How to become a good gardener

I've been pondering what it is that makes a good gardener.  You know, it isn't having great luck and beautiful plants.  What makes a good gardener is failure.  Mistakes.  Pest infestations.  Bad weather.  Poor choices. 

How do you know what is causing your squash vines to wilt?  

Experience.  

How do you identify a bad bug?  

Experience.  

How do you know how to avoid cucumber beetles?  

Experience.  

How do you recognize blossom end rot?  

Experience

How do you know what varieties of zucchini are mildew resistant?  

Experience.

I have a little plaque on my bookshelf.  It says:

Good Judgement comes from Experience

Experience comes from poor Judgement.