Gayle Lynn Falkenthal

Time For Thanks At Good Earth Plant Company – Thanksgiving 2020 Edition

Who knew when I took this photo back in January 2020 what the year would bring? But we made it - Happy Thanksgiving 2020! Photo: Jim Mumford
Thanksgiving 2020 has arrived, and I’m so glad for the break. I’m sure you are too. What a crazy year! And amazing as it seems, it felt like it went by faster than ever. Let the holiday season begin by telling the people in your life how thankful you are for their presence in your life. And I’m thankful I have a platform like this blog to say so in public! I’m thankful for: I’m starting with my work family. Honestly, I spend a lot more time with them than anyone else, other than myself. I’ll begin with established rock star Erin, our Office Manager.… Read More

Six Nature Videos to Savor From Good Earth Plant Company

The amazing, awe-inspiring Ōhaupō Tree Church In New Zealand is made from living trees. Photo: The Ōhaupō TreeChurch
We love nature videos. We post them from time to time on our Good Earth Plant Company Facebook page (and we hope you’re following us). I’m guessing you might have a little extra time this week? So we decided to step aside from our usual blog format and share some of our favorites with you. Amazing Amazonia In 2018, my son Ted and I took a trip through the Pantanal region south of the Amazon forest in Brazil. Talk about being immersed in nature! So I was thrilled when one of my favorite YouTube channels, Conservation International, produced a video a few weeks ago on the Amazon.… Read More

Lighten Up: Good News In A Dark World

Increasing expsure to sunlight during the shorter days can improve your health. Photo: Pixabay daylight
Are you feeling a little disheartened? This week’s contentious presidential election is hard on everyone whether you voted red OR blue. Coming on top of an especially rough year, it’s not a surprise if your mental health isn’t what it used to be. But don’t go blaming 2020 for your problems just yet. It might not be the only reason you aren’t your usual cheerful self. The weekend before Election Day, we went through our annual change back from Daylight Time to Standard Time in the United States. The 60 minutes we adjusted our clocks suddenly makes us aware we are slowly losing daylight.… Read More

Good People + Good Plants = Good Earth Plant Company Turns 43!   

Living the dream! #plantlife
The last week of October is kind of a big deal at Good Earth Plant Company. It’s true more than ever in 2020.  It starts off with my birthday on October 25 (and thank you for all the birthday wishes!). My favorite holiday Halloween comes in the middle. It ends on November 1 with the anniversary of Good Earth Plant Company, which first opened on November 1, 1977 as a flower bucket stand. It’s still nearly impossible for me to grasp, much less explain the entire 43-year trip. This year, hitting this milestone was far from a sure thing. The coronavirus pandemic packed a punch a lot of businesses couldn’t survive.… Read More

Chilling Out With Your Container Plants This Winter

It's a good idea to bring your tropical container plants inside when temperatures drop. Photo: Cottonbro / Pexels
In some parts of the country like San Diego, the transition from summer to fall to winter is subtle. There are no obvious signs like colorful fall leaves – unless you take the time to look. Liquid Ambar trees are starting to turn red, and both sycamores and cottonwoods in the valleys and canyons are turning yellow right now. But you can still feel the steeper temperature drops from daytime highs to nighttime lows and the steady cooling trend. Your container plants living outside feel it too. Some of them need protection from the coldest winter weather. In San Diego County, we have four climate zones – coastal, inland, mountains, and desert.… Read More

Resimercial Movement: Real and Here to Stay

The resimercial workplace of the future is likely to look more like this than the open office or cubicle farm. Photo: Iva Balk/Pixabay
I have always wanted to start a blog post this way. “Don’t you hate it when…” Don’t you hate it when people smash two words together to make another new word? It’s lazy. The words are always awkward. Athleisure. Brangelina. Resimercial. You probably know the first two words, but I bet “resimercial” is new to you. Resimercial is catching hold and it looks like it’s going to stick just like athleisure for a lot of the same reasons. It’s comfortable, and it fits. FYI: for those who don’t know it, “athleisure” is traditional athletic clothing like yoga pants which are now acceptable leisure wear.… Read More

Fall Pruning Tips for Your Indoor Plants

Help your plants stay healthy and grow strong with timely fall pruning. Photo: Epsita M / Pexels plant pruning tips
You sure can’t tell by the San Diego weather, but fall 2020 is in full swing. You might not be feeling it, but Nature knows. Even your indoor plants know it’s fall. They also know winter is coming. Your indoor plants have been busy all spring and summer using the sun’s energy along with your regular care and watering to focus on healthy growth. Now they’ll be ready to settle in for the winter and rest. To preserve your good health, you visit your doctor every year to get a checkup. It helps you catch any health problems early so they’re easier to treat.… Read More

Party With Plants! – National Indoor Plant Week

My plant friends and I are ready to live it up for National Indoor Plant Week! Photo: Jim Mumford
It’s officially National Indoor Plant Week. Yes, it’s a real thing! It’s right up there with Naked Outdoor Gardening Day in May. It is celebrated the third week of September every year. This is one holiday COVID-19 can’t ruin for us. Your indoor plants deserve a celebration. They’ve kept you happier and healthier during the pandemic. You don’t have to worry about social distancing with your indoor plants. You can gather and party all you want, no masks required! To Good Earth Plant Company, 2020 has been National Indoor Plant YEAR. People have purchased plants in record numbers. Nurseries and garden centers remained open as essential businesses.… Read More

Tips for Buying A Healthy Indoor Plant

Use our tips to bring home a healthy indoor plant you'll love for many years to come. Photo: Daria Shevtsova/Pixabay healthy indoor plant
So you have decided to get on board with the indoor plant trend and add some indoor plants to your office or home. Great news! Your friends at Good Earth Plant Company compliment your good decision to bring nature into your indoor spaces. Our whole business is built around enriching peoples’ lives with plants. We know you’ll enjoy your new green roommates. It can be a real downer though when your new plants don’t flourish. It’s depressing to watch it die on you. We don’t want this to happen! Short of taking one of our horticultural technicians with you while you’re shopping, follow Good Earth Plant Company’s tips for bringing home a healthy indoor plant.… Read More

#StayPlanted with Purpose

Our donated plants find new homes with the new residents of the Alpha Project's brand new residence in Imperial Beach. #StayPlanted
This week, Good Earth Plant Company worked on one of its favorite assignments for the Alpha Project. A brand new Alpha Project homeless shelter opened in a completely renovated hotel in Imperial Beach.  It’s a safe and secure place focusing on housing families.  We provided a little extra plant love to warm up the new residences. We donated some of our client plant returns for common areas and hallways, and anywhere else Alpha Project wanted to put them. It gives us joy on so many levels. We re-home these plants where they can find a new purpose. It’s like adopting a new pet from a shelter.… Read More