Career change...?

[aquilegia]

Sitting here in the office on a lovely hot, sunny summer's day, I'm longing to be out in the garden.

But I need to earn money, unfortunately. So I want to combine the two. I think it's the only thing I can do to earn a living that will make me happy. This isn't just a whim, it's something I've been thinking about for over a year...

Do any of you garden professionially? What qualifications do you need? How easy is it to get into? Am I being naive about this - will it get tedious and tiring? (I have done a physical, outdoor job before.)

I cannot go to college as there isn't one near enough to me, but I can do correspondence courses - what would I need to do?

[aquilegia]

[gavin]

Hi Aqui - same as you!  Thinking about it!

There's a list (not exhaustive) of courses and organisations here http://dmoz.org/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Recreation_and_Sports/Home_and_Garden/Gardening/Organisations/Courses/

And I occasionally look at http://www.hdra.org.uk/jobs/index.php, or http://www.growing-careers.com/ - just to see what people are looking for!

All best - Gavin

[Karen P]

Hi aquilegia.  I've popped in for the first time.  Usually on the Beeb site but thought I'd give it a go.   Just some quick thoughts.  Its very tempting to dream of ditching the day job to re-train, particularly when the weather is lovely and sunny.  I design and build gardens. I'm building a garden at the moment.  The contractors, who are used to all weathers, go home feeling sick every night and exhausted with the heat (south facing back garden, fenced in on all sides, heat gas mark 10).  The weather conditions are really only very good 20 per cent of the year.  I'm out in sleet, snow, rain, gales you name it and there are times when I question my sanity and have to keep reminding myself why I do it.  I can assure you we all think longingly of a nice warm office at 3 p.m. on a dark December afternoon in driving rain.

How much do you need to earn weekly?  If you are self-employed you won't get paid holidays, sick leave etc. and it can be a lonely business at times.  You will need an accountant, be self-motivated and believe in yourself and your abilities, be professional in all your dealings, creative, inspiring and persuasive because you will have to convince people to use your services and ideas, send out quotations, get contracts drawn up, chase up late payments, put up with an irregular income, use and get to know contractors and be able to hold your own with them, take out insurance etc. etc.  and have access to a vehicle that will cope with the demands of your new career.

You could take on garden maintenance but it can be extremely hard work and seasonal.  Garden centres will pay you £5 an hour for a 40 hour week, working every other weekend, which is the usual deal.  You could try garden design but you must get a good horticultural qualification (RHS General say) then, as I did, get a qualification in amenity horticulture, planting design, and then a good garden design qualification.  You can gain so much from attending a good horticultural college working towards qualifications with like-minded people who will offer support and guidance.  I know this could be a problem for you but it really is the best way.

Do some due diligence.  Check your local market.  Identify your potential clients and the service they want.  Bear in mind that interest rates are rising and will continue to do so.  They are already beginning to bite.  

I hope this won't put you off but I wanted to be realistic.  I love what I do.  I could earn a lot more working in the City as I used to but I'd rather have the control and NOT have to work for someone I don't like, making money for someone else, to their timetable.

[aquilegia]

Hi Karen - welcome on board. I'm a refugee from the beeb too.

Thanks for the advice. I definitely wouldn't be able to set up my own business - I'd just end up in my garden all the time and I don't have the confidence or motivation to do it myself.

Heat could be a problem for me - I do tend to dehydrate very easily. (I'm quite petite - so it's a bit like being a small pot - I dry out quicker than a large one!) hmm - maybe a rethink.

And I couldn't work weekends, so garden centre is out.

I'm planning on doing my RHS General this year. Even if it doesn't lead to a job, I will enjoy doing it and learn a lot.

My dream would be to work managing the countryside. I live near to one of the big royal parks. I must look into what they offer and require...

[Bionic Wellies]

I have every intention of moving away from this office job and buying a smallholding and as part of my searching I found the following site offering correspondence courses http://www.hccollege.co.uk/ and they don't seem to be too expensive either.  I believe that you can start courses at any time and they will definitely tailor courses to suite what you want.  One of the tutors called me back after I had made some enquiries and was most helpful.

[aquilegia]

Thanks Bionic - I've already sent off for a prospectus! Good to hear that they have been good to you, though.

[viv]

Hi, sorry to butt in here.

I've just started doing my RHS General this year and it is very good - even though we are doign fruit and veg at the moment which I have no interest in.

I'm also looking for a career change so am planning on doing some basic design courses after this one and we shall see what happens!