How Google Decimated My Income - Let's talk while I do a garden chore!

[@lelau7981]

Technology has been both a friend and a foe. I have followed you for many years and it hurts to know what this has done to you. I began watching your painting videos which were on my level and I appreciate your patient voice. I am 71 and I really love how you translate the beauty of your gorgeous flowers into art. Please know you have a legion of followers out here that appreciate all that you do for us.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are so kind, I have really been floundering on my painting channel and website. I just can't seem to get back into the swing of things there but I am trying. I think a good purge and organization of my studio will help. My husband has offered to help me as it gets overwhelming at times. I want to try painting some zinnias from photos I took in my Artists Garden this year.🙂 Thank you for your encouragement!

[@tsdogsdragonfliesfarm2307]

I love that you put this info out there. Just do what you love things will work itself out.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, falling back on what I love is key to finding contentment and being happy in the now. Thank you.

[@sandyasposito8262]

I'm sorry this happened to you! Keep up doing your great work, I love watching your Utubes because you are down to earth & explain everything easy for us!! 😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I do try and keep it as easy as possible, glad you know you are finding it that way. I enjoyed filming in the greenhouse yesterday so I know I will keep at it.

[@juneramirez8580]

Well if it helps, this is the first time your video showed up and I subscribed. I hope you can find a way to reinvent yourself. I am 74, healing from cancer and just started to try and sell some of my many plants. I live on one acre so I have the room and the time, retired, and love propagating and dividing plants. I am working on my inventory and did sell a few plants at a friends garage sale. I have had to reinvent mystlf a few times in my life so I am getting used to it! Lol. Anyway, I do hope you find a new source of income soon! I will be watching your channel now! Thank you for the time you put into it!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are so kind! Thank you for subbing and I hope you enjoy your time spent here. Sometimes the reinventing can be fun and doing something new or making what you are doing fresh can be rather invigorating. I love propagating plants is a passion of mine too and doing it for added income sounds like work but so enjoyable. I wish you the best. I just picked up some plants a local garden friend started for me and I am starting some roses for her. I think it makes a garden special when you get a plant start from someone you know.

[@gritapollock8237]

Thank you for your encouraging reflections this morning. I too am struggling financially and sometimes the anxiety is hard to cope with. But gardening which I neglected for many years has now become a refuge since my partner died 2 years ago. Gratitude is a key to contentment and I appreciate your reminder, it helped.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

It's so good you have found a refuge in your garden. This week and next are the anniversaries of my parents' deaths and things seem to hit harder than usual during this period. I am so happy you found this encouraging, that was my intent. I almost did not post this video, it seems a bit too raw and personal, most folks want the cheery and light to escape their own realities but sometimes it is nice to know you are not alone in your struggles.

[@juneramirez8580]

Gratitude is what gets us through tough times! So many of us are struggling, trying to find ways to cope! Gardening and tending to my animals gets me through each day. Life can be good even on bad days when you look for the good. It's there though hidden! As long as we keep putting one foot in front of the other and don't give up, things can get better! Wishing you all well!

[@juneramirez8580]

​@@FlowerPatchFarmhouseI lost my parents in different years. My birthday is in June. My father died 6 days after my birthday and my Mother 9 years later 8 days after. So I understand!

[@clarefoskett9959]

I love everything that you create and you are very good at explaining methods. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you, I do try and be mindful of explaining well enough that a beginner can understand while not boring the more experienced gardeners.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Hey Pam. Dropped by to share a quick Petunia story with you. Found your channel 2-3 years ago, when I first decided to grow them from seed myself. Great advice and the Rev recommendation did seem to work. We have not bought any Petunia's since. As a matter of fact, they planted themselves this last Spring. 100's of them. Last Fall while putting the garden to rest, it all came down to the patio furniture and 12 glazed, heavy, ceramic pots that still had soil and dying petunias in them. I put them all in a group in one corner of the patio, stuffed the crisp dying plants down into the pots and surrendered to Winter. I'd had enough. I love our full 4 seasons, but I hate giving into Winter. We live in Maine where everything freezes solid and stays frozen for 4-5 months. Fast forward to this last Spring. Got veg beds sorted, cold crop plants started and was time to sort out what I thought would be a pile of cracked clay pots and mud. NOPE. While pulling the 1st brittle plants I notice a sea of tiny green leaves on the surface of the soil. Every pot. None cracked. YUP! All self-germinated Petunias. 100's and 100's of them. Even better, what where originally 3 individual colors were now dozens of variations from previous cross pollination. Natural Beauty. Cut and propagated, into multiple pots. Watching you pull that Petunia made me wonder if you may not have some volunteer Petunias self-germinate amongst your wintered over Pansies. As to the Google thing, there was a channel I used to follow that once a week would do a video called "Weekend Edition" where he'd answer questions more in depth from comments. And link the answer to a video in your library for more information. For newbies that seems newbies, and even some experienced gardeners, would appreciate. Best of Luck

