environmentally friendly

Bugging Out To Save Trees

| February 23, 2017 | Categories: Agriculture and Farming, Environment, Gardening, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Indoor Plants, Nature and Wellbeing
If UC Santa Cruz music professor David Dunn scores a hit with his latest composition, he’ll have millions of listeners, maybe even hundreds of millions. But they won’t be spending a dime, and they won’t be singing or dancing. They’ll be dying. For ten years, Professor Dunn has created music using sounds in nature, specifically the sound of bark beetles in California’s forest as they munch on trees. Aggressive bark beetles make a LOT of noise. They also contribute to widespread tree destruction, which has been made worse due to several years of drought. His recordings of bark beetles were turned into a CD called “The Sound of Light in Trees.”… Read More

Naughty or Nice: Good Earth Plants Gets Into The Christmas Tree Debate

| December 4, 2014 | Categories: Agriculture and Farming, Architecture and Design, Biophilia, Environment, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Sustainable Living
A Christmas tree farm in Iowa. Photo: WIkipedia
The debate about real versus artificial Christmas trees used to be all about authenticity versus convenience. But these days, it’s also about which tree is truly the most earth friendly. The debate rages on, starting up every year about this time. It never seems to be settled, because both options have their naughty and their nice aspects. Believe it or not, the first artificial Christmas trees were made from toilet brush bristles in the 1930s by the Addis Brush Company, true – and eww! But don’t worry, most of today’s trees are made from metal and PVC, a petroleum based plastic product.… Read More

You Don’t Need 4th of July Fireworks to Show Patriotism

| July 3, 2014 | Categories: Environment, Good Earth Plant Company
In April 2010, San Diego Magazine named me one of four regional “Eco-Warriors.” Since then we’ve affectionately adopted the name on our business cards and uniforms. We are all “Eco-Warriors” at Good Earth Plants and our sister company GreenScaped Buildings. My son Ted Photoshopped my head onto Superman’s body complete with a flowing green cape, shorts and boots, giving us an endearing image of what an Eco-Warrior might look like. San Diego attorney and Coast Law Groups Managing Partner Marco Gonzalez was also named an “Eco-Warrior.” He is also the former attorney for the well-regarding environmental organization San Diego Coastkeeper. Marco is one of a small handful of activist attorneys taking on high-profile and publicly controversial matters inappropriately sited desalination facilities, statewide septic system regulation, and irresponsible highway widening projects.… Read More

Planting A Seed: Remembering Loren Nancarrow

| January 2, 2014 | Categories: Gardening, Media Coverage, Plantscaping, Sustainable Living
So much has already been said about San Diego environmental reporter and author Loren Nancarrow following his death from brain cancer at age 60 last week. The feelings of loss and sadness expressed by so many people were a tribute to how much of an impact he had made, probably more than he realized. Loren was one of the first members of the San Diego media to recognize the importance of rethinking our relationship to the environment and nature. It went beyond just the general gardening tips and maybe water use tips that you would read reports about or see on TV from time to time.… Read More

Good Earth Plants Green Guide to Buying Christmas Trees

| November 30, 2013 | Categories: Environment, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Sustainable Living
“It’s coming on Christmas,” and like the song says, “they’re cutting down trees.” But wait, who would’ve guessed that buying a pre-cut, real, 100% natural Christmas tree is the “green” way to go? My friend Peter Gaughen is a true Christmas tree expert, and Peter schooled me in why choosing a real fresh cut tree for your home is the sustainable, responsible choice for those who are looking to decorate with a traditional Christmas tree. Peter knows what he’s talking about. After 35 years in the business, he operates one of the best tree lots in San Diego County with the greatest variety of trees.… Read More