I earned it. For several years, back when newspapers were composed of a rather ingenious combination of both news and paper, I was a respected garden columnist, as well as a respected horticulturist and arborist. Of course, I was an a horticulturist and arborist first. I later started writing my garden column because I wanted to do better than what the professional columnists who lacked practical experience with horticulture were doing.
For someone who would have preferred to simply grow horticultural commodities back on the farm, the notoriety was an odd fit. I was often asked to be a guest speaker for all sorts of garden clubs, and to write about their events. For a few years, I was a guest of honor and staffed a gardening question booth at Spring In Guadalupe Gardens in San Jose. It was awkward to walk from where I parked to the booth, past a dozen or so posters with my picture and various quotes on them.
People read my gardening column because they wanted accurate and relevant information. Although I was not proficient at writing, I managed to maintain my integrity as a horticulturist and arborist. My expertise was respected.
Then, a ‘colleague’ who wanted to capitalize on my notoriety convinced me to work for him while he established a website for me. I agreed, along with the stipulation that the website conform to my discriminating standards.
That stipulation was ignored. The website was embarrassingly flashy, with pictures of tropical plants that would not survive as more than houseplants in California. The grammar and spelling were deplorable. Articles were modified to be relevant in any season, just in case, for example, someone was worried about frost in the middle of summer. My ‘manager’ was not at all concerned with horticulture, but was instead more interested in installing advertisement for his products into the website.
About that time, I was invited to install a landscape into the 2009 San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. I would have declined, but was encouraged to compose a landscape to promote the new website. The landscape was ‘adequate’, and did happen to feature an excellent reproduction of an old windmill that my ‘manager’ happened to procure. However, the real priority was showcasing the products that my ‘manager’ was marketing, including a rainwater harvesting system. Within our limited space, we had a big black vinyl water tank! Instead of getting a vendor booth at the show, he used the landscape to pimp his products and services! It was mortifying! The fact that my modified design won awards seemed to make it even worse, as if to justify out extreme gaucheness!
It took a few years and the assistance of an attorney to get the ‘manager’ to close down and delete what was supposed to be my website, but was merely a collection of links back to websites and advertisements for what the ‘manager’ wanted to sell. Otherwise, anyone searching for me online would still be directed to products and services that I want nothing to do with, but seemingly endorse. Even now, these two images above and below would be at the top of the list of a search for images of Tony Tomeo on Google. They are from the 2009 San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, and are now associated with a website with which I have absolutely no affiliation. I want nothing to do with such unethical standards.
The picture above was taken within the landscape just before the Show opened to the public. The black vinyl tank is visible in the background. The picture below was taken during the assembly of the landscape, before I had shaven and gotten appropriately dressed.
Tony Tomeo 
Sorry you had to go through that, Tony. I can tell it still rankles. But I’m so glad you are still providing excellent advice to those of us who read your blog and to your customers. If you operated in the mid-Alantic you would be my go-to tree guy. I use our local division of Bartlett Tree Services to keep my beloved silver maples healthy. Kyle Ewing is my arborist. It is where I put my landscaping dollars.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no need to be sorry. Thank you anyway. I still enjoy my work.
LikeLike
What’s the tall red thing behind you in the bottom picture? It look like some kind of pump.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is is a pump. The handle was removed, and it was connected to the windmill above. They were the only features of the landscape that I really liked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a bummer, but glad you’re out of that mess!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never should have gotten into that mess.
LikeLike
I’m sorry to hear your reputation was hijacked. Perhaps you could run a campaign to get the kangaroo on your shoulder one to the top of the list. I clicked on it, but it would need a bit more than that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
KANGAROO?! Do you mean Timmy? He is a deer.
I am not all that worried about those few pictures, not that the embarrassing website is gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oops – that made me giggle! I remember he is now. I didn’t re-read the post, just checked out the pictures on google. I got one mixed up with a mountain goat not that long ago (a deer, not a kangaroo).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tee hee.
LikeLike
I’m glad you’ve been able to move on, Tony. Remember – stress makes diamonds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Pressure’ makes diamonds, along with heat and organic matter. Regardless, my career would have been much better without it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tony, your body language in the top photo says it all; you really don’t want to be there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, it is that obvious? I really tread to keep a good attitude, and I really liked the windmill in the landscape, but as you can see, it was not easy.
LikeLike
Hey tony, heard about your post on here.
You seem like you have a career in plants and vegetation just like me.
I tell you a bit about myself maybe you might be interested in the same things as me.
I did mainly propagation by cuttings and had a bench full of plant cutting material.
I have had a career with it. As well as doing many other plant propagation and plant cultivation and maintenance.
Check out my blogs ! I am making a few.
Keep planting ! Chat soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of my career was in production of horticultural commodities as well. However, I was also an arborist for tree services, and a horticulturist for landscape companies. I intend to get back to growing though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you tony for your message reply .
Thats an awesome skill you have.
I have very good plant identification skills because I been working with the plants for so many years.
I also have weed identification skills in which i learned from schooling.
I am so happy for your career keep up the good work !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Tony Tomeo and commented:
Like the Horridculture article that was recycled last Wednesday, for me, this one is difficult to read.
LikeLike
GEEZ!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was rather grim.
LikeLiked by 1 person