Monday, August 20, 2018

Budgeting and Insourcing...Quick and easy money makers....

 

I come from a long line of gardeners.
 
My parents and grandparents all had an enviable green thumb and in fact my Grandparents earned a living from a strawberry farm for many years.
 
So, how come I didn't get the gene?
 
I'm okay at herbs and fruit, awful at veg, and so-so at flowers. A bit sad really considering my gene pool.
 
But there are some things that I not only grow, but have found can make you good money if you can be bothered potting them up and dragging them to the markets, or even setting up a sign on the fence that says 'For Sale', and a sample. I haven't had one stolen yet, although I suppose there's always a first. Mind you our little whippet goes nuts as soon as any car pulls up outside our house, so having a dog doesn't hurt!
 
In fact, we're considering making this a retirement Saturday afternoon job as we can sit and read at the same time.
 
Here's what we've grown, and very easily, given my black thumb.
 
Yucca
Dracaena
Hydrangea
Ivy
Geranium
Agave
Frangipani
Lavender
Jade plant (Money plant)
 
 
The Yuccas are brilliant. It takes time to get them going, but we started with just one, and now have dozens. You just have to cut them off at a height at which you're happy to have them regrown and each stem will produce several new plants. Keep doing this and soon enough, you'll have Yuccas coming out of your ears.
 
The great thing about the Yuccas is that they are so expensive at the nurseries, that you can sell them for $25+ each and people think they're a bargain.
 
 
Dracaena work the same way.
 
 
Hydrangeas are astoundingly easy to propagate and I have half a dozen growing well from a single plant for which I paid $20. By Christmas they'll be worth that much at least. Just cut a piece off, dip into Hormone powder (about $5 for a sachet that will do dozens of plants), or Honey, and put into a pot with potting mix.
 
 
Ivy and Lavender are the same. Cut off a little sprig, poke into soil, and off they go.
 
 
 
Geraniums the same again, and people still love them, believe me.
 
 
Agave have the little 'pups' growing off them constantly. Pot them and watch people pay $15-$40 for a decent sized one. The Agave and Yuccas are really favoured as landscaping plants at the moment as they're so hardy and low maintenance and look very stylish as a combination.
 
 
Frangipani, well, you just break a piece off, let it dry out for a day or two, then stick it in a pot with potting mix.
 
Usually they'll strike, but you do get a few failures. I have a Fijian style evergreen one that doesn't drop it's leaves. It has the enormous white and yellow flowers that just about fold back on themselves. Husband paid $95 for it for me for an anniversary present years ago.
 
So each cutting from that one, is worth about $50. I have four.
 
All up, I think we have the potential to earn at least $1000 come Spring and Summer, and for just a small initial investment of a plant or two, some recycled pots and a few bags of potting mix. $100 at the most.
 
And the bonus is, what you don't sell, you can wrap beautifully, tie a big bow on, and give it as a gift.
 
Win either way!
 
But start now...
 
Do you have some more plants to strike and sell, or give as gifts?
 
Tell me all about it...
 

16 comments:

  1. Great idea, and I'll plan to try a few new things to grow for Christmas! I've been propagating some succulents, and keeping my eyes open for interesting containers into which they will be planted. I've never been a succulent fan, but they are growing on me...so to speak hahaha

    xxx Fiona

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    1. Hahaha Fiona...yes succulents are another brilliant one. You think they're expensive for something so small, until you realise that EVERY leaf has the potential to become a whole new plant! Mimi xxx

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  2. My aloe is going nuts so I've potted up all the pups to gift. I'm going to try propagating ivy too.

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    1. Great strategy Jodi. They make lovely verandah and porch plants too. We have one in a pot on our back deck and it just always looks amazing. Mimi xxx

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  3. Hydrangeas!!! I love those. I never thought about selling them. We have some very ugly fir bushes in front of my house, and I've always wanted to take those out and replant with hydrangeas. We have an active local sustainability group; they're very into gardening and all things local, and I bet hydrangeas and other plants like that would sell well there (and I'm sure the members would enjoy the change from all the hosta plants for sale, haha!). You've given me quite a bit to think about today! :)

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    1. Hosta plants...lol...my Mum loved them. Yes grow some Stephanie. You'll be amazed how easy they are to propagate. Mimi xxx

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  4. Such a good idea Mimi! Michigan weather is bitter cold but I have managed to grow a lot of hens and chicks (succulents). I've given these to the grandchildren's teachers for an end of the year gift. I put them in a pretty pot and it's an easy gift. I should separate my hosta plants next year and then sell them. You've got me thinking!
    I've seen some people sell their extra plants along with their garage sales. One lady had a vast variety of day lilies for sale.
    Have a great day!

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    1. Vickie little succulents are such forgiving things and a great gift! Yes Day Lilies are gorgeous too. Mimi xxx

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  5. In our local garden shop the other day I saw "mother-in-law tongue" (I'm sure there's a more politically correct name for it), for around $50 and they weren't very big plants. I don't know if anyone is actually buying them for that amount, but you can't kill those things and they multiply quickly. ummm... that's why they're a pest, but I guess they're great if you keep them in a pot and they are also one of the top plants for air cleaning inside so that could be a sale point for them as well.

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    1. Del, that's a new insanity isn't it? Like lamb shanks and beef cheeks, now that they're trendy again, they're expensive! We have them in our yard and have to contain them in a single garden bed because they grow like weeds as you say! I remember the days of having them in an anodised pot in the entry. Hmmm...might be time for a revival of that one! Mimi xxx

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  6. I've never tried selling plants, but I spend half my life out in the garden. There's a great sense of satisfaction to be gained from propagating plants. Yukkas are wonderful, aren't they -so hardy.

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    1. Yes it's the ultimate in 'something for nothing', isn't it Pam? Yukkas...yes brilliant. Mimi xxx

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  7. I think you have some great ideas on plants to sell. My only suggestions would be maybe some herbs, succulents and maybe look into some medicinal plants like aloe vera. You might also be able to sell some homemade jam and who knows what else. I have seen some homes with a shelf of jam and honey as well as plants. Good luck with your Saturday stall plans. I'm sure you are on a winner. love Janiebabe

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    1. Oh Aloe Vera yes! Good thinking Jane. Honey is a great idea. If only we had a hive...lol! Mimi xxx

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  8. I'm a bit late commenting, but I have great success with bromeliads. They're easy to grow, need little care and easy to propagate. They've been especially good in 'the long dry' we've been experiencing.

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    1. We have bromeliads Janine. Husband is very protective of them though. I'll see if I can persuade him! Mimi xxx

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I love hearing from you! I always respond to comments, so don't be shy! Mimi xxx