Awards & Achievements

The Plantscape Hall of Fame Inducts Jim Mumford

| March 9, 2023 | Categories: Awards & Achievements, Biophilic Design, Green Roofs
We may all endure a lifetime of work, but very few of us are recognized for a lifetime of achievement. The people that stand out prove that passion and persistence are the keys to success. When other people ask, “why?” they ask, “why not?” Jim Mumford is one of these people with passion and persistence – and a love of plants. In his own words, “If I hear “no” or “that can’t be done” it means I try harder. I don’t give up easily.”  In the span of 45 years, Jim has gone from plant & flower seller, to plant expert, to interior plantscaper to global biophilic design thought leader, mentor and educator.… Read More

Good Earth Plants’ Moss Wall Wins Platinum

| February 8, 2023 | Categories: Awards & Achievements, Biophilic Design, Case Studies, Moss Walls
Good Earth Plants Moss Wall
  At the 2023 Tropical Plant International Expo, Good Earth Plant Co walked away with two big awards. First, owner Jim Mumford was inducted into the I-Plants Magazine Plantscape Hall of Fame and second, Good Earth Plants’ installation of a large-scale moss wall was recognized with a Platinum Award. The moss wall was one of Good Earth Plants most challenging projects to date for the size, but also the requirements of the 8′ x 50′ moss wall art. The wall is the common area of an office suite in a lounge / resimercial area with leather sofas and chairs. The client is a tech giant known for design, and they want their office to reflect their brand.… Read More

Good Earth Plant Company Turns 45 and We’re Thriving  

| October 26, 2022 | Categories: Awards & Achievements, Biophilic Design, Case Studies, Good Earth Plant Company
Who knew how big Good Earth Plant Company would grow 45 years ago?
At this time of year, most people focus on Halloween. At Good Earth Plant Company, we celebrate something surprising instead of frightening: our anniversary! November 1 is the day I founded Good Earth Plant Company, which first opened on November 1, 1977, as a flower bucket stand. It gets harder for me every year to believe the entire 45-year trip. Explaining it is a challenge too, but I’ll give it my best try. Over the few years, hitting this milestone was far from a sure thing. How many recessions have I weathered? Each decade and then the big one in 2009.… Read More

Celebrating 15 Years of Our Thriving Green Roof

| March 30, 2022 | Categories: Architecture and Design, Awards & Achievements, Environment, Green Roofs, Sustainable Living
My original green roof at Good Earth Plant Company in Kearny Mesa, still growing strong after 15 years.
Fifteen years ago this month, the first permitted commercial green roof appeared on a building in the City of San Diego at Good Earth Plant Company. Just a few days ago, I ran across the original invitation to our dedication event and even a copy of my speech that day. Today, the roof is still thriving and teaching us something new every day. Looking back on this milestone anniversary, I admit I took a giant leap of faith installing the roof in 2007. But my whole career has been filled with leaps and innovation. The only difference here was how BIG a leap it was.… Read More

New Thoughts for 2022 About The Nature of the Post-Pandemic Workplace

| March 23, 2022 | Categories: Architecture and Design, Awards & Achievements, Biophilic Design, Case Studies, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Indoor Plants, Nature and Wellbeing
Where would YOU rathr work? Our Second Edition white paper is optimistic about the future of the American office. Download your copy free! Post-pandemic workplace
The modern American office is now competing with the work from home (WFH) environment. Employees are voting with their feet for more flexibility in their lives. The days of the open office and cubicle farms are over. How should the workplace evolve? It was time for my colleagues and me with Silverado Roundtable to dig deep to offer human resources professionals, facilities managers, and the design community some tools to address the post-pandemic reality. We present The Nature of the Post-Pandemic Workplace – Second Edition. I never thought I’d write ONE white paper. Now I’ve written two! How did we get here?… Read More

Our Mission To Enrich Peoples’ Lives With Plants

| March 9, 2022 | Categories: Awards & Achievements, Case Studies, Good Earth Plant Company, Indoor Plants, Nature and Wellbeing
We're thrilled to partner with Paige Kries of Plant It Again. (L to R): Team member Laurie Boarders, Paige Kries, Jim Mumford, volunteer Margee Lawrence, and Kaylee Yoon. Photo: Paige Kries growing our mission
Time for some truth-telling on the blog this week. Our industry has a dirty little secret. Of all the environmentally responsible businesses in the world, you might think working with plants is especially earth-friendly. But in reality, there is waste associated with our business. Clients want their plants to look perfect. Living things are rarely perfect. We often swap out old plants that get too big for the space or aren’t doing well for some reason. Since we don’t want to spray anything inside your home or office, we always remove plants with disease or pest issues. We provide beautiful living art pieces that contain orchids and other flowering plants.… Read More

Celebrating Black Plant Entrepreneurs

| February 2, 2022 | Categories: Architecture and Design, Awards & Achievements, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Case Studies, Indoor Plants, Plantscaping
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShopDaniG black plant entrepreneurs
It’s important to us at Good Earth Plant Company to use our platform to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to horticulture and gardening during Black History Month 2022. Last year’s blog post on Black agriculture pioneers was one of our most well-read posts in 2021. Thank you! If you didn’t get a chance to read about Tuskegee University pioneers Dr. George Washington Carver and Dr. Booker T. Whatley, Frederick McKinley, Marie Clark Taylor, Abra Lee, and Ron Finley, you might consider taking a few minutes to get acquainted with these impressive people. But we barely scratched the surface. There are many more Black gardeners, designers, and plant stylists currently making news and creating a unique plant culture that’s flourishing.… Read More

Green Thumbs Up! Back to Business in 2022

| January 26, 2022 | Categories: Architecture and Design, Awards & Achievements, Case Studies, Indoor Plants, Plantscaping
Our annual trip to Florida kickstarts the year for us at Good Earth Plant Company. back to business
The past two years have been a long, hard journey. I don’t need to explain why. Finally, at the start of 2022, it seems there’s finally some sunshine and optimism. For me, I finally got to return to my favorite kickstart to the year at the annual Tropical Plants International Expo, AKA TPIE. This year’s conference moved from its normal south Florida location to Tampa due to renovations at the original venue. Green thumbs up for our new hosts, the location in Tampa Convention Center was convenient and walkable. The impressive displays, especially the thoughtful education sessions the conference committee put together, were outstanding.… Read More

Pantone 2022 Color of the Year Is Very Peri

| January 5, 2022 | Categories: Architecture and Design, Awards & Achievements, Biophilic Design
Feeling Very Peri! It's the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year. Photo: Jim Mumford
At Good Earth Plant Company, we look forward to the annual announcement of the Pantone Color of the Year. It’s true! And we know you do, too. We get a massive response when our review and critique of the annual announcement is posted. Everyone has an opinion about color. Every color creates different emotions and gives us all the feels: happy, sad, excited, calm, even hungry or relaxed. Our reactions have roots in psychological effects, biological conditioning, and cultural imprinting. Color is also tied to memory. Color helps the brain store and process images more efficiently than black or white. We remember colorful images better.… Read More

Thanksgiving 2021: Warm Greetings and Gratitude

| November 23, 2021 | Categories: Awards & Achievements, Good Earth Plant Company
Without any doubt, the best group of employees I've ever been fortunate to have as part of the Good Earth Plant Company team. Thanksgiving 2021
Thanksgiving 2021 has arrived, and I’m so glad for the break. I’m sure you are too. What a crazy year! Right after a crazy year. IS this now the new norm? Let your 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 publicly to everyone on the record. 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. Our culture has evolved into an outstanding place to work – I still have fun every day.… Read More