Starting A Landscape Design Business. Revised

Starting a Landscape Design Business.Revised
by Wolfdave





To start a Landscape Design Business you will only need a computer and some design software. You can get some great programs and there are some free trial versions available. This allows you to insert a photograph then add images to create the perfect garden. On your computer, you can move things around and try different designs, until you are happy with your creation. Then you will have a working plan to show to potential customers. Give your customers a choice by creating several designs. There are upgrades and professional versions available, but to start with the free versions are more than adequate.

Landscape gardening can be divided into two basic categories, the first is self-explanatory you design, and then create someone a perfect private garden. The second is probably more lucrative and the customers are usually easier to please, this is commercial landscaping for companies and businesses, I suggest you start with landscaping people's gardens, followed by taking on some commercial projects.

The first step we have to take is to make sure we are thought of as professional. To achieve this you first need to learn to use a landscape design programme as mentioned above. If you aren't comfortable with these just look on Google you can usually find some different ones and help from forums. But learn you must to give yourself a professional image and an edge over any competition. The best way to learn is to just try it. Start with your own garden; create several different designs until you feel competent to design someone else’s. Repeat with your neighbour’s garden if you wish.

Once you have created several designs, print them out on high-quality paper, and put them all together in a folder. To do this take some photographs of friend’s and relatives gardens, then use these with your landscape programmes to show where you'd make improvements. One way to get started is if you’re relatives or a friend's garden needs landscaping. You could offer to do the work and keep a photo diary of it. If it's for a friend, you could maybe do the work for free if your friend only paid for the materials. This would help selling your service as you will have photos of a job already completed.

Now there are lots of ways to promote your new business, and the following idea is one which could generate a lot of interest. Do a show garden at a local flower show or country show, just about any large event where you have a lot of people who are interested in gardens or homes. You can usually get the space for free, if you are willing to put on a display if you do have to pay to space, I suggest selling a few plants to cover the cost. Just type 'show and the place you live' into Google with a bit of searching around you should get all events come up that are local to you.

You can either choose to exhibit inside or outside, I suggest outside throughout the summer, and to be honest, it's not worth creating a show garden in winter as your display plants will not look brilliant. Bring your folder with your designs and have these visible for people to see. As with any new business, the more effort you put in at the very start, the more likely success it will have.

For your display garden I suggest about 15 feet by about 15 feet. In this area incorporate a patio with slabs or deck covering about two thirds of the area, have a table and chairs with a few planters on the deck/patio. Round the edge of the patio, have raised bed, using some wood to build up is usually the easiest. In the raised beds, make use of the large plants and trees if you can get them, then under plant with herbaceous perennials and a few bedding. You can usually drum up a lot of interest this way.

For more information on making money from plants and gardening click HERE:

Starting A Landscape Gardening Business

Starting a Landscape Design Business.

The beauty of this is your only need a computer and some design software. You can get some great programs, there are some free trial versions avaliable One I have found is http://www.showoff.com/Showoffpurchase.html This allows you to insert a photograph then add images to create the perfect garden there is an upgrade for $ 40 but I only used the free version for my own garden.

Another tool to use Is at www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml its a free tool and I had a play and Found it was very good .

There are two types of landscape gardening. The first is self-explanatory, you design, then create someone a perfect garden. The second is probably more lucrative and the customers are usually easier to please, this is commercial landscaping for companies and businesses, I suggest we start with landscaping people's gardens, followed by taking on some commercial projects.

The first step we have to take is to make sure we are thought of as professional, to do this you will need to first learn to use the landscape programmes above, if you aren't comfortable with these just look on Google you can usually find some different ones. Most have free 30 day trial.

Becoming a expert

To start with I would recommend you learn how to use the software above, do some designs print them out on high-quality paper, and put them all together in a folder. To do this take some photographs of friends gardens, then use these with your landscape programmes to show where you'd make improvements. The best way, if your garden or a friend's garden needs landscaping, is to do the work and keep a photo diary of it. if it's for a friend, you could maybe do the work for free if your friend just pays for materials. This would help selling your service as you will have photos of
a job already completed.

