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The gig economy is here to stay. If you’re looking to make some extra money outside of your full-time employment, why not find a side hustle that puts your gardening talents to work? For those who like getting their hands dirty, caring for plants, and helping things grow, there’s plenty of opportunity to enter the gardening space as a freelancer or small business.
Here are seven great ways to jump-start your cash flow with a gardening-related gig.
1. Propagated Party Favors
People hosting weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and other occasions often give small party favors to their guests. If your green thumb is gifted when it comes to propagation, you can grow tons of plants from cuttings or pups. Use your talent to grow plenty of adorable succulents like jade, echeveria, tiny cacti, and other small plants that you can sell in bulk for events.
RELATED: The Best Indoor Succulents for Fuss-Free Greenery
2. Freelance Garden Planning
Let’s face it, novice gardeners can benefit from your experience, and many are willing to pay for your expertise. New gardeners might need help learning where to place particular plants, how much sun and water plants require, what type of potting soil to buy, how to grow food for their families, and what kind of care each part of the garden needs.
Turn yourself into a garden planner, and you can help set up successful gardens all over town. Charge for home visits, care schedules, plant and garden supplies, and more.
3. Plant Flipping
Do you enjoy the challenge of rescuing dying plants and helping them thrive again? Often, somebody we know has given up on a houseplant, and they’re planning to chuck it out. Instead of letting them get rid of a live plant, offer to take it off their hands—generally, they’ll just give it to you for free.
Once you’ve revived the plant, you can sell it for a profit. Additionally, if you check out the garden center at a big box store, you might come across neglected plants that are priced at a discount. Pick up a bunch and sell them at a higher price after they’re healthy.
RELATED: 14 Symptoms of an Unhappy Houseplant (and How You Can Treat Them)
4. Urban Farm Bouquets
Fresh flowers add a lovely visual and pleasant fragrance to a room: florals are great for decor, gifts, or just because. There are so many gorgeous blooms out there, and if you have the space to grow many of them, you might be in a place to make and sell bouquets or arrangements.
From ranunculus to daisies and marigolds to amaranth, there’s no shortage of flowers from which to choose. You can sell online, in person at a farmer’s market, or offer local delivery of your urban bouquets. This business can be especially fruitful if the growing season of your chosen blooms falls around holidays like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.
5. Edible Goods
Fruit and vegetables from the garden taste so much better than grocery store fare. Turn your bountiful edible garden into some side cash (especially if you grow too much for you to eat on your own).
There are different ways you can generate income by selling your garden goods: You can sell fresh herbs, fruits, and veggies. Or, you might turn fruit or vegetables into preserves, like fancy jams or pickles. You could even offer a you-pick option for those who want to select their own garden-fresh produce.
RELATED: 23 Perfect Pickle Recipes From Around the World
6. Become a Supplier
Opportunity arises when you network with local artisans, including soap makers, jewelry makers, candle makers, bread makers, and chutney makers. Many craftspeople use herbs, flowers, and vegetables in their creations, and if they consider your produce and florals to be of good quality, they might want to partner with you on an ongoing basis.
7. Sell Starter Plants and Seeds Online
When you have a knack for growing and harvesting plants that others have difficulty with—like tomatoes—you have the opportunity to make money off your skills. Starter plants that are already established are easier for beginner gardeners to grow, and they’re willing to pay for the help rather than raise plants from seed. (After all, have you seen Etsy’s plant selections lately?)
Additionally, if you harvest seeds from your garden, they generally last for a few years. Not only does this save you from having to buy more seeds next year, but you’ll be able to sell the seeds for a profit too.