JIM MUMFORD
Owner/President & Resident Horticulturist at Good Earth Plant Company Inc.
Since each green roof is unique, it is important to consult with an expert to know how a specific building can benefit from a green roof and how it can be implemented and maintained. We reached out to Jim Mumford, Owner/President & Resident Horticulturist at Good Earth Plant Company Inc. located in San Diego, California. Good Earth Plant Company focuses on providing “interior and exterior landscape design, installations and maintenance services,” which include “green roofs, living walls, tower gardens,” and more.
We first asked Mr. Mumford why he is passionate about green roofs. He believes that they are “the future of buildings and are the only art of a building that gets better over time.” Mr. Mumford also recognizes their environmental importance, stating that green roofs “provide a myriad of benefits for 1. the building owner (reduced energy costs, longer roof life, amenity roofs, aesthetics, LEED credits, more efficient PV) and 2. the community (habitat, storm water run-off, aesthetics).” He also mentions that energy savings depend on the amount of building stories, and that a typical one-story building can have “20-25% energy savings.”
Based on our initial research, our group understood that several materials and different processes go into green roof implementation. When asked how long a green roof takes to be installed, Mr. Mumford notes that his company conducts all installation above waterproofing, which includes the “protection layer, drainage, soil, plants, irrigation.” Since there are so many factors, Mr. Mumford explains that there is “no easy answer,” especially because “size, scope, and conveyance issues” would also need to be addressed. He also summarized that a green roof could typically cost roughly “$20 to $25 per square foot (large scale) or $35 to $45 per square foot (small scale).”
Once the basis of a green roof is installed, the soil and plants must also inserted. Mr. Mumford states that Good Earth Plant Company “uses a variety of succulents,” noting that “most sedums do not do well in southern California.” When asked how the plants and soils are chosen, he reveals that the selection is “client driven and soil blend is dependent on the load bearing and plant types.” Once a green roof is complete, it must be maintained. When asked how a typical green roof should be maintained, Mr. Mumford answers that “In the beginning, we [Good Earth Plant Company] go weekly for a month. We [Good Earth Plant Company] then go every other week for a month, down to once a month and then quarterly. We [Good Earth Plant Company] inspect and treat weeds, irrigation, fertilize as needed, wind scouring, prune, drains, plant stress, waterproofing.”
Lastly, since our project also focuses on a water collection sprinkler system, we asked if Mr. Mumford if he had advice for the best way to implement it. He recommends that we use the “largest possible holding tank.” He also notes to implement it professionally and ensure that the water can travel to where we need it to go.
We are very grateful that Mr. Mumford welcomed our questions. For more information about Jim and Good Earth Plants Company Inc, please visit their website at www.GoodEarthPlants.com. We thank him for his support of our project!
JIM MUMFORD BIO
Jim Mumford, CLP, GRP - Owner/President & Resident Horticulturist
Jim Mumford, a long time San Diego resident, began his career in 1977 with the opening of Good Earth Plant & Flower Company, a flower “bucket stand” in downtown San Diego.
Three decades later, Mumford is an award winning plantscaper, green roof and living wall designer, a sought after speaker and a recipient of numerous local and national awards. He is a Certified Landscape Professional, Accredited Green Roof Professional, licensed contractor and a nationally recognized plantscaper. Mumford is currently studying the relatively new fields of biomimicry and biophilia.
In March 2008, Mumford launched GreenScaped Buildings, an addition to the Good Earth family of companies, specializing in green roofs, living walls, bio-filtration and rainwater harvesting systems. His headquarters houses a “living laboratory,” testing new growing systems and products from around the world to ensure the success of his clients’ projects in the arid Southern California climate.
Frequently featured as a green building expert by local and national print and broadcast media including CNN and FOX Business, Mumford is also profiled for his entrepreneurial skills. He was named a California “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; one of San Diego’s “Top Influentials” by the San Diego Daily Transcript; and was recently a featured speaker at the TEDx Youth Conference in San Diego in November 2012.
Mumford is widely recognized for his work with the architectural and design communities, and is well known for his innovative leadership in the industry. Mumford contributes his time and shares his knowledge and experience through industry leadership roles. He is a past president and current board member of the Plantscape Industry Alliance (PIA); board member for People for Livable Places (PLP); and is an active member of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), American Institute of Architects San Diego (AIASD) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Mumford currently serves on the Downtown San Diego Partnership’s Sustainability Committee.
Due to his pioneering efforts and leadership role in the plantscaping industry, Jim Mumford brings skill, creativity, and beautiful environments to local and national clients including hospitals, resorts, universities, restaurants, and private homeowners. It’s for all these reasons he was named an “Eco-Warrior” by San Diego Magazine.