Sound to me like you might be better off working as a consultant for another larger or more established firm. Or perhaps specializing in work that may be less glamorous but is always in demand, such as doing cost estimating or helping to produce construction documents for another firm. Those are the sorts of work tasks in the design world that always need additional staff, and the most likely to fit in with your need to earn immediate cash. You probably also know that high end garden maintenance and fine pruning are skill sets that are also always in demand, but it doesn't sound like you have the physical capabilities to do that sort of work with whatever your health problems are.

I think you know that there aren't any easy methods for generating new work, I'd suggest you work your previous client list and ask if they can give you referrals, that has always been my single best source of new work. Giving slide shows or talks for local garden clubs, local nurseries, local horticulture societies has also always brought in some immediate work for me, but they usually tend to be smaller jobs and budgets. Getting linked in with contractors or architects/interior designers who specialize in remodels or kitchen design also seems to be a good source of work, as people spending $50,000 or more on a kitchen remodel are already prequalified to be more disposed to spend money on their home, and this may transfer to the garden if your work/designs speaks to them.

It doesn't hurt to be friendly with owners and staff at local nurseries to generate referrals, and I appreciate having a strong network of fellow garden designers as friends, and we throw work each other's way when possible or necessary.

None of these are sure fire methods for getting new clients and immediate work, but you may not have thought of them.

I understand your concern and can sympathize - I have several designer friends that are seriously feeling the pinch. The economy is affecting the landscape design marketplace overall and jobs - any jobs - are becoming much less frequent.

All of David's advice above is excellent. The only other thought I could add would be to associate yourself with a better local retail nursery. Often they will have listing of designers for referral or sometimes even work out a partnership with a dedicated designer. I was fortunate to find a relationship like this and even in a weak economy and in a rather rural area, I am not hurting for jobs. But they are pretty much the only game in town except for the box stores, so everyone in the area comes to my nursery. Not necessarily high-end (although it does attract a very upscale market nearby) but still reliable and consistent work.

Have you considered mentoring or garden coaching? This is a pretty popular niche market in my area and generally schools the DIY'er on various gardening practices or techniques/design issues that they are unfamiliar with. Tends to be more seasonal than not but another source of labor-light income. And of course any kind of speaking/teaching opportunities are great. I'd look into whatever credentials you might need to take advantage of these as well. I teach at a local hort school parttime (as well as offering free classes at the nursery on their paycheck) and do all manner of garden club, plant association or parks department gigs whenever I can.

Assess and evaluate your skills as thoroughly as you can and then look for opportunities to market them in less traditional ways. Writing, teaching, consulting, coaching are all ways one can extend design skills and plant knowledge into other sources of income.

So sorry to hear about your situation. I wanted to second bahia's suggestion about seeking to get connected with architects or designers. We recently finished a major renovation, and when it came time to interview landscape designers we got a referral from our architect. Since by that time we knew him well and trusted his taste, his referral carried weight, and in fact we ended up hiring that designer.

Good luck, and courage!

Thank you kindly to all who posted suggestions and words of support. :) Some great ideas! I know I need to get more involved with networking, but unfortunately when one is not well, that is a very difficult thing to do, so it has been at the bottom of my list. Maybe I can make a point to email one contractor or designer a day, to try and make a connection....

We do have an upscale nursery in my city, however it is owned by a large close-knit family, and they keep all the design work "in house" (I've approached them before). I've actually found this to be true of most of the nurseries that are in Southern CA area. There seem to be many designers that work at nurseries, or are related to those who own/work at nurseries!:D

I also cannot work for a firm, unless I can do all work at home, as my health issue is made much worse by fluorescent lights and general office conditions (I have a vestibular disorder, amongst other things). It's quite the precarious situation. I think I might need to find some other kind of work in a totally different field, something I can do at home or with very flexible hours that would allow me to work when I'm feeling my best....if anything like that exists!

I feel trapped between a rock and a hard place!

Thanks again everyone! It's nice to have support and hear your ideas, during this difficult time. :)

MT