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It's easy to see why Maria Gonzalez is so popular. Her megawatt smile and thoughtfulness will light up a room. Combine that with a warm, caring personality and you have our selection for Good Earth Plants Employee Spotlight.
Maria has been an important member of the plant service technician team for five years. Her work is crucial, as a good plant installation doesn't last without continual care and attention. Maria keeps a close eye on small details from making sure the plant is beautiful to catching a potential problem early.
"I love what I do and I do what I love!" says Maria. "I wake up each day excited to get to work with clients and our team. The plants I service are like my children. I am always keeping a close eye on them, because if you don't, they will tattle on you by looking unhealthy," she says.
Maria finds the best part of her day is being "out and about" working with clients and providing special care to each plant.
At home, Maria can be found happily digging in her garden. Her favorite flower? Pansies.
A BIG Good Earth Plants thank you to Maria and the special attention she gives both people and plants.
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"My wife's a water sign. I'm an earth sign. Together we make mud." - Rodney Dangerfield "The philosopher who said that work well done never needs doing over never weeded a garden." - Ray D. Everson |
Thanks a Bunch!
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We are always so happy to receive thanks from our clients. This issue, we are proud to share a message from our customer, Patty O'Sullivan:
"I must say how wonderful it was to work with Kerry. From our first meeting, I was impressed with her plant knowledge and professionalism. She was excellent at keeping me in the loop regarding schedules and plans for my living wall. Installation went smoothly and the wall is a great addition to our home. I highly recommend Kerry and her staff for similar projects."
Thank you for the kind words, Patty. It was our pleasure to assist you with your beautiful living wall.
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| Letter from the President |
Spring has defiantly sprung, but I'm thinking maybe right into the summer with our recent high temperatures so early in the year.
With the temperatures being so high, we are diligently getting out to all of our exterior projects - the living walls, green roofs and outdoor planters - and making sure that they are well watered. Even with the best of care, plants that can normally take the heat suffer from heat stress, and it is causing us some stress as well. I can't imagine how farmers deal with these extremes.
Did you make it to our Open House and plant sale last month? It is so much fun to see clients, new and old clients and friends. Watch for the next one in September.
We have a full trade show schedule ahead: New Orleans for GreenBuild, Chicago for the International Garden Center show, Nashville for Healthy Cities and Denver for the American Society of Landscape Architects. I hope to see many of you at one or more of these business events. I promise to bring back all the good tips and share them in an upcoming newsletter.
I'm also finding time to meet my son Ted in Costa Rica. He is studying how globalization is affecting their culture and economy for a semester abroad offered by UC Davis. We will have a week to explore before we head back to San Diego together. If I could just get him to take horticulture classes. UC Davis is one of the premier schools for agriculture in the country. I could start planning my exit strategy. But no worries, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
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GreenScaped Buildings Catches a Wave with New Oceanfront Wall at Oceanside Springhill Suites
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GreenScaped Buildings is catching a wave. It's our amazing wall at the new SpringHill Suites in Oceanside. designed by Project Manager Kerry Bauer. Having seen our work at Fashion Valley, general contractor Garrett Faller of Ryan Companies contacted Kerry and the living wall project at SpringHill Suites began to grow. The project timing allowed the wall's living components to be grown from succulent cuttings rather than rooted seedlings. Careful consideration was given to choosing a palette of plant colors to perfectly compliment the ocean background. "The contemporary plant design draws inspiration from the ocean and coral reefs adding a vibrant water feel to the hotel property," says Kerry. GreenScaped Buildings worked with Green Meadow Growers to make sure the plant material would be fully mature prior to installation. Working with Ryan Companies, we were able to conceal the irrigation and drainage resulting in a seamless finish. "We worked closely with Ryan Companies to ensure both the structure and the living product came together to compliment the beachfront environment," Kerry says. "Both our client at SpringHill Suites and Mr. Faller at Ryan Companies were very happy with the final product." Thanks Kerry and installer Danny Barttels for the great work. Would you like your own living wall or rooftop garden? Contact Kerry Bauer at [email protected] for an appointment. Why not book your own summertime beachfront retreat at the SpringHill Suites in Oceanside? Visit the Marriott website. |
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Photos from Our Open House
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 | A view of our Open House and Plant Sale from above
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 | Exactly what we love to see: a smiling customer
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 | Jim Mumford and Dawn at the Open House
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Another Plant in the Qualcomm Wall Thanks to GreenScaped Buildings
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As it was being built, it was referred to as "The Wall." And while the massive 24 x 8 foot project wasn't made by Pink Floyd or climbed upon in "Game of Thrones," this wall was installed at Qualcomm by Good Earth Plants as a decorative piece at one of its main dining rooms.
The wall is located in an area inaccessible for watering and routine care. Qualcomm made the decision to install an eight-paneled "artificial" wall of lush-looking replica plants. Installed almost 20 feet above the floor, the project presented some interesting challenges for GEP General Manager Debbie Hopkins and her staff.
"Working that high up required planning and safety precautions," said Debbie. "We made sure that every seam aligned perfectly, even 20 feet off the floor. As large as it was, the manufacturing and installation went beautifully."
The project material included Styrofoam, sheet moss and plywood along with many replica plants and succulents.
"Danny, Cleto, Celso, and I spent two days installing the wall and making sure the panels all met up seamlessly and matched in color. We used a mechanical lift and Danny was in a safety harness to complete the installation," said Debbie.
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| Good Earth Plant Company is Hiring |
 Good Earth Plants and GreenScaped Buildings are looking for talented, experienced individuals to join our team. If you are interested in the plant industry, living architecture and keeping the world green, please visit our website for more information and to apply. |
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