I was what you would call an armchair gardener. It's not that I did not have the drive. When I lived in my parents house during my teenage years, I used to have a flower and garden area that would rock your world. I grew some of the freshest tomatoes and some of the most beautiful daisies that you have ever seen. It's just that, living in a small New York City apartment, I had almost no room at all for my possessions. Growing anything was unthinkable.
Everything changed when I moved to San Francisco. I went to a SF flower and garden show, and was blown away by what I saw. You see, San Francisco has a unique climate. Practically anything that can grow can grow there. It is bright enough for plants that need a lot of sunlight, yet there is enough anticipation for plants that need a lot of moisture. It is not too hot, and it is not too cold. It lasts almost the same temperature all year. In short, it is the perfect moderate environment.
Because of that, San Francisco flower and garden shows are known the world over. They have some of the best and bright flowers, the freshest fruits and vegetables, and the most impressive gourds that you have ever seen. Every garden and flower magazine profiles them each year, and each year is better than the last. When you go to the flower and garden show in San Francisco, is almost impossible to not become obsessed with the idea of growing something on your own. The plants look so splendid, after all, that how could you resist?
Of course, reading a flower and garden magazine, or going to a flower festival, is one thing. Starting one on your own is another. The flower and garden magazines make it look so easy, but it is not easy! Actually, I forgot how hard it was. I remember the way that my flowers looked when they were in full bloom, but I do not remember the amount of work that went into them. Having a few scattered flowers and tomatoes is one thing, but having a neatly groomed garden is another. I had such unrealistic expectation from the flowers and gardens that show disappointment was inevitable. Nonetheless, after a few years I did have an impressive flower and Garden display. I was growing plants from all over the world!
