Many articles will have a go at telling you how to earn a bit more money in your spare time. You will no doubt surf the Internet and come across hundreds of potential schemes for supplementing your income, many of which will promise you riches in the short term. Try a new approach and consider something a bit closer to home.
If you have a bit of spare garden you can earn a modest income by growing high value fruits and vegetables. If you think this sounds a rather implausible business opportunity, consider what is involved making extra money from your exisiting property.
Farmers can earn several thousands per acre of farm owned. A market gardener can earn several tens of thousands. Specialist producers can earn even more, serving a small niche market using higher density production techniques. Furthermore, if the right item is grown, it is possible to earn much more. Therefore it only takes a small area of a hundred or two square yards to grow some crops that will earn extra cash for you.
The benefit of growing produce close to home is that it can be monitored constantly. It is necessary because dense stocking methods will need to be employed. Rearing stock at high stocking densities, or intensive production of plants, does have additional risks of diseases and also as a target for thieves. Close attention on a small scale can reduce this risk.
Deciding on the appropriate crop can be the hardest part. High value specialty produce is a very good choice, and to aim to add further value by growing outside the main season or selecting strains that are unusual. Packing and preparing is a way to maximise income by further adding of value.
Production ideas are very diverse. Ornamental plants are a good choice as individual values can be high. Potted plants, orchids and cacti are obvious candidates, and if you have a greenhouse or are able to build a poly-tunnel the potential increases.
Growing crocuses for the very high valued stamens to be used as saffron is not quite such an obvious choice, but is an example of a small cottage industry that has been established to fill a niche market. Locally produced goods on a smaller scale can attract a regular customer base who are prepared to pay more than they would for imported goods.
Another idea would be to grow rhubarb for example. This is a crop that can be grown almost year round. Then by using it to make a special product such as ginger and rhubarb preserve, sales at premium prices can be achieved at local high class outlets.
A single garage is a big enough space to start an indoor tropical fish production unit if you plan the layout right. Getting extra money for selling young fish is feasible, and many species are highly valuable which need just a little experience and patience to cultivate successfully for local sales.
Whatever venture you decide upon there must be careful planning before you start to earn any money. Having the confidence to rear juvenile fish is essential, and you need to spend time learning how to do it properly. The best strains must be researched together with any special techniques required. You will need to find out what price they are selling for in your locality and also decide on how you will market your produce. Joining a local hobbyist society is a good idea to start with.
Growing and cultivating is a healthy way to pass your time and incredibly therapeutic also. Even if you are unable to give up your day job, growing plants or livestock such as fish will provide a restful way of supplementing you wealth.
