instead＝代替

What I was trying to say was: I don't have any pets. I'm not allowed to keep any pets. Instead, I grow plants as a hobby. (I haven't learned how to say "instead". Rather I think I said: I am a gardener.) My dream is to grow big flowers. (I think I said: I wish to grow big flowers. Photograph was the biggest photo I could). I don't have a green thumb (english idiom, green thumb=good gardener) today, because its not spring. Its wintertime, and I have to wait for spring (to plant).

Thank you for everyone's comments and corrections. I will take it to heart and try to study harder. Next time I will put in an english translation of what I mean to say, instead of making everyone guess:). I am gaining more respect and appreciation for the intricacies of the chinese language than I did before I started. Please feel free to be critical, even if I keep making the same mistakes! I appreciate everyone's opinion and good intentions. 谢谢。