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Sorry the REV didn't perform for you, side by side tests for me did impress me but as I say there is no 'one size fits all' in gardening. Yes, I love getting the self seeded petunias coming back but usually the Supertunias don't set seed so I won't hold my breath for getting any petunias from these. Though I could gather seeds from my WAVE petunias and toss them in the barrels. I have a video here somewhere about how I fill my windowboxes for free and basically that is what I share, I leave the petunias and soil in them through the winter and they reseed themselves to come up the next season. And as you say, half the fun is seeing how they crossed for interesting colors. I even had one that was pink and white splotched. The sweet alyssum reseeds to in the same container so it is a double win. Thanks for the suggestion on the Weekend Edition, that sounds very doable.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse No, No, I did say "The Rev recommendation did seem to work." But then I said, "We haven't bought any petunias since." The Rev did work well. The hard part was keeping clones alive indoors for 5-6 months. 😞 TYFS Pam

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

In winter I would like it if you would talk about houseplants. I found your video about holiday cacti very helpful.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Great suggestion! Thank you.

[@marybethgardener111]

I knew you had a blog b/c you've mentioned it but I only visited it a few times. I mainly just watch your videos. So sorry to hear that you've been so affected by these Google updates :(

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I am not alone, many folks have been put out of work by Googles changes, even huge bloggers who had staff and payroll. At least I did not have to lay off folks because of this, that is even harder to deal with. I know I can pivot and be fine, I just need to figure out what I want to do that is best.

[@teinahenderson4182]

Good morning Pam 🥰 My goodness! I’m sorry to hear this regarding your blog! Life gets lifey!! Thank you for sharing your journey and being so authentic. It’s very refreshing. Sending up prayers for wisdom and peace as you navigate forward. I have so many thoughts!!! lol 😂 I spent a good number of years as a director of marketing in my “former” life 😅 I’d love to brainstorm with you. We’re leaving on vacation for a week, but maybe we can connect in no November. ❤ Hugs!!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

What a perfect word for it..."lifey", I don't view it as hardship, really, more of a challenge. Yes, wisdom is needed and for my peace to continue. I am at peace as we work our way through this hiccup in life. Sometimes these little bumps in the road make us focus and come back to simple, which is not a bad thing. You have a great vacation and I would love to get together and have a coffee! 🙂

[@clarefoskett9959]

I like to watch the practical as I have mobility issues and manage my daily requirements carefully in the garden environment. I do alot of stuff seated and your potting up systems fit my need. Thank you for your encouragement.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you for letting me know what you truly benefit from here. I like knowing what many find helpful for them, it gives me direction.

[@bjbrown6488]

Sorry to hear what's been going on. I hope it can be remedied😢 I do prefer KZbin for gardening info. Hope it all goes well for you. Agree with counting our blessings which keeps everythingin perspective. God bless you, from Western Colorado

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you, I appreciate your kind words. I grew up with parents and grandparents that toughed it out during the Great Depression! I have all the years of their influence and their sage words on how to be content and focusing on what can be done and not what was. I am so thankful for that as I know this is a moment in time and it is not the end of the world and this is not a whoa is me video but a sharing of experience to help others see the bright side of life during the tough times.

[@petersavage5885]

Great to hear, Pam. That generation were made of tough stuff. My own grandparents had to survive the air raids in Liverpool during WW2. I know what else would survive, those giant bees you have over there. :)

[@gardenfairygodmother1893]

I found your channel via Janey at Dig Plant Water and Repeat. I like that you are different, it is like listening to a gardener friend, please don't change. I think your most watched video is the rose propagation one. So maybe more plant propagation videos as everyone loves free plants. I also love a big seed haul unboxing video.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you. You are correct my older rose propagation video is still my #1 watched video. I am working on propagating more plants now by division and I intend to video more of that.