Getting your first job

Now there are lots of ways to approach this, and I think I have figured out the best for you. Do a show garden at a local flower show or country show, just about any large event where you have a lot of people who are interested in gardens or homes.

You can usually get the space for free, if you are willing to put on a display if you do have to pay for space, I suggest selling a few plants to cover the cost.

Just type 'show and the place you live' into Google with a bit of searching around you should get all events come up that are local to you.

You can either choose to exhibit inside or outside, I suggest outside throughout the summer, and to be honest, it's not worth creating a show garden in winter as your display plants will not look brilliant.

For your display garden I suggest about 15 feet by about 15 feet. In this area incorporate a patio with slabs or deck covering about two thirds of the area, have a table and chairs with a few planters on the deck/patio. Round the edge of the patio, have raised bed, using some wood to build up is usually the easiest. In the raised beds, make use of the large plants and trees if you can get them, then under plant with herbaceous perennials and a few bedding plants. You can usually drum up a lot of interest this way.

For more information on making money from plants and gardening click HERE:

Growing House Plants. Division

Make MOney Growing Plants. Division



Division.

A lot of perennial plants can be grown by division. This is a lot easier than taking cuttings, and if you have friends, who have large gardens. You can usually get your plants for free, By dividing their plants up. You can get 50 to 100 little plants from one large plant, which means if you have a few friends with biggish gardens, you can stock your whole nursery for free. Also Perennial plants need dividing every two or three years. So you are doing your friends a favour by having all these free plants off them.

When should you divide perennials?

The best time to dig up and divide perennials is late autumn through to early spring. Personally I like to leave this until after Christmas, as the plants start to shoot and grow in January.

How to divide your perennials?

Dig around the plant and lift the root ball out of the ground shaking it. Once you have got it out of the ground knock as much soil away as possible. Try to make it so you can see all the buds of the plant round the crown.

If possible pull the plant apart with your hands, If not use a sharp knife. For larger plants you may need to sharpen a spade to use. If you read nearly every other book it will tell you to be very careful, when you do this, and do not damage any part of the plant. In reality whether you use a knife, a spade, a fork or even a saw, 90% of the plants you divide will live. When doing it for myself I chop these perennials Into very small pieces. I will sometimes get 200 small plants out of a large plant. The one thing to remember is try and get a piece of root connected to a piece of the crown, if you manage this the plants should grow.

Plants Suitable For Dividing:

The easiest plants to divide are the perennial plants listed below Including: Achillia, Aconitum, Agapanthus, Alcea, Alstromeria,.Anemone, Aster, Astilbe, Astrantia, Bergenia, Campanula, Chleone, Crocosmia, Delphinium, Dicentra, Digitalis, Echnacea, Erygium, Geranium (The perennial variety), Hellenium, Helleborus, Hemerocallis, Hosta, Iris, Kniphofia, Liatris, Lupins, Monarda, Paeonia, Phlox, Primula, Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedium, Sidelsea, Tradescantai Trollis, Verbena, Verbascum, Veronica a lot of other plants will divide, if you are nor sure either look in the R.H.S propagation guide or just try some.

The advantages of dividing perennials rather than grow them from seed, is you get bigger plants which have more growth and flowers on them.

This means you can sell the plant faster, and for more money.

For more information on Dividing and making money growing plants click HERE:

House Plant Pests and Diseases. Part 1

House Plant Pests and Diseases – Part 1
by Wolfdave

More and more people are discovering that growing indoor plants is a very satisfying and rewarding hobby. And because the homes in which we now live are lighter, warmer and more or less draught free, than they used to be, there is less chance of house plants suffering from dramatic changes in temperature throughout the course of the day, or night. So a whole new range of indoor plants from across the world can now be successfully grown indoors.
This article focuses on common pests and diseases found on indoor plants.
Ants are not necessarily harmful themselves, but they can carry aphids to the softer parts of the plant. Ants are attracted to the honeydew deposited by green fly and can carry these pests from plant to plant. Your local garden centre will have a pesticide in dust form, to control ants on house plants.

