Starting a gardening business can be a very exciting endeavor, but one that requires you to carefully plan your product expenses, and manage the needs of your employees and clients. Many people consider the entrepreneurial route, but it is a risky road to take, especially if you don't set yourself up for success. You don't have to sell a unique product, but you should offer a one-of-a-kind service.

Anyone can start a gardening service with the right attitude and financial backing. Competition will be fierce. You can't expect to put your feet up because it's your own business. On the contrary, you should expect to work very hard in the beginning. Before quitting your full time job in the hopes that you become your own boss and open a gardening center business, ask yourself the following:

1. Are you committed? It takes more than just a good idea to develop a gardening biz. It takes time, money and hard work.

2. If applicable, do you have the right partners? Friends are not always good business partners. Vet potential partners as objectively as possible.

3. Have you done your research to make sure there's demand for your product or service? You may have a great idea, but how many others have the same idea?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop a gardening opportunity with credibility and get licensed

When you start a gardening small business, you are legally required to obtain some type of government license. Horticulture is regulated and licensed in most states by local horticultural commissions. Check with your state's Department of Agriculture. Other official documents include seller's permits, federal and state employer tax ID numbers, and trade name certificates. There are many online resources and state departments that can assist you with filing these documents.

I recommend: Business Licenses is a fee-based resource that offers license and permit access for those in the agricultural and horticultural field. FindLaw provides a checklist of all licenses and permits necessary for opening your own business.

Join an association and build industry credibility when you open a gardening center

As a new business owner, you don't have to go it completely alone. Consider joining an industry association for support. Organizations bring together professionals with the same goals and challenges. As a member you have access to educational opportunities. Professional organizations also organize events, so you can meet your industry peers, vendors and suppliers.

I recommend: The National Gardening Association and the American Horticultural Society both provide an online calendar with upcoming events for educational and networking opportunities. They also offer access to publications and other tools to give you a leg up.

Partner with reliable vendors when you open a gardening small business

As a business owner, it's imperative that you partner with vendors that can help you build success. Your vendors must be dependable, accommodating, offer a wide variety of products, and be reasonably priced. You want to build a long-term relationship with your suppliers, so they must share your interest in pleasing your clients.

I recommend: B&T Grower Supply sells nursery supplies to gardening businesses, including chemicals, irrigation and watering equipment, and greenhouse equipment. Nature Hills provides a wide variety of trees, brushes, perennials and more. It also offers wholesale inventory to gardening businesses.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Marketing your business is a very significant part of developing your gardening service. Consider advertising in trade magazines and newspapers to begin with, and think about publishing a website.

If you've been thinking about turning your gardening hobby into a gardening business, this guide can help you get started. By learning about the many local, regional and national resources available to commercial gardeners, you can increase both knowledge and profit, and build a strong client base in your local community.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get the gardening knowledge you need

Gardening classes and certification programs can get you started in the right direction. Most state universities offer a two-part Master Gardener Certification program through their Extension Service office and many of these will be located in an area near you. Take advantage of these inexpensive educational opportunities to become familiar with pest management, weed control, plant identification, composting and more!Local botanical gardens and arboretums offer specialized classes that can help you increase your gardening savvy.

I recommend: The American Horticultural Society lists Master Gardener Programs across the United States and Canada. Just click on your state to find a program near you. To find out about the courses offered at your local botanical garden, see this helpful list from The English Cottage Garden website: Botanical Gardens Around the USA

Join a garden club, association or horticultural society

There are hundreds of gardening clubs, horticultural societies and native plant organizations that can provide you with additional educational resources and help you make connections with other gardeners (and potential clients!) in your area.

I recommend: Again, the American Horticultural Society can point you in the right direction. Check out their Gardening Connections page for links to garden clubs across the country. The Wildflower Center can link you in to the Native Plant Information Network, and incredible resource for plant-related organizations. Add "National Garden Association Member" to your business card by joining the highly respected National Garden Association.

Know your suppliers!

You'll need to know where to go to get plants and other gardening tools and equipment. A bonus: local garden stores, plant catalogs and mailorder nurseries can provide you with a wealth of additonal information.

I recommend: Spend time getting to know both the staff and the stock at your local and regional garden centers or nurseries. The Lawn and Garden Yellow Pages can tell you where to go. There's an extensive list of mailorder sources at the Garden Bazaar. Additional sites for buying seeds, bulbs and plants: White Flower Farm, Shady Hills Native Plant Nursery, Sunshine Farm and Gardens, Bloom River. Need the dirt on where to buy mulch, manure, natural fertilizers and other soil amendments? Visit Planet Natural.

Get out there and garden!

The best way to learn is by doing, right? Use your own garden as both an experiment and an example. Practice growing different species and using different types of soil amendments. Take pictures of what works, and record what doesn't. Use photos of your beautiful designs in a portfolio to present to potential clients.

I recommend: For photographic inspiration, visit the Garden Web photo galleries. Gardening magazines like Fine Gardening, Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens can provide new design and planting ideas. If you don't have one going already, start a compost pile. How to Compost.org can tell you how. Enter your garden in a local home garden show or walk. See the list of Flower and Home Garden Shows around the USA. Don't forget to ask your local nursery about their new plants in stock!

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many local garden centers and nurseries offer commercial gardeners discounts on products. Sign your business up for these and be sure you're accessing potential customers via any gardening classes and workshops your local shop may hold. Take advantage of these excellent, reciprocal resources.
• •  Get educated! Take the time to learn as much as you can about gardening in your geographical location and become familiar with the native and other plant species that thrive in your region's Plant Hardiness Zone.
• •  Get your name out in the community! Advertise your business in the local papers, and by posting flyers and business cards at local garden shops.
• •  Additional advertisement opportunities can be found by listing your business online. Try an ad on the Lawn and Garden Yellow Pages.