I took the day off yesterday intending to do a little gardening relaxation.  Turns out rain was in the forecast.  I decided to change my plans and check out some local plant markets around San Francisco with Megan.

Our first stop was San Francisco Flower Mart.  This wholesale plant market carries anything and everything plant related.  Seriously, they have it all from found driftwood to plastic containers; from artificial decorative fruits to live Olive Trees (Olea europaea) bearing fruit; from cut flowers to live plants in bloom.  Going here makes me feel like a kid in a candy story, and gets my creative juices flowing.

SF Flower Mart is one of only 5 grower owned wholesale flower/plant markets in the USA.  The first part of the morning is dedicated to membership only buying, but SF Mart opens its doors to the public after 10AM Mon – Sat.

Next we hit Sunborne.  This was my first time here, but Megan is a veteran of this wholesale market.  Their expansive grounds carries mainly green foliage and houseplants up to 10+ feet tall, but they are getting into succulents which is my passion.

Finally, Megan and I headed the NORCAL Spring Trade Show.  Two notable mentions of the show were:  Phytopod by Vertical Home Gardens.  I would have loved to take some photos, but asked that I did not in order to protect their new hot product.  The Phytopod is a cool little 2′ x 2′ footprint barrel-like vertical garden containing 20 sq. ft of space.  I think they are on the right track…and Succulent Gardens out of Castroville, CA.

They also have two vertical succulent designs, and a great selection of plants to fill them.  We will have to schedule a time to visit next time we head down to Big Sur.

All and all a good rainy day, and now we have more f0odder for projects.

– Matti Far Out Flora