For those not in the loop, I got a job gardening in June this year. I've learned a shitload in that short period of time, along with what I knew coming into it.
A few days ago, the company I worked for was on our last day of the season. We were doing a bit of leaf clean up, trimming, cutting back dead perennials, etc. A woman approached us and asked for our company's card, and I gave it to her. She mentioned she had some bulbs she wanted help getting in the ground along with a good bit of perennials. I told her it was our last day of the season and she asked if I would do it as a side gig. So I got her number and we agreed on Saturday (yesterday).
I showed up to her home at 8am and worked until sundown. She kicked my ass. A massive amount of digging, bulbs, weeding, dividing, cutting through landscape fabric, etc. She was amazingly kind, fun to work with, and a lifelong gardener so she had some cool tricks up her sleeve.
At the end of the day she gave me a check for more than double my hourly rate, a huge box of mixed bulbs, ferns, organic produce (she bought), snacks, and she provided me lunch.
I am just amazed. Her and her husband were really fantastic people and I'm really hoping for her to ask me for some help in the spring.
I really love gardening as a profession. We're all gonna make it.
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[–] cyclops1771 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
Yeah, I will take photos, before and after, for sure!!!
The mother plant has been amazing - was 4' tall when I planted her in 2006. Today, she is 40' tall, has survived 2 hurricanes, and is strong as an ox!
edit: I had picked out one, but the gardener at the garden center suggested I take her - he said, "She grew strong this year, this is a good, strong plant." Now, whenever I go and buy one, I ask the gardeners, "Which one has done best this year?" Because they are the ones who really know the plants.
[–] middle_path [S] ago
Great tip. It is true. Though I don't work at a nursery, I do see the same plants every day. They all have personality.