market gardening business plan

Starting A Market Garden: The Complete Beginners Guide

Whether you want to become a full-time farmer or just earn a little money on the side, a market garden is a fantastic way to start profiting from your passion.

In this article, I’ll break down the basic steps you need to start your own market garden, regardless of what your starting point is. I’ll teach you how to decide what to grow, where to grow it, how much of it you should grow, and how to market and sell it. All it takes is a bit of creativity and a good amount of manual labor.

Turning your green thumb into cold hard cash isn’t as hard or intimidating of a process as you might think. It also doesn’t require expensive equipment, acres of land, or a formal education. And the money is just part of the satisfaction that comes from starting a market garden. You’ll also be doing what you love.

What Is Market Gardening?

A market garden is a relatively small operation, usually under one acre, used for the small-scale production of vegetables, flowers, and fruits as cash crops.

Typically, a market garden will grow a diverse variety of crops as opposed to a monoculture. A market gardener often sells their crops directly to customers, restaurants, and shops.

Market gardens rely more on manual labor and gardening techniques than the big pieces of equipment used for large-scale agriculture.

Even though market gardens operate at a small scale, they’re able to earn a good amount of money.

Farmers who sell to the wholesale market usually only get about 10 to 20% of the retail price for their crops. But since market gardeners can sell direct to consumers, they can earn 100% without a wholesaler or distributor taking a cut.

Conventional farms can return as little as a few hundred dollars per acre, but market gardens are highly efficient and can return tens of thousands of dollars in the same amount of space.

Although, because of its highly manual nature and the maximum number of local customers it can reach, there is a practical limit to how large a market garden can be.

How To Start A Market Garden (Step By Step)

Starting your first market garden can seem quite intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult, as long as you break it down into smaller steps.

1. Do Your Research

Before you ever start buying any seeds or starting to lay out your garden, you need to do a lot of market research first.

You can grow the best red cabbages in your area. But if nobody is looking to buy red cabbages, then there’s no point in growing them.

It might be worth working on another farm before you decide if you really want to start one of your own. That way you’ll get to experience a lot of the day-to-day tasks that you’ll need to do once you start.

You might end up loving it, but a lot of people also have romanticized ideas about what working on a farm is like. Sometimes they end up not actually having that much fun once they try it.

It’s better to find out early on if farming isn’t for you, rather than investing in a market garden of your own first.

Working for someone else will also give you an idea of what works and what doesn’t, what equipment you like and don’t like, and other details that you can’t pick up without direct experience.

Check out farmer’s markets to see what products are already being sold. If one or two vendors already has the same product you want to sell, it’s not necessarily cause for panic.

Especially if you think you can produce a better product, or make it cheaper. But if the market seems oversaturated with a particular produce, you might not want to pick something with so much competition.

If you do pick something other people are selling, find a way to differentiate yourself. If someone is already selling regular carrots, you can sell purple carrots.

If they’re selling sunflower microgreens, there’s still room to sell radish microgreens or pea shoots instead.

2. Find Some Land

You’ll need a permanent (or at least long-term) plot of land to set your market garden up on.

Ideally you want somewhere for more than just one season, since you’ll need to put a lot of initial work into getting it ready for growing.

This can be an empty lot, someone’s backyard they’re willing to lease to you, or any other land you can find.

This is the first major hurdle you’ll face in starting your market garden, and the first big decision that you make. So take some time and don’t necessarily feel like you need to jump on the first piece of land that you come across.

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re evaluating a potential piece of land. Like how much it will cost you, what the land is currently designed for, whether you have access to water, and other things.

But one thing that I think is especially important is proximity to where you live.

During the summer you’ll need to travel to your market garden on a daily basis, so try to find a location that’s 10 or 15 minutes away, or even less if possible.

A piece of land 30 minutes or more away is probably a dealbreaker, as it’s a big barrier to actually getting there and consistently putting in the work needed to make the project a success.

If you’re planning to just grow mushrooms or microgreens, you won’t necessarily be looking for an open plot of land, but you’ll still need to locate and acquire a place to grow your crops, even if it’s indoors.

That might be your basement, leasing an unused section of a factory, or getting a shipping container.

• Learn How To Start a Homestead , how to find the perfect land for growing plants, and which skills you need to grow your farm.

