ferris wheel in del mar at san diego county fair
the Set-up…
This journal is being reproduced here in our new layout. The days these events actually happened are almost a month ago starting with this post. I will try to keep a journal, and as I have time, re-type it here. I’m just not young enough to do this all from my iPhone yet 
So, our phone rings at the shop and it’s our friend that works at the horticultural
department for the 22nd Agricultural District – the people in charge of running
the Del Mar Fair.
department for the 22nd Agricultural District – the people in charge of running
the Del Mar Fair.
Over the sounds of windy Del Mar gusts and the crackle of a bad mobile phone
connection, I could make out some of the most dangerous words one can hear…
connection, I could make out some of the most dangerous words one can hear…
“Hey guys, I’m calling to ask a favor.”
Here’s how the story was told to us: “One of the educational garden
exhibitors dropped out at the last minute and we need to fill this space. We
were hoping you could step in for them. It’s a 20 by 25 foot space. Your
paperwork, entry fees, and design need to be in by tomorrow.”
exhibitors dropped out at the last minute and we need to fill this space. We
were hoping you could step in for them. It’s a 20 by 25 foot space. Your
paperwork, entry fees, and design need to be in by tomorrow.”
He was met with stunned silence at the absurdity of his request.
So, to put things in perspective, we have about 29 days to accomplish the
impossible, and less than one to come up with a plan to do so.
impossible, and less than one to come up with a plan to do so.
And then for good measure, he blew a little smoke up my … “Come on, I figured
if anyone can pull it off, you can.”
if anyone can pull it off, you can.”
Anyone with half a brain would have laughed,
said “No!”, and hung up the phone.
said “No!”, and hung up the phone.
Any smart businessman would have figured it wasn’t worth damaging their brand,
their reputation, by putting out a less than totally perfect display – the kind
of exhibit the “big boys” spend the entire year planning, designing, and finally installing.
their reputation, by putting out a less than totally perfect display – the kind
of exhibit the “big boys” spend the entire year planning, designing, and finally installing.
To me, it sounded like a challenge.
I imposed some further restrictions to up the “stress-factor”. All of
our plants will be grown locally. They will all be grown hydroponically. Each
plant in our garden will serve some purpose, other than just looking nice. Each
plant must be edible, medicinal, or attract and support pollinators/beneficial
insects/birds/local wildlife, or a combination thereof. Land is scarce and
expensive, so anything in my garden has to earn its keep. I also want it to be
fragrant.
our plants will be grown locally. They will all be grown hydroponically. Each
plant in our garden will serve some purpose, other than just looking nice. Each
plant must be edible, medicinal, or attract and support pollinators/beneficial
insects/birds/local wildlife, or a combination thereof. Land is scarce and
expensive, so anything in my garden has to earn its keep. I also want it to be
fragrant.
Why just have a garden that looks good when you can also have one
that smells good?
that smells good?
So… I said “yes”.
Telling my wife what I have in mind presents a whole new challenge.
The fun begins…
