The question on everyone’s lips nowadays is: “How can I make more money?” Employees who run out of cash right after payday; school leavers or laid-off workers who can’t find a job; retirees who buckle under the pressures of inflation, everyone is looking for extra funds in these tough economic times.

A couple of years ago I wrote a series of articles looking at dozens of different methods of earning money part time. I believe that innovative thinkers and motivated go-getters will always find the ways and means of making money whether times are good or bad.

In fact, periods of severe financial crisis will often produce many thriving new enterprises and wealthy business owners.

I have always been fascinated by the interesting things that people do to make money in their spare time. Starting this week, I will take a deeper look at various entrepreneurial exploits, and give you the inside scoop on what it takes to be successful in these endeavours.

I hope that our ‘more money’ adventures will encourage you to search for your own ways to create extra income.

Styling in the dirt

This week, we will learn about making money with landscaping. I’m a big fan of the Home and Garden Television Network, and I love to watch the landscape artists transform outdoor spaces. I enjoy being in beautiful gardens, but I’ve never tried my hand at creating one from scratch; so I was definitely looking forward to an opportunity to find out more about this art.

It may seem almost out of place for a lady with impeccably manicured hands to create extra income while digging in the dirt. But Rosemarie Sutherland, my landscaping tutor, is living proof that with her elegant pastel-tinted fingernails, it’s possible to be fashionable while making money in the mud.

Rosemarie has had a love affair with plants all her life. Gardening is in her genes, as her mother had a gifted green thumb and her father was an agricultural instructor. In 2009, she decided to convert her pastime into a potentially profitable landscaping avenue. A real estate agent by profession, Rosemarie wanted not just to sell houses, but to transform them into beautiful homes.

Landscaping 101

The first lesson in my landscaping class involved studying the lay of the land to determine where best to position the plants and trees that Rosemarie had previously selected. With my love for anything artistic, I found this session quite enjoyable. My tutor also gave me tips about the distance that trees should be placed from each other and from the dwelling.

Our design included mini-rock garden clusters, and Rosemarie had acquired some large stones that needed to be moved into position. With surprising ease, she lifted and turned over the rocks along the lawn to create some pleasing formations. Realising that Rosemarie had her ‘rock and roll’ technique down pat, I was only too happy (or was it relieved?) to let her do all the heavy work.

We moved around the potted flowers and shrubs beside the rocks until we were satisfied with the overall look. Next, with machetes in hand, we started digging holes for the plants. At this point, the sun’s heat took its toll on me, so I decided to take a break. My recess became permanent as I took refuge on the verandah and shamelessly watched my tutor finish her work of art.

Are you qualified?

I learned that you either love to do landscaping or loathe it; and I will admit that I definitely did not make the grade in this class. While I can appreciate the beauty of a well-designed garden, I have no desire to get my hands dirty to make it happen. With the physical effort required to dig holes, move stones, lift trees, and roll sod, this means of earning is not for the laid-back person.

Other required attributes are two working green thumbs and the ability to talk persuasively to plants to make them thrive. If you have a history of destroying previously healthy potted plants, then do not consider this money-making venture. An artistic eye is also useful to help you design the layouts that will deliver the perfect curb appeal look.

Another important asset to excel in this field is tolerance for various weather conditions; pelting rain, sweltering heat, blustering winds are all par for the course. In addition, be prepared to get friendly with some of Mother Nature’s least endearing creatures including worms, slugs, lizards, spiders and the odd scorpion or two.

Unlike me, Rosemarie has everything required to excel in landscaping. “Everyone has a talent, you just need to look inside to find your true calling,” she asserts. The gardening aficionado declares that while some people are shy and afraid to promote their skills to earn money, “You need to believe in your gift from God and push out with confidence to create your destiny.”

Rosemarie Sutherland can be contacted at rosemariesbeautifulgardens@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2012 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, March 29, 2012

Read another article on Earning with Dirt:

Making Money from your Backyard

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Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmart.org. Contact Cherryl