3. Plan Your Crops and Production

You need to know what you’re going to grow before you can start work on your land, since the crops you’re planning to grow will determine row spacing and other factors.

Based on your initial research into market gardening, you should already have a good idea of what produce is likely to be popular and sell well in your area.

A big part of this step is also planning out your production schedule and when various produce will be ready for sale.

In a home garden, people usually just plant vegetables they like, and eat them whenever they become ripe.

But as a market gardener, you have restaurants, shops, and other customers who are counting on you to be their supplier. They need you to deliver a successful product, week after week.

You’ll need to use succession planting to ensure new crops are ripening constantly every week.

Usually it’s good to estimate how much you think you’ll sell at any given date, then work backward to figure out when and how much you need to plant to hit that goal.

Having a bit of variation and occasionally running out of things is going to be normal in your first year.

But avoid it as much as possible, since if it’s happening consistently you’ll miss out on sales and potentially lose repeat customers.

4. Prepare Your Soil

Once you’re sure what you want to plant, you can start preparing your soil. Ideally if you’re planning in advance, you can start to prepare your soil the year prior.

Things like covering the ground with a tarp in the fall and spring to kill off weeds will make your life a lot easier later on. If you’re using no-dig permaculture methods like sheet mulching, it’s best to do that in the fall.

That way things will have time to decay over the winter before you start to plant in the spring.

• Read more of How To Start A Permaculture Garden or Complete Guide To Online Permaculture Design Courses to know more about growing food at own.

A lot of market gardeners will rent a rototiller in their first year to help really loosen the soil, break up any existing roots, and mix in amendments to improve soil quality.

It’ll cost you $50 to $100 to rent a tiller for the day, but trust me, it will make your life a lot easier. Of course if you want a strictly no-dig market garden, you can skip this step.

Just be sure to have any underground power cables, telephone lines, or other hazards marked out before you dig. In most places, you just need to call and utility companies will come out and do this free of charge.

5. Plant Your Crops

Your land is all ready, now it’s time to plant your crops. You can either plant seeds or start with seedlings. But if you’re planning to use seedlings, I recommend setting up a small nursery to grow them yourself ahead of time.

If you buy seedlings from a nursery or garden center, things can get cost-prohibitive pretty quickly.

Keep your plans in mind and figure out how you will lay out your successional sowing, as well as when and where you’ll do crop rotations throughout the season or between seasons.

If you’re willing to invest in some equipment, using a mechanical seeder or paper pot transplanter can drastically reduce the amount of time it takes you to plant.

These pieces of equipment quickly and accurately plant in evenly-spaced rows, and can turn what’s normally hours of work into just minutes. You can find such equipment on https://paperpot.co/ .

6. Maintaining Your Crops

Once your plants are in the ground, you need to keep them alive and thriving until they’re mature.

Water them and weed regularly. If plants are getting burned in the middle of summer, you might need to bring in some shade cloth.

Check thoroughly for bugs or disease every few days. If you catch it early, it will be a lot easier to deal with, before it affects your whole garden.

7. Harvesting

If your crops made it to maturity and fully developed, then most of the hard part is done. But harvesting is still a very time and labor-intensive process that needs to be completed before you can take your goods to market.

I recommend finding the most efficient way to harvest, and take advantage of any special tools that you have at your disposal.

Even if it costs a couple hundred dollars to buy a specialized harvest tool, it could save you a huge number of hours in the long run, as well as potentially saving a ton of strain on your knees and back.

8. Cleaning and Storage

The next step after harvesting the bounty of your market garden is to wash and pack it for storage.

You’ll want a large sink and hose to clean produce off with, or potentially even make yourself a bubbler depending on what your production size is like.

You might also want to make a salad spinner out of an old washing machine to streamline the process as well. Jean-Martin Fortier has guides on how to make all of the wash shed equipment you’ll need here.

After your produce is clean, you’ll want a way to keep it refrigerated until it’s time to deliver it to customers. This will greatly extend the life of your produce and is a must-have, especially in the summer months.

There are plenty of great guides on Youtube for how to cheaply make a DIY walk-in cooler.

9. Selling / Delivering Produce

Ideally you’ve been making some connections with chefs, small shops, and other potential customers during slow periods in your market garden. That way you’ll have customers ready to buy your produce as soon as it’s ready.

