Kitchen Garden Forum

it does, doesn't it!
I'd like to thank every one of you for your help and advice. I'm very moved at the generosity of you all!
I've decided - I'm going to do it. I'm going to start small and see where it takes me.
Now. At what point do I get business cards etc?

Hi Lynne,
I would do your training before you start because once you embark on something you are unlikely to then go to college.
There is one hell of a difference between being a very keen amateur and being the lowliest of professionals.
People expect a professional job and from somebody who can speak from knowledge. Now I'm not for one moment saying that you know nothing but when you state something and you are wrong it will come back to haunt you in the years to come.
It is good to be able to produce a variety of shrubs and Perennials that you can sell to your customers. How are you on propagation, Cuttings, Grafting etc,.
The tending of seeds right through to selling.
These will stand you in good stead and also instead of having to go to a nursery to buy plants you can supplement your earnings.
If you are going into business make sure you are businesslike.
JB.

Hi JB
I agree entirely!
I'm just in the process of getting the details of the RHS certificate which is run at Newbury College on an evening.

Interesting comments about growing my own plants - I've actually just agreed a deal with a local nursery to buy 100 Gardener's Delight organically grown tomato plants!
I love propagating my own plants - I find it hugely rewarding, and for the last couple of years I've sold annual seeds on eBay (albeit at a very teeny tiny level!)

I've also had a chat with a chap who did the paving on my terrace about starting ones own business, and he's coming round one evening next week to advise me on everything from quotations, to equipment, to tax!

One of the reasons that I'm so disillusioned with the corporate world is the lack of professionalism and accountability. My ex boss said that I was principled beyond belief, and I intend to continue in that way. I wouldn't profess to be anything other than a keen amateur, and until I'm qualified to call myself something other than that I shan't misrepresent myself. My customers deserve far more than that, don't they?

Hi Lunne,
Re your last paragraph. I hope that I didn't upset you with my last comment.
Glad to know that you are into propagation.
To me propagation is the best of horticulture and as that is what my nursery was all about and to stick it for all those years I must have liked it!
Best of Luck.
JB.

gosh no, I'm not at all offended!
I'm really delighted with all the comments and warnings. I believe in planning (heck I even created a project plan for doing up the Asst. Est. Mgr's kitchen!) and I want to be properly prepared for this major change in my life.

I'm going to take cuttings etc from even more of my plants at the appropriate time, so that I have a stock, for either selling, or filling bare bits in my own garden!

Keep all the comments coming, they're all most welcome!

thanks so much to everyone!