[@chocklabs]

Never checked your blog.. only watch on here and I love it. I do have a question on wintering young hydrageas in the green house. This are the new proven winners small hydranges, they only get 2-3 ft. I would love to watch more videos on what can be kept in unheated green house and how. Thanks again for your videos I am in northern lower michigan, near Traverse city. Cold long winters OR should I get them in the ground as soon as possible. I just planted them up and waiting for your advice~

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

As a matter of fact I have some little hydrangeas needing to but potted up and I intend to overwinter them in the greenouse since they are so tiny. I will get to work on that right away as we are to dip down into freezing temps by Monday!

[@marilynmiller2646]

I love your videos. You are creative and down to earth. I watch as soon as you post a new one. Keep it up. You are great!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I will! I appreciate you!

[@daiseegray9110]

As a master gardener I agree with your comments. I use to follow blogs but find it more personal to watch a video and connect with content creators. What can we do? Like, comment, let us know! 🌼🐝

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you. It is hard to say what can be done. That is my dilemma, if I cannot recover the traffic to my blog (and from what I am seeing that is doubtful to occur) I need to be spending my time elsewhere to make up for the loss. But there are many options and choosing which one is best is the hard part. I do love making vids for KZbin but they are labor and time intensive compared. My art blog was not effected but I did not rely on Google for that traffic. I could make better with it if I applied myself to it more and that may be the direction I go while doing garden videos too. Once I settle on something and get busy on it, I am sure I will see what will work out best.

[@marksiezure3285]

Sorry to hear about the troubles Google is causing. I've never been to your website (only started with your videos).

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you. I do love creating the videos, they let me be creative and who cannot smile when a rose is blooming and perfuming the air!

[@rhondaschenk5727]

Bless your heart, Pam. I hate this has happened to you. I’m a faithful viewer of your YouYube channel. Best of luck.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you so much. We will get through this just fine, it is knowing which direction to go that is the challenge.

[@lisab.6818]

Oh Pam, I am so sorry to hear about the Google and budget issues. I too am trying to decide to take SS as I am 62. My hubs likes to eat out too but that has been challenged to recreate recipes himself. We live in a rural area so we are not close to anything. I hope you continue your channel as I am a creative person who is always getting distracted 😅. If nothing else I hope I can email you. I did buy a pink gaura on clearance as you did. Love it ❤ Still haven't started my propagation pump yet!!!! Rosie Hardy in GB overwinters her impatients and I am going to try also. Hang in there 🙏 💓

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I have watched Rosy a bit here and there. I should check out how she is going to try and overwinter them and see if I can too. I don't heat my little greenhouse and I only have so much room in the little cottage and my home for plants I need and want to bring in. I am not planning on giving up on YT, it is too much fun for me. My husband and I love to cook together so we are diving into that and finding fun new recipes that are budget friendly yet delicious to try.

[@lauriehall7841]

I agree with you 100 percent. Thank you for your making your videos

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

You are so welcome, thank you for tagging along!

[@dustyflats3832]

A calmer message 😂 You have such a longer growing season than Z5. We have been getting too many hard freezes to plant. We are trying to prepare to age in place and just got a battery operated cultivator. We haven’t tried it yet, but think it will be perfect for mixing in compost and prepping long semi raised beds. It’s small and no maintenance or loud noise. We have the big rototiller for the other garden that has all the large crops. I could do no till, but find veg do better with tilled here. 😅who knows, eventually it could be no till and just let the flowers take over. We got a bit over half inch of RAIN last night🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉. Can take a breather from fire watch.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

It sounds like you've got a great plan for your garden! I am busy prepping for the freeze we will in by Monday. So much to do and I am trying to soak up the warmth (low 70's) while we have it. Though moving out of the snow was on our wishlist it just isn't in the cards right now so we are plotting and planning on how to age in place as well. We have some house repairs we need to get done. So glad you got some rain, it sounds like you really needed it.

[@susiehiggins4525]

I'm so happy that I watched this particular video. Personally I do not like what Google has done with the Ai generated info. I now have to scroll down and try to find an actual post regarding my search. It is my hope for you that you CAN recover from this devastating loss and continue to prosper while helping others.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I have switched to DuckDuckGo for searching anything and it is much more helpful, you might want to try that, much less frustrating. Thank you for your kind words, this will just make me pivot to something fresh and deciding on what is the hard part.