You should also plan in advance to book a spot at your local farmer’s market as well.

When you’re just starting out, you can load up whatever vehicle you currently own with produce and take it out for deliveries.

But once you’ve earned a bit of money and your business is starting to scale up, you’ll want to invest in a cube van. Preferably something climate controlled for those delivery runs that take several hours to complete.

10. Learn From Experience

If you’ve managed to pull off a successful season, congrats! You likely faced lots of challenges along the way. So take some time when you’re planning and preparing to learn from the lessons of the past.

• What worked really well for you?
• What could you have done better?
• What held you back or took up a disproportionate amount of your time and effort?

What Kind of Crops Are Grown In A Market Garden?

It’s best for market gardeners to try and find in-demand products that fetch a high price and are currently under-served in the local market.

Although pretty much any crop can be grown. It’s best to avoid crops like corn and wheat though, which large farms are already supplying lots of at low prices.

Of course it will depend on your local area. The name “market garden” gives a good clue that you should be listening to what your market is asking for, and then supply that.

But here are some of my top picks for crops that I think market gardeners should grow.

1) Salad Mixes

Pretty much any leafy greens like arugula (rocket), kale, spinach, swiss chard, and others are great crops to grow in a market garden.

You can sell them individually, or make various different types of salad mixes that you can market for farmer’s markets and other places where you can sell direct to consumers.

If you’re also growing microgreens, you can mix them in to your salad mixes as well.

Since leafy vegetables are so nutritious but also have a short life, there’s a big market for fresh greens. They will only become more popular as the number of health-conscious shoppers increases.

There are plenty of profitable crops that you could grow on your small farm . Learn which are the most profitable here .

2) Mushrooms

Edible and gourmet mushrooms are an awesome crop for market gardeners and urban farmers . They can be grown indoors year-round, so you don’t need to worry about weather cycles or changes in how you grow.

Mushrooms produce a very high amount of revenue per square foot.

The two most popular mushrooms for market gardeners to grow are oyster and shiitake. Oyster mushrooms specifically are very profitable.

You can grow about 25 pounds of mushrooms in a square foot each year. If you’re selling them for $8 per pound and grow a 10×10 area worth, that’s $20,000 per year.

If you’re thinking of growing mushrooms, I would avoid growing button, cremini, or portobello mushrooms.

There is already a lot of competition from industrial growers who sell these in practically every grocery store, so stick to other popular varieties.

• Learn what types of mushrooms to grow, and how to grow them in this Ultimate Guide: How To Grow Mushrooms .

3) Microgreens

Microgreens are the seedlings of a variety of vegetables like peas, sunflowers, and radishes that are harvested at around 7 to 14 days.

These little sprouts are packed full of nutrition and flavor, and make a great addition to a salad or smoothie.

Microgreens are like mushrooms, in that you can grow them completely indoors year-round in quite a small space.

To start growing microgreens you’ll need some trays, soil, fluorescent lights, and shelving or racks to hold them all.

Or if you’ve got a greenhouse, you can experiment with trying to grow a few flats of microgreens at a time in there.

• Read more about microgreens business and how to grow microgreens for profit .

Fresh culinary herbs have seen a big increase in demand, both from restaurants as well as home cooks. Herbs of all types also come with big price tags, often just a small bunch of them can be sold for several dollars.

You can try growing any number of popular herbs like basil, cilantro, rosemary, chives, oregano, mint, parsley, thyme, and sage. Many of these are hardy plants that grow and spread quickly.

You can use herbs to create your own line of value-added products like bath oils, teas, soaps, and candles. Dried herbs also sell surprisingly well at farmers markets.

For a unique product to sell, try making small “instant” herb gardens that people can take home and grow on their kitchen windowsill. Combine a couple popular herbs so people can cut them as-needed for their cooking.

5) Lavender

Lavender is another crop that can produce high amounts of profits from a small area. It’s also very versatile, and there are a lot of different avenues for selling it.

You can sell fresh or dried flowers to florists and crafters. You can even make your own lavender oil.

Or you can sell it to local companies to turn it into a variety of value-added products like soap, skincare, and aromatherapy products.

• You can also grow fruit trees and make money on them, learn more about How To Create A Permaculture Orchard here.

