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Comment by Kathy Green on May 11, 2010 at 8:49am

Hi Katie,

Thanks for taking the time to check out my website. As far as how I work, it depends on the project. Design projects are either by the hour or the design plan. If I am doing coaching I spend a bit of time on the phone/email with the client before going to their house so I know what we are concentrating on. I do consulting, planning, planting, education (ie how to plant, grow, prune, garden without chemicals, etc.), a little maintenance, and help people learn to love gardening! It is a very personalized experience, so I can't give you any specifics - every coach is different. You need to have your "niche" be what you want it to be.

As far as how to start, please see the previous comments I left on here regarding reading the discussion threads on the Garden Coach Directory website. The important thing to remember is to treat this as a "business". That means business documents, insurance, licenses if required in your state, and a business plan (even if just a sheet of your thoughts). Remember, you are going onto people's property, so you need at least General Liability insurance in case you majorly screw something up while there. Figure out your yearly costs, your potential income, and then see if this is what you want to do for a business. It takes a lot of research!

HTH,

Kathy

Comment by Katie Lynch on April 28, 2010 at 12:04pm

Thanks Kathy for your helpful advice!
I just looked at your website and your company. It looks great!
Do you have a survey that you have clients fill out? Do you charge by the hour or the job? Do you just consult or actually help them plant a garden?
I'm pretty knowledgeable having gardened in this area for 30 years, and friends are often asking me to come to their homes to help them with their gardening issues. So I'm considering all that is involved in putting out my "shingle".
What would be the first things to think about in starting something up?

Thanks,
Katie

Here is the website again, if anyone wants more info on coaching.... http://gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com/

Comment by Kathy Green on April 28, 2010 at 10:17am

Sherie,

If you look through some of the discussion threads you will see things about business related topics, many of which I have started myself. Please take some of your time to look there and see what you can find, concentrating on those posted in 2009. Garden Coaching is somewhat like Garden Consulting, so you need to have a firm background in gardening, insects, pruning, etc. before you reall think about becoming a "Garden Coach". For example, most have some sort of horticultural training, master gardener training, green industry, etc.

You also need to know how to run a business as a business and not as a hobby. There are several threads discussing this. Like any small business startup you need to do your homework, get insurance, business licenses, etc. People in general are wary of "Garden Coaches" or Consultants who do not really know their climates, growing conditions, etc. There are no classes to help you get a "Garden Coaching" certification. I have been a gardener for more than 40 years, am a Master Gardener, and also have a Garden Design Business. You can find my profile at http://gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com/account/KathyGreen which can show you some ideas.

Hope this helps,

Kathy

Comment by Kathy Green on April 28, 2010 at 9:01am

I am a Garden Coach in Colorado, and also one of the moderators for the Garden Coach Directory, which can be found at http://gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com/

The Garden Coach Directory has members from all over the United States, as well as discussions on coaching business, trends and others. If you have any questions at all about what Garden Coaching is or how to find a coach in your area I would be happy to help you out!

Kathy Green

Comment by Rebecca Rose Prodoehl Burlingham on April 27, 2010 at 12:56pm

I am in the South West Corner of Ohio. Zone 5. Everyone else?

Comment by Katie Lynch on April 25, 2010 at 8:39pm

I'm located in Eastern Massachusetts. Where are you located? Maybe you should be a Gardening Coach! Think of all the people you encourage and help- only you could get paid for it!

Comment by Denise Moczygemba on April 25, 2010 at 8:37pm

This looks interesting! I could certainly use some coaching (and I may be able to add a little, too) Thanks for starting the group! Where are you located?