[@user-rosesroses]

It will work out. U seem very resourceful.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yep, we are very resourceful and we are always thankful for the beautiful place we live surrounded by nature and though we get a lot of snow in winter we don't have harsh condtions. We love where we live and count our blessing each day.

[@lesliekendall5668]

I was surprised when you said a blog generated more income than the videos. A lot of people make big money from videos. One thing I know they do is #1 have multiple channels. David the Good has at least 3 and they're ALL about gardening. The only ideas I can think of on the spur of the moment is 1) multiple channels, 2) focus on a younger/ always on the web audience, and 3) something "inside" as winter's coming on. Maybe you could research what kinds of channels generate the highest incomes. The only things off the top of my head are cooking (since you'll be doing more at-home cooking) and reading stories to a young audience (you have a very soothing voice). One video per week per channel could be 5 channels plus two days to breathe. Or find a niche, something unique. There are people who do Victorian sewing or have a 1950's (or other era) lifestyle theme. Sometimes we just like to watch a person/ a KZbin acquired friend that we enjoy just in their everyday routine.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you, all are very good ideas!

[@lesliekendall5668]

@@FlowerPatchFarmhouse And once they're established, give the links. Your die hards like me will sub and get them started.

[@kclancy8128]

Hi Pam, Your style is authentic and artistic. I appreciate that. I watch your KZbin channel. I have noticed your eye catching art in your studio videos. I did not know about the blogs and other digital medium. I have noticed the AI Overviews appear at the top of Google search results. AI is not a compltely reliable source of information, but it is here to stay. I would suspect the Google algorithm and data analytics are responsible for the 'updates', not a person/s at Google. It appears their algorithm is not fully tuned. This video makes a good case where Google needs to tune the AI Overview algorithm. Do you think you could contact the appropriate person/team at Google to discuss? As you stated, it is happening to other content creators, so they must be getting a lot of complaints/feedback. I like your honesty and your art. Good luck. 🌸

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

There is a big Google convention of some sort and their is a consortium of bloggers going to lodge the protest of the sweeping changes at Google and their new path. But it is what it is and I don't feel it worth my time to take that on, so I will pivot and I enjoy so many things that I will find something worthwhile rather than spitting into the wind. Nothing in life stays the same, we just need to know when to shift our focus and adapt with a smile on our face. Thank you for chiming in! I know many that enjoy KZbin are clueless about blogs and other such websites, that is why so many of us have branched out into this realm too. Spread the love.

[@mhubertcfi]

Im so sorry to hear it. I wonder if you can do anything on Pinterest? It’s always my go to search engine because I’m a visual person. What a scam those AI synopsis area!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I agree, Pinterest can help to fill in some and I do need to lean into it more. Finding the balance is key.

[@MindysPlace]

I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. I retired after 30 years working for my city. A year into retirement I was informed that my dental insurance had been cut, my husband was no longer on my medical insurance and once I signed up for Social Security I would also loose my medical insurance. I feel betrayed and I am sure you do as well. It just seems so unfair, but I guess we are not the only ones feeling the stab. I wish you the best in whatever choice you make.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Sorry to hear that, you work and work thinking you will at least get something in retirement then it gets chipped away at. Betrayed is a good word for it. Yes, we are certainly not alone. But we can endure, I think of my parents and their parents during the depression. My grandparents related to us many times what they did to just survive and I am no where near that destitute. They did not speak of it as a big deal just that it happened, it was just life. If they can get through that, I can skate through this. Thank you for your kind words.

[@ruralangwin]

Oh don't worry Medicare lets you enroll in an affordable medical insurance. Enjoy PERS pension.

[@ruralangwin]

ASMR watering plants.

[@MindysPlace]

@@ruralangwin Yes... My husband is on it, but my insurance was no cost to me as an employee/retiree of the city. I worked for 30 years with the understanding that my insurance would carry over into retirement and would include my husband.

[@lorilevine6812]

Ohh you paint! Can I see I’m an artist too😊

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Sure, my painting website is PamelaGroppe.com, that is where I teach simple lessons for very beginners. On my pamelagroppe instagram I also share some of the lessons I am taking to expand my skils.

[@ruralangwin]

I watch on KZbin. I'm too old to tackle Instagram. Please keep posting on KZbin.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I tend to find Instagram annoying, that is why I am not good and being consistent on it. I will definitely keep posting on KZbin.