Aphid or greenfly is a familiar garden pest that can move indoors. These attack the plant by sucking sap from it and depositing sticky honeydew, which in turn can attract fungus. Leaves, stems and flowers may appear distorted. The aphid’s are not only green, but can also be grey, black or yellow. As soon as you spot this pest spray the plant with pyrethrum or permethrin. If neither of these can be obtained quickly, then use soapy water and repeat spray regularly. Also soak the soil with any of the above. Remove and discard distorted growths.

Leaf Miners often attack Chrysanthemums and Cinerarias by tunnelling through leaves. They leave tell-tale wandering narrow lines, or ‘mines’ and the grubs can usually be spotted if the leaves are examined closely. Remove any affected leaves and spray the plant with a pesticide suitable for grubs.

Mealy Bugs. These are little oval bugs, covered with a white fluffy substance, they are usually found under leaves or on leaf joints. Almost any plant can be attacked causing the plant to wilt and leaves to yellow. Pick of all the bugs that you can with a tooth pick, any nests can be wiped away with soft cotton wool or a fine paintbrush soaked with methylated spirits. Spray all top growth with a suitable pesticide and examine plants regularly for reinfestation.

Red Spider Mites. Distorted and dry looking leaves are a common sign that these tiny mites are present. Look under the leaves for a fine white web. The red or pink pests are difficult to see without a magnifying glass. Prompt action is needed to stop the infestation from spreading. Badly affected leaves should be cut away, then spray the plant with a liquid derris. Repeat after 5 days and again after 10 days.

Scale Insects. These creatures are a yellowish brown colour and can be difficult to detect. They cling to the underside of leaves and are covered with a hard waxy cover. They suck sap from the plant causing it to wither. They also secrete honeydew which in turn can attract ants. Remove by scraping with a tooth pick or the top of a biro pen. Then wash the leaves with soapy water and apply a pesticide.

Thrips or thunder flies suck sap from soft foliage. They move about by jumping and leave black dots on the leaves or white spots on flowers. Remove damaged foliage and spray with liquid derris or suitable pesticide.

Part two covers Weevils, White Flies and Worms, and includes common house plant diseases.


For more information and to find out how you can make money from growing plants, click HERE

Five More, Easy To Grow House Plants

FIVE MORE, EASY TO GROW HOUSE PLANTS
by Wolfdave
More and more people are discovering that growing indoor plants is a very satisfying and rewarding hobby. And because the homes in which we now live are lighter, warmer and more or less draught free, than they used to be, there is less chance of your plants suffering from dramatic changes in temperature throughout the course of the day, or night. So a whole new range of plants from across the world can now be successfully grown indoors.
More easy to grow house plants.
Chlorophytum Elatum Variegatum
Otherwise known as ‘Spider Plant’ from South Africa. Grows green and cream leaves up to 15 inches long and makes a striking hanging plant. Will grow in cool or warm rooms, although it prefers a reasonably warm, humid atmosphere. Site in a well lit position with some direct sunshine, however, long periods in direct sunshine may scorch the leaves. Water well during summer, moderately during the rest of the year. Feed in summer, repotting in spring.
Ficus Pumila
Or Creeping Fig is a relative of the rubber plant. A fast growing creeping plant, with its tiny heart shaped leaves, and can look stunning. Likes a cool, shady position. To encourage growth, pinch out the tips. Feed in spring and provide good watering. This plant must never be allowed to dry out.
Impatiens Sultani. Busy Lizzie (Zanzibar).
A very popular flowering plant, perfect for growing in windows. Flowers are bright red, pink or white and are produced through most of the year. Pinch stems to promote bushiness; shoots removed for cuttings will root easily. Fast growing, they like a warm, well lit position. Water well in spring and summer. Keep warm and moist in winter.
Saxifraga Sarmentosa. (Japan)
Often known as mother-of-thousands, Because of its abundant, little plantlets, off-spring. Grows to a maximum 9 inches tall, and looks best in a hanging basket or pot with these long runners hanging down. Leaves are an olive green colour with purple beneath. Small pink flowers appear in summer. Position in a well lit but cool room, out of direct sunshine. Water and feed regularly in summer, don’t allow the pot to stand in water. Reduce watering after flowering keeping the mixture just damp.
Tradescantia Fluminensis. (South America)
Also known as; Wandering Jew. Easy to grow and very popular hanging plant, produces sliver striped leaves with purple underneath. They will grow in cool rooms but need a well lit position. Occasionally feed in summer, water well and frequently spray the leaves. Pinch out shoot tips if plant becomes straggly. These can be used for cuttings and will easily root in water.
To find out how you can earn money from your plant growing hobby click, HERE.