Where Do Market Gardens Sell Their Goods?

A well-run market garden will have a wide range of fresh produce available in a steady supply all throughout the growing season.

The more diverse of a set of clientele you can establish for yourself, the lower the risk will be to your business.

If you’re selling through multiple different channels, then it’s not a big deal if one restaurant suddenly decides that it doesn’t want to order from you any more.

Whereas if you set yourself up so that all of your produce is being sold to one grocery store and they change their mind, you’ll be in a very difficult position to recover from.

Here are some of the different ways that you can try to sell your products. I recommend trying out as many as possible early on, and see what works.

If you have lots of success with one or two of them, you can double your efforts in those areas and avoid ones that seem to be taking up too much time or aren’t driving enough business.

Farm Stands

One of the easiest ways to sell your produce is simply to set up a stand outside of your farm.

If you live in a decent area, you can use the trust system and simply leave your produce out along with a sign saying something like “1 basket of tomatoes, $5” and a lockbox where people can drop off their money.

Most people are honest and will abide by this system. The best part is that it doesn’t require you to stand there all day like at the farmer’s market to make sales, it’s a passive system.

And since it’s located right outside of your farm, you save time having to transport the produce across town.

Depending on what you’re growing and the time of year, you may want to store your goods in the shade or even set up a refrigerator with a glass front to keep your produce cool and prevent spoilage.

Farmer’s Markets

Farmer’s markets are a great place to sell your products. For a small fee, usually $20 per week or around $500 for a six month season, you get access to hundreds of your ideal customers every time that you set up.

People who shop at farmer’s markets value fresh, sustainably-farmed, local food and are willing to pay a premium for it. The downside of farmer’s markets is that they are a very active process.

You’ll need to stand there yourself all afternoon to make sales, hire someone, or get a family member or friend to help you out.

There’s also a lot of time involved with preparing all the things you need to take to the market, setting up when you get there, and then taking everything down again at the end.

Still, the amount you earn will most likely make the time worthwhile, and most market gardeners get their start selling at the farmer’s market.

Restaurants

Chefs put a high value on fresh, flavorful items that look great on the plate. They’re willing to try more trendy new produce that people at the farmer’s market might be unsure about, but they’ll also buy lots of the staples as well.

Restaurants will pay a little lower prices than individual customers would, but they also buy in much larger quantities.

The best part of selling to restaurants is that they’re repeat customers. Once you get your foot in the door, if they enjoy your product they’ll most likely keep buying from you week after week.

Reach out to higher-end restaurants in your area and ask if you can meet with the chef to talk about supplying them with fresh ingredients. Bring along samples when you visit restaurants is a must.

Tasting your crops for themselves will sell your product better than anything you could say.

Don’t be afraid to bring a whole box of products for them to try and test out in dishes. If they end up buying from you, you’ll more than recover the expense.

Along with the produce, include a fresh sheet they can keep which includes your contact information, as well as what you’re offering and what your prices are. List what days of the week you will do deliveries as well.

Independent / Local Food Stores

The chances of you getting a deal with a large national grocery chain are slim, they often have teams of buyers and find suppliers on their own terms.

You also probably don’t have the production capacity necessary to supply them with enough product if you’re just getting started.

But local or independently-run grocery stores and produce outlets will definitely talk to you and be willing to sell your produce.

Go in and speak with the store manager and/or produce manager, and take the same approach as with restaurants.

Give them samples of your produce to try, and give them a sheet to let them know what your prices are and what days you can deliver.

Just like restaurants, getting in at shops can provide a huge amount of repeat business for you. As long as customers like your products and they’re buying it, the store will keep ordering more.

Small stores won’t squeeze you down to the same prices as wholesalers will, but expect to earn significantly less per pound than you would selling at a farmer’s market.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), Veg Share Schemes, and Subscriptions

While you’re selling at the farmer’s market and other locations where you interact with individual customers, you should be trying to collect email addresses and getting people to sign up for an email list.

That way you can let people know when you’ll be at the market, what produce will be available that week, and also give customers a chance to contact you and let you know what kinds of products they want to buy in the future.

Once you establish a bit of a following and some credibility in your community, you can use your followers to start a CSA or veg box subscription program.

