With the downturn in the economy, people are looking for ways to earn extra money. If you are a gardener in need of extra green, consider transforming some of your turf areas into an income-generator. Many people are using family members to start creative new ventures.
Fresh produce proves a new business idea
Sue Hamill, one of the Garden Fairies is assisting her daughter Amy in a new business venture, Amy’s Fresh Deliveries. The Hamill family enjoys fresh fruits & veggies, many which are grown in Sue’s expansive garden. Sue and her daughters, Amy and Sarah feel strongly about supporting local farms. The idea for Amy’s Fresh Deliveries for began when Amy was on a trip to visit family in Colorado. After she spent hours gathering local foods from various markets for a special meal she thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if someone could do this for you.” Amy is putting her new newly acquired MBA to use with a service that helps local farmers and saves on greenhouses gas generating shipping.
Make some green from flowers
I meet a lady at a farmer’s market in Buffalo, NY recently who was selling perennials and cut flowers for 40 cents a stem. Her husband was there along with her, to help with unloading. They looked very happy to be doing something together that they both loved. I told the wife I wanted to make an impressive bouquet to give my friend Ellen. Flower offerings for gardeners with fabulous gardens must be special, especially if they offered as Ellen did, to feed lunch to a flock of Garden Fairies. I started with the perennial/cut flower lady and thought, “why stop here?”. I was now on a mission, looking for items to add, considering scent texture and color. 
My one-of-a-kind bouquet was made from purchases from three different families’ stalls including wildflowers, purple basil and purple veined arugula. The bouquet was a huge hit, which got me thinking about how someone could sell wildflower and herb bouquets and more …
My one-of-a-kind bouquet was made from purchases from three different families’ stalls including wildflowers, purple basil and purple veined arugula. The bouquet was a huge hit, which got me thinking about how someone could sell wildflower and herb bouquets and more …Some ideas on how to turn your lawn into an green income-generator:
1. Herb Specialist
Sue Hamill is offering herbs from her garden along with Amy’s produce selections from local farmers. Lots of people would love to have their own herb garden, but don’t have the time or know where to start and would probably welcome a source of potted herbs grown from seeds. You can sell herbs to farm stands or a local farmer’s markets. Or combine flowers and herbs.
2. Flower Producer
When I lived in Buffalo, I grew large amounts of lavender and sold it to a local flower wholesaler. Large gardens can be used to grow flowers for arrangements, creating nosegays and small bouquets to sell local florists or at weekend markets. Flowers can be preserved and made into dried floral arrangements and wreaths to sell at crafts shows or to local markets.
3. Grow one type of plant
I have often wondered why some plants such as Crinum Lilies, part of the Amaryllis family, with ultra flashy blooms are so expensive. Especially, the Red Leafed Giant Crinums which are seemingly so easy to grow. Opportunities exist for people to sell either one specimen or a small assortment of similar type plants.
Interested in starting a plant based biz? Check out St. Pete’s Saturday Morning Market which includes many plant vendors:
- Angie & Tony’s Plumeria- beautiful collection of tropical plumeria in various sizes – from cuttings to rooted plants and small trees. You’ll find many exotic colors and enjoy the fantastic fragrances. Plumeria seeds and fertilizers are also offered.
- Bromeliad Valley Nursery- Potted bromeliads for interior and landscaping.
- Colorfield Farms- Beautiful baskets of flowering plants and herbs add a bright touch of color to your yard.
- Green Florida’s Bartlett Park Community Garden
- Green Mind Growers- Local grower featuring the beautiful desert rose plant.
- Mitch Armstrong Nursery- Rare and unusual tropical landscape and interior plants including palms, heliconia, bird of paradise, bamboo, bougainvillea, passion flowers and hanging baskets.
- Pretty Plants- Tabletop Exotic & Tropical Plants in a variety of styles and sizes in Ceramic/Plastic/Glass/Clay containers. Sizes range from 3″ to 14″ containers. Interesting and attractive presentations at very reasonable prices.
- Thai-Rific Orchids- Orchids for every occasion. Handmade leis, fresh-cut stems flown in from Thailand (weekly). Exotic potted orchids from Southeast Asia and Hawaii . Arrangements made to fit budget.
- Thompson’s Nursery- Heirloom garden veggies, unique perennial plants, themed garden bowls.
- Willow Herbal Delight Gardens- Heirloom and organic seeds, organic plants and herbs, plus organic gardening and earth-friendly books for children and adults.
More about Amy’s Fresh Deliveries
Amy’s offer delicious fresh produce straight from local Florida farms to your doorstep! They take care of everything for you- simply fill out the order form and your fresh local fruit and veggies will be delivered straight to your home in stay-cool packaging. Produce is always delivered the day they pick it up from the farms so you’re sure to receive the freshest fruits and veggies available!
What’s in the box?
- 10-15 local fruit and veggie items.
- Option to add or double your favorite items.
- In addition to the “staples” in your box, you get to choose your favorites!
- Custom recipes for the produce in your box!
- Amy’s offers different options to meet your lifestyle including a larger box for bigger families, a combo box for those who want it all, and bi-weekly service too.
Questions? Contact amysfreshdeliveries@gmail.com or call 727-458-4195
I was glad to read your new post. I don’t know if the lady selling stems was the same, but I ran into a woman at the Niagara County Fair doing the same thing. She was setting up bouquets all over the place to hand out for free and selling stems for 50 cents. I got her card because this is so cheap in our area and I told her so. She was friendly and had a bubbly personality. Her name was Amy. I was ‘working’at our Master Gardener table and she stopped by telling us her business name was Amy’s Flowers from Lockport, NY. What a find.
Donna- Thanks for info about flower growers close to you. I was in Lockport the last day of my trip to Western NY. What a quaint town. I will have to put spending more time there on my bucket list for next year. Good luck to all the blooming flowering businesses including Amy’s Flowers and Amy’s Fresh Deliveries. Amy’s abound.