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OGTF - on making the break

• Message 1.Ìý

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Thursday, 5th January 2006

  Hi all,
  
  I might, just might, be in a position to offer gardening services (maintenance/improvements/small scale planning) on a chargeable basis later this year, by dropping to 2 days a week in my current job. Also I'm doing my RHS General this year and weighing up whether to do the Advanced course over the following 2 years (1 day a week).
  
  Have any of you made a similar transition from employment to gardening self-employment? Should I just get stuck in and try it, or carry on with more training first and just do some voluntary gardening work somewhere to gain wider experience. I've been gardening for about 15 years and have dabbled at helping friends/relatives with some success (for free of course). Any tips or advice greatly appreciated.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Juliet (U2196646) on Thursday, 5th January 2006

  Hi Trillium,
  
  Someone asked a similar question on A4A quite recently & got lots of good advice - hopefully this link should take you to the thread:
  - I think the main problem they highlighted is that the income isn't very regular due to lack of work in the winter months - and also you would need to take out extra insurance to work in other people's gardens as their insurance probably wouldn't cover you. On the other hand, if you can afford to do this, the work seems to be much less stressful/more enjoyable than a 9-5 job - and there's certainly plenty of demand! Good luck, whatever you decide.
  
  Juliet

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by beejay (U2219592) on Sunday, 8th January 2006

  Trillium, I did/do. Apart from what you will find in the A4A discussion I find that no-one appears to be the slightest bit interested in whether you have qualifications or not: I have never been asked if I have any, the nearest anyone got was saying "I suppose you know what you are doing" but not really waiting for a reply! Recommendation/passing on your name is the most important way of getting work. I'll never earn a fortune (I'd quite like to do a "normal" job 2 days a week), it's hard, cold, wet etc etc but generally enjoyable.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Sunday, 8th January 2006

  Hi Beejay,
  
  Thanks for that - I'm not surprised really about the lack of questions about qualifications. It's exactly the same in my current 'normal' job. No-one ever asks us about accreditations, it's just a case of 'Can you do the job?' But I'm enjoying the courses for their own sake so might try to fit them in anyway.
  
  Have spent the last two days in our own garden ripping out a rotten fence covered 4ft deep in ivy. It's been cold and damp - and I've been as happy as Larry...

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by 8supermum (U2768246) on Sunday, 8th January 2006

  Hi Trillium,
  
  I used to work helping in gardens in my early teens, most people were just glad of the help, especially the more elderly who loved their gardens but couldn't maintain it anymore.
  
  I too did the RHS Course, although didn't do the exam. I felt that it gave people the wrong impression that because you were qualified you might know what you were doing...You might know a lot about botany and soil, but most people couldn't identify more that 10 plants, how to prune them, where to place them etc. I think experince in practical gardening is far more useful. I think the RHS should do a practical gardening exam with far less -if any- classroom work.
  
  My brother in law started up last year after he was offered so much work he didn't have time to go to 'real' work...as he put it. He's so much more stress free now, and has even managed some regular work over the winter.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Sunday, 8th January 2006

  You're right about the RHS General, Supermum, it is all theory (except that they've decided to teach the propagation module hands-on in the college greenhouses, which I'm really looking forward to as their conditions are so much better than I've got at home).
  
  For my part, I'm not bad on plant knowledge and selection, but am enjoying filling in the theory - it helps explain the 'why' behind the 'how to' knowledge which gives me more confidence especially when faced with a new plant or new situation. And I'm getting a lot out of discussions with others in the group, swapping tales and experiences. But most importantly - it gets me out of work for one day a week!

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by lance-scaper (U2904712) on Monday, 9th January 2006

  
  Hi Trillium
  Take some time out and do some spidering.Get two sheets of paper and draw an oval shape on each one in the middle. In one oval write self employed and in the other write my job. Run lines out from each oval and on the ends write things like (my job) regular hours,fixed pay,fixed holiday,no overtime etc.One the self employed write things like,work when I want,holiday when I want,work for who I want,work overtime if I want etc.Think freedom.
  While you have a regular job find the time to make a customer list.Simply ask people localy.Put cards in the local shops,post office and supermarket. There are places online where you can get 250 business cards for free just pay postage.When you get your customer list you can then easily make the move to self employment.You can get PLI for around 2 mil and can pay monthly. You can start without it till you get on your feet.For the first 12 months you will be setting your income for the taxman so you may not want to declare all cash transactions.There are lots of perks with being self employed.There is also lots of work in the winter time if you look for it.Pruning,setting out new gardens etc. Go on give it a go.
  regards
  lance

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Margi (U2334861) on Tuesday, 10th January 2006

  Hi Trillium
  
  Am I right in thinking you're of the female persuasion? (I get so confused...)
  