How Can You Make Money Growing Plants?

How would you like to make money growing plants?

Probably one of the most enjoyable thing for gardeners is watching new plants grow. I love it when one of my plants I grew from seed or cutting starts to grow, then flowers for the first time.

The only problem with growing new plants is we get to many, our gardens get crowed and we end up throwing some out, or we stop growing new plants. One solution for this is to sell some. Not only does it provide us with some space in our greenhouse, it also allows us to finance our gardening hobby, for free.

I want to share with you a secret. The most enjoyable business in the world is making money from growing plants, and if you have a few spare plants, you can start today.

The first thing you will need to do is to start growing some plants. The best way to do this is to either, sow some seeds, Take some cuttings or divide some perennials.

Check out Richards New eBook Click HERE


Thanks For Reading

How To Grow House Plants and Make Money

GROWING PLANTS IN YOUR HOME
by Wolfdave



More and more people are discovering that growing indoor plants is a very satisfying and rewarding hobby. And because the homes in which we now live are lighter, warmer and more or less draught free, than they used to be, there is less chance of your plants suffering from dramatic changes in temperature throughout the course of the day, or night. So a whole new range of plants from across the world can now be successfully grown indoors.
Many people, of course, live in flats or apartments and have no garden at all to grow plants in. So growing indoor plants for these people provides them with a valuable contact with nature. Of course, people with gardens, large or small, also like to grow plants indoors so they can enjoy the beauty of their plants, even in the midst of winter or when the rain is lashing at the window. Most of us like to have contact with nature, it lifts our spirits, and so by growing plants indoors we can observe and enjoy our plants from the very start, as a cutting or seed, through to its full beauty.
Growing plants in your home does not require a vast amount of time out of your busy lives. Just a little knowledge about the particular plant you choose. Where to site it: In the window, for example, or away from direct sunlight. When to water it, and by how much. Does it require any special plant food? You only need to learn this information once, and then you tend your plant accordingly. All good garden centres, nurseries and florists will gladly provide you with this knowledge when you purchase your chosen plant.
It is a good idea to start with just one or two plants, so that you can properly tend to them. Rather than having too many and not having enough time to fully care for them. As you gain experience, you can add more plants if you find you have time to spare. A plant adds life and interest, and it is now possible to grow plants in almost any room. You can choose bright flowering plants or foliage plants to enhance your decorating scheme. You can have just one in each room or create an arrangement of your own.
You can, of course, add cut flowers to your arrangements or display these separately. However, cut flowers do not have a very long life, whereas a pot-plant will provide interest for months and years to come. Having said that, cut flowers do provide instant colour to your home for a modest outlay.
There is such a wide range of plants to chose from these days and your choice will vary depending on the temperatures in your rooms, a heating system installed in your home, the direction your windows face, available space and of course, your own preference.
Visit your local garden centres or nurseries, with a room and location for your plant in mind. Take your time looking at the varieties on show. If you see one you like, read or ask for information about its care and maintenance. If it is suitable for your home, select one with plenty of buds still to open. This will ensure your plant will continue to bloom once you have it at home. Also look for any damages to your plant before you buy, and examine for pests.
Make sure your plant is suitably protected for the journey home. It has probably spent most of its life thus far, in a greenhouse or warm environment. Try not to expose it to draughts or chills on the way home and for the first few weeks after you get the plant home. Buying your plants in late spring or summer will give them a better chance to settle in before cooler winter temperatures arrive.

To find out how you can earn money from your plant growing hobby click, HERE.