I have yet to be disappointed. The folks at SH made sure I understood the directions and checked in with me after to see how it went. Great people, wonderful products.
Courtney Buckley
I've been in the Hort business going on 11 years, and using biologicals for the better part of 8 of those 11. The personal attention and follow-up from Alison, and her AMAZING team, is beyond expectations. The various products I order always arrive in fresh-fresh condition.
David Bernstein
This is who you want to work with and buy from. I have a large number of indoor plants--and some outdoor--and have bought beneficial bugs from Sound Horticulture a number of times. The first time I called and spoke with someone who talked me through taking detailed pictures of the pests I wanted to get rid of to make sure we selected the right beneficial. Since then I have recommended them to anyone trying to get rid of pests and have ordered from them again a handful of times. The most recent time I ordered I got something new. Unfortunately, despite EXCELLENT packaging, it arrived about 50-75% dead. I called and the owner answered. Her focus was "how do we make this right?" Nobody can guarantee perfection, and when their product fell even a little short of it they worked to make it right. For all these reasons, I have kept ordering from them, will keep ordering from them, and will keep recommending them to others. And I guess the important part: no more pests. I'm using their beneficials prophylactically - absolutely worth it. And a pleasure to give this business my money.
Katie Althoff
We have been using beneficials for almost 3 years and discovered sound horticulture about 5 months ago. We have been THRILLED with their excellent customer service, outstanding product, and exceptional packaging. Living in Texas and ordering these bugs can be tricky and I can say with full confidence that we have never received dead bugs or compromised packages. Everyone that has helped us has gone above and beyond any expectations! I am truly thankful our local house plant group found sound horticulture because they have made this process seamless and we are SO appreciative! Huge thanks to Alison, Wava, Brendan, Karen, and the team! - Katie and the DFW Plant collective community
Tracy Proud
I can't say enough good things about Sound Horticulture. Their knowledge and helpfulness has enabled me to toss the toxic pesticides I've been using for years and go the natural and organic route with total success. I battled Spider Mites for 15 years and they always won but with Alison's guidance I used new products and this year I had NO spider mite issues, and got to enjoy my dahlias all season.
Laura Klavitter
I have been working with Sound Horticulture for my Plant Shop business for over two years. They have been incredibly helpful in guiding me with our integrated pest management program. Very passionate team, eager to take the time to teach and respond to questions (which I have had many). Insects always arrive alive and active, and are packed extremely well to endure the wide range of environmental conditions we have here in Iowa. Would highly recommend as a company to trust for a robust IPM plan.
Marian W
I live in a large metropolitan area where I have lots of resources at my disposal regarding everything except gardening. I have done lots of research about safe and effective gardening practices (I garden on the rooftop of a 16 story apartment building). But it wasn’t until I spoke with Alison at Sound Horticulture that I felt 100% secure about information I was receiving regarding biologic controls and preventative strategies. She has answered all my questions, drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience, always with patience and enthusiasm. Alison has gone the extra mile to fulfill my needs and I am most indebted to her for making products available and for advice using them in an urban environment. It is a huge relief to know that I can depend on Sound Horticulture to supply products, I feel comfortable using in a densely populated area and to know that if I have questions I can trust the answers I will receive from a company dedicated to “Sound Horticulture” practices.
Brent Phillips
The people at Sound Horticulture are great. Their customer service wonderful, and they respond quickly. I've learned a lot by just talking with Alison. She's always offered sound advice and suggestions on how to handle different situations here at our farm. I couldn't be happier with the service that Sound Horticulture provides.
Joel Hall
I am the head grower of a cannabis farm in western WA and I have been working directly with Sound Horticulture for about 4 years now. They have always provided us with the best knowledge and products necessary to overcome our pest and pathogen issues in the garden. Alison has a wealth of knowledge and has always been quick to reply and has greatly helped us formulate our integrated pest and pathogen control program. 10/10 would recommend going through this business for your garden pest control needs, whether hobbyist or industrial.
Snuck Farm
As the manager of a commercial greenhouse, Sound Horticulture have been wonderful to work with. Customer service has always been exceptional and all of their products arrive exactly when they should. The beneficial insects always arrive packaged properly and completely viable. Highly recommended!