| Why not start a home based landscape business that | | | | Susans, honeysuckle, lavender, sunflowers, phlox, |
| makes money. Today, we will look at an easy | | | | butterfly weed, purple sage, purple salvia, zinnia, |
| step-by-step guide to make money in your home | | | | lobelia, and cherry laurel. |
| based landscape business. | | | | 2) Honeybee Gardens |
| Landscaping is in great demand today. Developers | | | | Honeybees are dying out everywhere and this could |
| want landscapers to design gardens for commercial | | | | spell disaster for our food supply. According to the |
| buildings. Real estate agents want neat gardens to | | | | U.S. Department of Agriculture, one-third of our food |
| increase the value of a home. | | | | is pollinated by insects. And, 80% of these are |
| Homeowners want theme gardens. Some popular | | | | honeybees. |
| themes are the Garden of Eden, the Hanging | | | | People everywhere are clamoring for honeybee |
| Gardens of Babylon, and the Gardens of Versailles. | | | | gardens. Some even set up honeybee boxes in their |
| Here are 3 steps to help you start your home | | | | gardens in hopes the bees will come. You can provide |
| business and become a professional landscaper: | | | | honeybee boxes as part of your service and maintain |
| 1) Check out the licenses you need at your state and | | | | them as an added service. |
| local government. | | | | Honeybees are attracted to sunflowers, Spanish |
| 2) Join a national trade association such as the | | | | lavender, watermelon, gloxinia, raspberry bushes, and |
| American Nursery & Landscape Association | | | | cherry and apple blossoms. They particularly love |
| (ANLA). They provide beginning landscapers with the | | | | common weeds such as goldenrod, milkweed, clover, |
| help they need. They offer educational programs, and | | | | buttercups, dandelions, and bishops weed. |
| advice with licensing. They also provide credit card | | | | Native honeybees are not aggressive but may sting |
| processing and help in setting up your home business. | | | | if stepped on or swatted. |
| In addition, they offer insurance. | | | | Warning! A honeybee sting can cause an allergic |
| The ANLA provides networking opportunities and | | | | person to go into shock. Verify that you and your |
| trade fairs. These give you a chance to learn the | | | | clients are not allergic to bee stings. |
| ropes on the job with established landscapers. | | | | 3) Xeriscaped Gardens |
| 3) Establish your credibility with three references. In | | | | There is a type of landscaping called xeriscaping. |
| the beginning you can provide landscaping services to | | | | Xeriscaping is landscaping with plants that tolerate |
| family and friends and ask them for references. Your | | | | drought. This is done in arid areas where there is little |
| membership in the trade association as well as the | | | | water available or where it is necessary to conserve |
| Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business | | | | water. |
| Bureau will further enhance your credibility. | | | | The types of plants used are called xeric plants. Not |
| Take a look at these quick and easy ways to find | | | | only do they need little water, but they also flourish |
| clients: | | | | with little or no fertilizer. |
| * Place door hangers with a description of your | | | | Most xeric plants are succulents. Agave is a tall plant |
| landscaping service on doors in your area. | | | | and very popular in xeriscaping. Others include |
| * Post ads in the local newspaper and on community | | | | lavender, tickweed, yarrow, sagebrush, catmint, |
| bulletin boards. | | | | ornamental oregano, and grasses such as |
| * Place magnetic decals with the name of your home | | | | Shenandoah switch grass. |
| business and telephone number on your car and ask | | | | Becoming a landscaper and running your business so |
| friends to do the same. | | | | that you work from home can give you a lot of |
| There are 3 fascinating gardens that are all the rage | | | | satisfaction. You soon may want to hire employees |
| today: | | | | or independent contractors to do all of the planting |
| 1) Butterfly Gardens | | | | work. |
| Everybody loves big, orange, Monarch butterflies and | | | | If you are creative and love the outdoors, you may |
| you can plant a garden to attract them in droves. | | | | find it great to start a home based landscape |
| Butterflies are attracted to bright-colored flowers and | | | | business that makes money. It will fill you with joy |
| bushes that grow in full sun. | | | | and satisfaction. |
| Some butterfly favorites include dahlias, black-eyed | | | | |