Ever since the pandemic began, a lot of us have found more time to spend on our hobbies. Most people have delved into their passions mainly to pass the time, but for others, they have made their hobby into a profit-generating activity that can line their pockets with extra money. And who doesn’t like some extra cash, especially in the middle of a pandemic?
Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies for people of all ages, and if you’re an avid green thumb, the extra time to care for your garden is surely one of the silver linings of this quarantine for you. However, gardening doesn’t have to be just a hobby. It can also be a great way to earn extra money on the side.
Here are some great ideas to start earning from your garden today:
1. Sell plants
Selling plants is one of the easiest ways to earn money from your garden. You can sell seedlings for people who want to grow their own plants, re-potted flowers or indoor plants for decorations, and even colorful arrangements with small succulents and indoor herbs. Although you might have to invest in landscape supplies and tools, selling plants can bring you a good profit, especially when you tap into the right market.
2. Sell dried or fresh herbs
Put that flourishing herb garden to good use and start selling culinary herbs either fresh or in dried form. Put your herbs for sale at the local farmer’s market (or sell them to your family, friends, and neighbors). You can sell fresh sprigs or even re-pot the plants themselves with the root intact.
If you want your herbs to last longer, you can dry your herbs at home and seal them in plastic bags or small mason jars. Alternatively, you can combine the herbs with oil and salts for easy addition to dishes.
3. Sell seeds
Another easy way to make a profit from your garden is to sell the seeds that you save. You can sell them as is in sets of 10 or 20, depending on the type of plant, or put them in little seed balls to make it easy for your customers to plant them in their own gardens.
4. Sell produce
Does your garden produce healthy amounts of vegetables and fruits? If so, you can sell them at a local market for a great profit. However, this type of venture will require more effort, time, and money, but the ROI will be definitely worth it. Apart from the farmer’s market, you can sell your fresh produce to local restaurants, cafes, and of course, the people you know.
Another great way to make money from your produce is to turn them into food or beverage products right in your own kitchen. For example, you can blend up your fruits and vegetables into healthy organic smoothies. On the other hand, you can use your baking skills to whip up tasty baked products with fruits and vegetables inside. The possibilities are endless; you just have to get a bit creative to find the products you want to make.
5. Sell flowers
If you have a great selection of flowers in your garden, you can sell them for a profit by arranging them in pretty bouquets or transferring them into pots. You can even make dried petals from your wilted flowers to sell as decorative elements to craft people.
6. Sell homemade soaps
Do you want to get more creative with your herbs and flowers? You can use them for homemade soaps to create stunning and unique designs. Fresh or dry, these organic elements will make your soaps more fragrant, organic, and aesthetically-pleasing.
7. Host classes
Share your knowledge with the world by teaching gardening classes to aspiring green thumbs. However, since the pandemic is still ongoing, social distancing, proper hygiene protocols, and mask-wearing are a must if you want to conduct in-person classes. Alternatively, you can send starter packages to customers and host a webinar so that they can follow your instructions from the safety of their own homes.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of ways you can make money from your garden, and the list definitely doesn’t stop here. But whichever money-making route you choose, ensure that you check with your local rules to find out how you can sell your products legally.
Making money from your hobby is one of the most fulfilling feelings in the world. Now that you have more time to spend taking care of your garden, why not turn that green thumb into a green thumb counting dollars?
If you’ve had experience with profiting from your garden before, how did you do it? Share your story with us in the comments below.