  I was talking to the tutor on my RHS Advanced course about this just before Christmas, and he recommended two things: firstly, try to get some work in a garden centre first for a while, to get some really good plant knowledge going on (and possibly meet some clients?)... And secondly, try to get the word around that you're a woman when you advertise as a lot of the elderly ladies who have loved their gardens but can't cope anymore are happier to employ a woman than have strange men around in their gardens.
  
  Apparently several recent RHS Advanced students from my college are now making a very nice living as garden maintenance persons, and enjoying it immensely.
  
  Good luck, and let us know how you get on...
  
  Margi x
  

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Tuesday, 10th January 2006

  Yes Margi, I'm female - although when I was out in the garden once, my neighbours' gay electrician allegedly said 'Who's the fit lad next door?'
  At 40, I took that as quite a compliment...
  
  I was thinking of playing the gender card - as long as they don't assume I wouldn't or couldn't do the heavier stuff.
  
  I think I will carry on with the courses anyway, they are just too enjoyable to give up.

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• Message 10

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  Posted by burntfacedjake (U2465869) on Wednesday, 11th January 2006

  I've also jettisoned part of my previous job to set up my own garden design business. Contrary to what some garden designers may tell you you don't need to study for years or win shows. A qualification helps for sure but many courses don't tell you much about either construction or the business side. No one ever asks me where I trained or how many RHS medals I've won (None). Don't get me wrong, I have trained and have some previous experience in design but if all garden designers had to be formally trained we wouldn't have some of the great gardens we have including Little Sparta and Derek Jarman's garden.
  
  Use your own experience and ask when you need help with anything.I would also say get a printer to do some full colour fliers for you. They look better than DIY machine printed cards and confirm your a professional approach.
  
  I find from October to March to be very productive as its the planting season. I earn a lot of my income from supplying and planting plants for the gardens I've designed whilst getting builders in to do the hard landscaping.
  
  GOOD LUCK!

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Wednesday, 11th January 2006

  
  
  I earn a lot of my income from supplying and planting plants for the gardens I've designed whilst getting builders in to do the hard landscaping.
  
  Ìý
  
  Hi BFJ,
  
  If you don't mind me asking, do you buy plants through a specialist trade arrangement or just use local garden centres and add a margin for getting and planting them?
  
  Thanks

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by burntfacedjake (U2465869) on Wednesday, 11th January 2006

  Hi Trillium
  
  I use wholesale nurseries. One or two are local but others deliver nationally. You'd have to prove trade staus with a letterhead or business card. I'd give you the names but I suspect the moderators wouldn't like it.A websearch should yield results. It's also worth asking local garden centres if they'd be willing to give you a discount for trade.
  
  

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Wednesday, 11th January 2006

  That's really helpful thanks. The cards will be on order shortly....
  
  If you do want to recommend one of your suppliers, you could always leave a message on my blog site?
  
  

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by burntfacedjake (U2465869) on Wednesday, 11th January 2006

  Hi Trillium
  
  check your blog for the info you asked for
  
  Jake

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by beejay (U2219592) on Thursday, 12th January 2006

  Trillium, I use wholesale nurseries for a biggish bit of planting. As they are quite a distance it's only worth it if I'm getting a car load. Otherwise local garden centres do give a bit of discount, one I only have to show a business card!

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by Margi (U2334861) on Thursday, 12th January 2006

  Hi Beejay & Jake
  
  What kind of discounts do they give, and is it just off plants or equipment too? (If there's anything that had better not be on here, I'm on A4A too...)
  
  Thanks very much,
  
  Margi x

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by Trillium (U2170869) on Thursday, 12th January 2006

  Thanks Jake - much appreciated...

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• Message 18

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by burntfacedjake (U2465869) on Thursday, 12th January 2006

  
  
  What kind of discounts do they give, and is it just off plants or equipment too? (If there's anything that had better not be on here, I'm on A4A too...)
  
  
  As a guide you can get perennials in 9cm pots for between 90p and £1.40, 1 litre pots for £1.25 to £2.00 and shrubs for about 50% less than garden centre prices. You usually have to bulk buy though to make it worthwhile. Some nurseries specify a minimum quantity, say 10 plants per species.
  
  I charge marginally less than garden centre prices but with the customer safe in the knowledge that I know what plants should go where and what looks good with what. That way the customer feels they are getting a good deal.
  
  cheers
  
  Jake

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• Message 19

  , in reply to message 18.

  Posted by beejay (U2219592) on Friday, 13th January 2006

  Margi, as jake has said the wholesale nurseries are about 1/2 the price of garden centres on average. Some have minimum quantities, some don't. As I said the issue for me is one of distance over quantities needed. As for the local garden centre, I think I get 10 percent, I assume on everything.

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• Message 20

  , in reply to message 19.

  Posted by Margi (U2334861) on Friday, 13th January 2006

  Thanks Beejay - Very interesting!!!
  
  Margi x

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