I took business courses. I canvassed the West Vancouver area, which had a large percentage of homeowners with large properties and disposable income. I walked door-to-door with pamphlets. I put up posters. With very little start-up capital, I had to make it work quickly.

My first job was a massive cleanup of a 1-acre ocean side terraced property off Marine Drive. With loppers, pruners and shears, I spent a month clearing up the “jungle” enveloping the property.

The owner’s aunt was so impressed with my dedication and quality of work, she hired me next. Then the sister called me. With this little toehold, I started expanding into the neighbourhood. Word of mouth really works in West Vancouver.

In addition to gardening, I always made sure I had time for a cup of coffee and a chat with the client. No charge. Many of my clients were elderly and didn’t have many visitors. We would discuss whatever the client wanted: Gardens, plants, art, politics, literature, science or a chin wag about their family and life.

It was time well spent. It’s probably what got me hired. What the seniors didn’t realize was that their chats were the highlight of my day.

Although I adore gardening, I found hours and hours of pulling weeds, trimming hedges, planting annuals and perennials mind-numbing. It was those chats that kept me sane.