Good Earth Plant Company
As Thanksgiving approaches, we reflect on the people, opportunities, and experiences that fill our lives with gratitude. At Good Earth Plant Company, working with plants every day reminds us that nature has so much to teach us about thankfulness and balance.
1. The Gift of Patience
Nature operates on its own timeline, and it teaches us to slow down and trust the process. A tiny seed doesn’t become a tree overnight; growth takes time, care, and consistency. Plants remind us that good things are worth the wait and that small, steady efforts often lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the value of patience.… Read More
Embracing Fauxliage: The Benefits of Artificial Plants
Good Earth Plant Company has once again caught the spotlight, earning recognition in an article by The San Diego Union Tribune titled “Decorating with Fauxliage”. The article explores the low-maintenance, hassle-free benefits of artificial plants, highlighting our commitment to enriching lives through the beauty of greenery.
Our president and owner, Jim Mumford, first connected with the article’s author, Caren Golden, years ago when we were first creating edible living walls for restaurants across the nation. While designing and maintaining living walls remains a vital part of our business, we’ve increasingly embraced projects that utilize replica plants and preserved moss.
As technology evolves, so does the quality of replica plants.… Read More
Overcome June Gloom: Refresh With Green
It’s that time again. The time when sunny San Diego braces for its annual retreat from the sun. When dark clouds bank the coastal landscape, tans fade, and moods go sour. It’s the time of the year when June Gloom has arrived.
While it might feel dreary outside, it’s the perfect time to bring bright vibes inside. Yes, we’re talking about plants and flowers (do we talk about anything else?). At Good Earth Plants, we specialize in “plantscaping”, offering a range of services that not only enrich lives, but also elevate your mood and improve your overall wellbeing.
The Power of Plants
Plants may as well be superheroes.… Read More
Good Earth Plant Company Turns 45 and We’re Thriving
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
Our Mission To Enrich Peoples’ Lives With Plants
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
Thanksgiving 2021: Warm Greetings and Gratitude
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
Take A Virtual Tour of the Good Earth Plant Company’s New Biophilic Warehouse
After more than four decades, Good Earth Plant Company has a brand new 2,000 square foot working warehouse and workshop facility. It’s been on our wish list since we moved to our Kearny Mesa property in 1994.
When I bought the property 18 years ago, there was a large, three-sided mechanic’s shed. It was torn down in 2007. Since that time, we used the old concrete floor as a large patio and created a “living lab” with examples of living walls. This is where the new warehouse sits. We relocated our living walls and they continue to thrive. We’ll give you a tour in a future blog post.… Read More
Taking Nature On The Road Again – Trade Shows Are Back
One more positive sign we are turning the corner from the coronavirus pandemic: Trade shows are back!
In the past month, Good Earth Plant Company set up a display booth at several trade shows. First, we participated in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Diego event. Next, we set up at the International Facilities Manager Association (IFMA) and Building Owners and Manager Association (BOMA) joint San Diego Chapter trade show. Our Business Development expert Dan Summers joined me here.
We also partnered with our clients and colleagues GMBi and BKM at the International Interior Design Association show. We didn’t have a booth ourselves, but we did attend and enjoyed the interaction. … Read More
Client Happiness and Health Always Wins Big
Good Earth Plant Company got a nice surprise this week: our living wall project at 655 W. Broadway has won a Silver Award in its category in the 2021 Biophilic Design Awards. We love seeing our client projects featured, and we love seeing everyone else’s work.
Awards make us feel great, but what’s more important about them is providing an objective measurement of the quality of our projects. Are we doing the best possible work we can for our clients? Where do we rate against our (mostly friendly) competitors? What can we learn from THEIR award-winning projects?
This project has a special place in our horticultural hearts.… Read More
Green Roofs Growing Strong!
It was 14 years ago this month when the first commercial green roof appeared on an occupied building in the City of San Diego. It was OUR main office at Good Earth Plant Company. You never forget your first!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years since we took this leap of faith, although it was made so much easier with all of the expert advice we followed and with the work of the partners who helped make it happen. So a few quick thank yous right at the start go to Ulf Waldman, Robert Thiele, Charlie Miller, Robin Rivet, and Paul Kephart.… Read More