For a set fee, people can get a box of an assortment of fresh vegetables delivered fresh to their home each week.

Offering boxes gives you a lot of flexibility and a way to offload products that perhaps you planned to sell to restaurants or shops, but grew way too much of.

As well as including some staple favorites like lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots each week.

The big downside to this approach is that you’ll have to spend a lot of time delivering your products to individual customer’s homes each week.

If you’ve got a few dozen subscriptions, it might take you a whole afternoon to make all of your deliveries every week.

But on the bright side, you’ll have a steady amount of orders that you can plan around, and you can set customers up on direct debit so their payments will automatically come out each week unless they cancel.

Wholesalers, Food Cooperatives, and Other High-Volume Channels

Like I mentioned earlier, you probably don’t want to sell to wholesalers as a main part of your sales strategy, because they will only pay you 10 or 20 cents on every dollar that you could get from other sales channels.

But it’s still good to establish connections, because in a pinch they’ll usually be willing to buy any surplus you do find yourself holding on to.

It’s better to at least get some money back if you have no other way to sell your products, rather than let it go to waste.

Examples of Well Known Market Gardeners

1. jean-martin fortier.

JM Fortier is a market gardener from Quebec, Canada. He has founded two market gardens, Les Jardins de la Grelinette and La Ferme des Quatre Temps . He is considered a real pioneer in the market gardening space.

He’s also an author and advocate for economically-viable sustainable agriculture.

I highly recommend checking out the two links above to get inspired as to what a market garden can be.

2. Richard Perkins

Richard Perkins is an innovative farmer who has been growing food since he was a teenager. He’s designed farm projects in every major climate zone in the world, on multiple continents.

You can check out his work on http://www.ridgedalepermaculture.com/ .

3. Charles Dowding

Charles is the leading authority on no dig gardening. He has been sharing and exploring new ways to garden since the early 80s.

He has written nine books on organic and no dig gardening methods, runs a YouTube channel, and teaches courses around the world. 

Learn more at https://charlesdowding.co.uk/

A market garden is a physically demanding, but also very rewarding business to run.

After reading this article, you should now know how to start a market garden of your own, step by step. Including researching, finding land, planning your crops, planting, harvesting, etc.

We also discussed some popular crops for market gardens that are profitable and don’t require a huge amount of space. Consider crops like gourmet mushrooms, microgreens, herbs, and salad mixes.

For more on beginner gardening, check out our article on how to start a milk crate garden .

Permaculture Apprentice

Permaculture for Regenerative and Self-Reliant Living

How to Make a Living From a 1.5 Acre Market Garden

by papprentice 86 Comments

Picture the scene of your market gardening operation. ..

You‘re awoken by the morning sun, grab yourself a hot drink, and step outside. As you take your first sip, you watch the sun rising and enjoy the serene sound of birdsong.

Everything’s tranquil as you stroll around your market garden, making a list of today’s tasks. There is a lot to do, but you enjoy the tasks and can’t wait to begin.

Can you imagine this life for yourself? Do you think it’s possible for you to enjoy this kind of lifestyle and actually make a decent living from it?

I’ll let you in on a secret. The biggest challenge in life is YOU and your beliefs.

When it comes to commercial vegetable growing, the idea of a profitable micro-farm is frequently met with skepticism. Some cynics will try to discourage you from starting a market garden, declaring that production simply won’t be enough to make your family’s ends meet.

Time and time again, we have to remind ourselves that it is possible because, as Allan Nation, pioneer of the grass-fed movement, states: “If somebody has done it, it can be done.”

So, today I want to introduce you to Jean-Martin Fortier (JM) and his wife Maude-Helene, Market Gardeners. JM and his wife make $140000 from 1.5 acres , and live a life that other people only dream of. They challenge the belief that a small family-run farm cannot stay afloat in today’s economy.

Let’s learn more about their operation.

Want to make $100,000 farming 1 acre or less?

Les Jardins de La Grelinette: Market Gardening Operation in Quebec, Canada – 1.5 acres of raised beds – 10 years of establishment

Founded by Jean-Martin Fortier and his wife, Les Jardins de LaGrelinette, is an internationally recognized 10-acre micro-farm.

Only 1.5 acres are cultivated in permanent beds using bio-intensive growing methods. In the last decade, the focus at LaGrelinette has been to grow better, not bigger.

