Recently I went to a flower shop to buy a bunch of fresh flowers for a special occasion. Usually, I pick some from my small garden, whatever is in bloom, but there was almost nothing.

At the local flower shop I spent at least 15 minutes trying to choose: the choice was huge and all flowers looked so beautiful. Eventually, I picked not one, but two bunches of roses, one for the visit and the other for me. I couldn’t resist – they are my favorites after all.

To my liking, they were wrapped in paper only. While paying, I was chatting with the florist and commented how big and gorgeous the roses are, but still reasonably priced. She agreed adding that they come from Ecuador!

That information took me by surprise. It was late spring in Melbourne and roses were in full bloom everywhere, so I (wrongly) assumed they were grown somewhere locally. But more than that, this particular situation was a good example of how sustainable living and thinking can be applied to every aspect of life and how I can do so much more. Now, that florist was the owner of the shop and it’s not always possible to find out the origin of the bunch. But next time I buy some flowers I’m sure I’ll ask first and then choose.

I bought some flowers again last week. This time I got two bunches from a local grower while passing a flower farm. The stall at the road side had only four different varieties (less time spent choosing!), but they were freshly picked, didn’t have CO2 emission attached and all the money went direct to the grower. I could only imagine how little the growers in Ecuador were paid. I can tell you, I enjoyed my local bunches somehow more knowing they are “greener” choice!

Whenever possible I try to shop for a local produce. This isn’t some sort of national pride and bunt against globalization. It’s rather a common sense: I don’t see the point in flying fresh produce out of season here across the globe just to have it available all year round.

And this week there is a bunch from my garden in the vase: the greenest choice possible!

P. S. I told my husband not to buy me flowers for Valentine’s Day at hugely inflated prices. I would rather receive a wild flower posy handpicked with love.

Please share your thoughts in the comments!

The Greenhouse by Joosts is a temporary exhibition of possible future housing, a joint venture between recycling wizard Joost Bakker, and events entrepreneur Corina Baldwin.