[@LindaHuetson]

So sorry this happened to you. Wondered why you quit showing up! Resubscribed.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Technology is a funny thing and welcome on back. 😁

[@DLynne222]

Regarding added income, I am hearing of reputable people, college students, who are selling their blood plasma on a regular basis to supplement their income. If you are healthy enough to donate, it is a win-win because there is always, always, a genuine need for blood products, and why not get some regular income too?! Many people also benefit health wise from the stimulating effect on their blood production by donating a bit of it. Just a thought. I do very much enjoy your channel just as it is, though I don't get over to the blog very often. I hope you don't have to change your channel much, but the only thing in life that is certain is change. Thank you for all you share with us!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, there are so many creative ways to make added income, my dilemma is choosing which one! My brain gets overactive and shoots in a bazillion directions. Thank you for your ideas.

[@LisaMonique]

I can't stand searching for something and getting those HORRIBLE AI articles...they are so useless and you keep scrolling hoping they will answer your question but they start repeating same AI synopsis.

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

@@LisaMonique I agree ever since AI Google has been pretty much useless.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, what they cough up is quite useless so I use different browsers like DuckDuckGo or Brave. At least the answers are from real people and yet I can't stand Reddit.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, completely useless.

[@sp9600]

I cant stand this new AI synopsis format. I neither need nor want to get a summary of what the comments are about. We are losing our ability to choose our content. Sorry about your unexpected income reduction. Best of luck in your future plans❣️

[@annsfrench]

As soon as I noticed that the first result when searching on Google was an AI result, I skip to the second result. I even tried to find a way to remove AI results from my search results but I don’t see that as a possibility. AI is not the solution!

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

AI is infiltrating everything and it can be quite unsettling.

[@gracefulgrowing144]

Wow, I didn't even realize the world of google and how it does that. I do understand about the AI computers generated, and I feel terrible. I owe you an apology because I have gone to Google and typed something in to search and read the first generated thing on it. And then moved on without checking the blogs about it.And I will never do that again. I had no idea that by doing that. It affects people's incomes that writes blogs and I didn't even know that you got paid through Google on your blogs. I had no idea.I guess I need to educate myself more. But there is a way where you can still do your blog. Make it your own and hopefully generate people to come to it. Remember the show, sex in the city, how she would start out typing a blog. You can start out typing your blog, and instead of typing your blog up and putting it on Google, you can do it as reading it or typing it, or I don't know that may not even work. I just thought I'd throw it out there. My love and prayers to you. As i'm certain, god has a great plan for you.Seek him first and be on the road that he wants you to be on♥️♥️

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, that is what I have been up to behind the scene, praying and asking for wisdom in what is the best way to keep Him and his work first. I have many options, it is just choosing which is the best way forward and realizing where He is guiding rather than rely on my wants and desires.

[@ruralangwin]

Don't worry we can easily tell an AI generated post. We just go past to find reality.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Glad to hear it!

[@jaynelloyd007]

Hi Pam, I love your videos. I'm retired now but used to work in marketing. I follow you on Instagram, and I do feel you are not using it to its full potential . I would love to see more affiliate links on both your YT and Insta for all the things you use . Also, everyone on here needs to follow your Instagram . Please promote yourself more you deserve to be successful ❤

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Yes, I agree, I need to be better at Instagram, thank you for the suggestion. So many options and determining which is the best use of time is a challenge.

[@puzzlecanes]

Set up an Amazon marketplace with all the things you use and a ltk(like to know it i think it is called). Link in your descriptions and Instagram.I don't understand what they are thinking with AI. Soon no one will want to make content because AI is out competing everyone. Then how will they train their models.

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

Thank you. I do have an Amazon affiliate account and do link to things I mention in my description box and it does bring in a bit, and every little bit counts. For Like to Know it you have to really try to sell, I have never gone the route of wanting to be an influencer who pushes products, which in their program you have to do at least 2 posts a week intending to sell to your followers. My intent has been to show folks how to garden the old fashioned way without buying products they really don't need and helping them save money in the long run so it really is a cunundrum.

[@gloriabranch6287]

You will figure it out. I'm glad you mentioned your Instagram account

[@FlowerPatchFarmhouse]

I am not on Instagram as much as I should. I will definitely be upping my game a bit there too.