Gardening and Landscaping help

Conway MA

Description

Hi there, I'm an organic gardener/landscaper looking to have some help! My business is growing which is exciting, but I can't do it alone. A mentor told me recently- "Starting a business is like jumping out of a plane and building your parachute as you fall." This couldn't be more correct! I am based in Conway but have the majority of my clients in Northampton, MA and surrounding areas. With that said, I'm looking for someone (you?) who has a good eye for detail, at least some experience with plants, and a great work ethic. The ability to lift 50lbs is crucial (such as mulching, doing stone work, spreading compost) and move around with focus and thoughtfulness are essential. I have ADHD so I understand if we bounce around in the gardens, but the ability to keep working is imperative. I will work with you in training on certain techniques but if you have a way that works best for you to get the job done, then great! I am flexible and understanding with personal issues. I am a mom of two young kids, so I get it- we all have hiccups and run late- I am guilty of that myself- we are only human and stuff happens. I would love to support women who need work. I have a young man who is working with me now who I worked with at Magic Wings Butterfly conservatory. Another essential part of my business is growing gardens for pollinators and birds! I enjoy educating my clients and anyone who is interested about the benefits of insects and animals that need their gardens to survive. Please reach out to me if you are interested in working with me in helping my clients maintain and grow gardens that bring joy and peace to their minds in this insane time we are living in. It really is rewarding work! I pay well, and with my business just growing this would be subcontractor work, so I would give you a W-9 tax form to fill out and give back to me. There would be a 1 week trial period where we work together where I train you at my home gardens on a couple of days, and then we set off to work at my clients if we feel like it's a good fit. I'd pay cash to start, $18/hr the first training week- with definite raises if you can demonstrate you are learning and a good worker. Potential for $20-$25/hr depending on availability and performance. Looking forward to meeting you, maybe! Serious inquiries only. Photos are of my gardens, flowers, and some critters. ***I want to add another additional section, because I feel it is important: So this is an email I received from Todd, below- after I requested “serious inquiries only” for working for me. I'd like for everyone to read it, and I feel it's pathetic and sad that there are so many people that make judgements about people they don't even know. And I had to use my valuable time to sit down and respond to this man, Todd, which honestly I didn't need to- but I want to. I'd like to respond on here, on Craiglist- so maybe you, and other people know a little bit more about me. You sent me a nasty email all because I mentioned a couple of books that I think are essential in any gardener's library, because as a gardener in New England, I can't garden during the winter time, and getting books from the library on gardening is a way for me to continue learning about plants and dream about gardening in spring until the doldrums of winter are over. You can connect with other people through any “style” whether it be music, gardening, fashion, food, games, collections, etc. Please enjoy Todd's email below. Todd, you know who you are. From Todd: “your telling people to read this book about someone else’s work !! that’s the thing now a days someone has to be like the other person! people who buy calvin cline clothes people hurry to buy it and act like it’s there company they made the millions them by stupid people that have to be like them ! and as for u needed a book to do something as landscape can’t be your own right let’s copy someone sing the same song that’s already been sung ! Try growing up for a change cuz books don’t tell you shit ! trying is what teaches you how do u think they learned it just do it ! can tell you one thing without some kinda walk way through out looks like shit ! just looks like i’m looking at weeds and flowers! but you should get another book !” For those that are curious as to what books I mentioned, but then I deleted them because I felt so uncomfortable after receiving this harassing email above, I want to mention this gardener's name again, who I resonate with, and appreciate, so you can get a sense of what I appreciate as a gardener, if you were to work with me. My gardening friend just told me about this guy, last fall. His name is Piet Oudolf, and he's a Dutch Landscape Designer. I also recommend (if you will be working with me) to get the reference book Weeds of the Northeast, so you can learn and identify potential weeds or native plants in people's gardens and have the book as a reference if we aren't working together and to study it, because real plant lovers read books on plants, especially in the winter. For the record: I do not copy anyone's garden plans. I make my own, but draw inspiration from many different people and create my own visions because every property is slightly unique and different with growing conditions, and every client has their own particular tastes, as well as I have mine. I love some plants more than others. Many of the gardens in Piet's books are in Europe, and some of the plants can't grow in our zone in New England. I have been gardening for over 30 years, ever since I was a young girl. I grew up appreciating my grandmother's gardens, and worked with my mother in her gardens and for her gardening clients when I was a teenager. I've worked at a few garden centers/plant nurseries, and worked for other landscapers when I was in my twenties. Landscapers would ask me for advice when I was working at those nurseries on certain plants. I then went on to work for myself throughout my 20s landscaping for people, and doing other jobs such as farming on a couple of organic farms. After my children were born I started my business back up again, and I don't want to be doing anything else. I have been “doing it” for years and the fact that I'm posting an ad, asking for help because my business is growing, and people like what I do speaks volumes and makes me feel valued. Thank you! And thank you to all who have inquired about the job. I will get back to you as soon as I can. It is hard to make time to sit down between family and work, but I will respond to you.