To optimize the cropping system, they use low-tech solutions and place heavy emphasis on intelligent farm design, appropriate technologies, and harnessing the power of soil biology as their key components to successful farming. You can find more about their methods in Jean-Martin Fortier’s book, The Market Gardener .

The market farm grosses more than $100 000 per acre, with operating margins of about 50%, enough to financially sustain the family. Every week, the market garden produces enough vegetables to feed over 200 families.

The low-tech strategy kept start-up costs to a minimum and overhead expenses low. The farm became profitable after only a few years, and he claims they have never felt the pinch of financial pressure.

So, let’s do the math.

Farm Income

For the last decade, the Fortiers have had no other income than from their 1.5-acre micro-farm.

When I asked JMF about this income, he replied: “Our economics are not complicated. We sell around 150k of veggie produce on-site . Our cost of production (including two salaries for employees that are around 6 months) makes up about 50 % of that amount. The other half is the net profit that my wife and I share. Our salaries, if you want.”

Here is a brief summary of the numbers from their 1.5-acre operation for 2013:

• Revenue: $140,000
• Customer sales breakdown:

CSA operations (140 members): 60% Farmer’s markets (2): 30% Restaurants/grocery stores: 10%

• Staff: 2 paid employees plus the Fortiers
• 2013 Expenses: $75,000
• 2013 Profit: $65,000 (~45% profit margin)

Ok, so this proves that it is possible to have a career in market gardening. In fact, one can envisage making a pretty decent livelihood.

Their initial start-up costs were in the $40,000 range. They did, however, receive financial aid in the form of a government grant of $30,000 because of their sound business plan. With this additional support, the chances of market gardening success improve greatly.

But grants or not, one fact remains: keeping costs low when starting a business reduces financial risk and ensures profitability over the short term .

This, in itself, is a winning business model. So, let’s elaborate…

The Market Gardening Model

The features that characterize their market gardening operation are: high productivity on a small plot of land, intensive production methods, season extension techniques, and selling directly to public markets .

However, that is only one part of the equation . To start an operation like this you must first reduce start-up costs, avoiding mechanization and machinery-related costs (purchase, fuel, maintenance, etc.) and, most importantly, limit dependence on outside labor.

Let’s start from the beginning.

1. Location and size

Les Jardins de la Grelinette is a 10-acre farm located in Quebec, Canada. This is a cold climate and a zone 5 plant hardiness area. The family cultivates 1½ acres (including one greenhouse and two hoop houses), and JMF considers this the optimal land base for tractorless farming.

The farm is conveniently located close to their main market, being just one hour away from Montreal, although they sell 40% of our products locally at the grocery store, restaurants, and a farmers’ market.

JMF emphasizes that finding the right site to grow vegetables is the most important initial stage for establishing a successful market garden.

Each site has unique characteristics, and there is no such thing as a ‘perfect’ site. It is very important to understand and prioritize factors like soil fertility, climate, topography , water access, and infrastructure before investing in a site.

2. Farm design

When interviewed, JMF said that Permaculture had been one of his biggest influences. This is reflected in the way he looks at the farm as a system. To explain:

When designing the farm , his aim was to organize different working spaces so that the workflow would be as efficient, practical, and ergonomic as possible. All fixed elements needed in a market garden (storage facilities, water reservoirs, greenhouses, windbreaks, etc.) are placed according to a well-thought-out plan for conserving energy and improving efficiency.

The farm also has a standardised garden layout – several smaller-sized plots called ‘field blocks’ with uniformly sized raised beds. Due to standardized size of plots and beds and, he can use materials cut to standardized interchangeable lengths, a system that offers great versatility.

3. Low start-up costs

The start-up costs (cost of equipment) total $39,000. This might sound like a lot of money to pay upfront, but if we do the math, it’s well worth the investment. Here’s what I mean:

JMF claims that a well-established, smoothly running market garden with good sales outlets can generate $60,000 to $100,000 annually per acre in diverse vegetable crops. That’s a profit margin of over 40%.

A bank loan of $39,000 spread over 5 years at 8% interest means an annual investment of around $9,500, which is reasonable when compared to the potential revenue a market garden offers.

However, this doesn’t factor in the mortgage and other business expenses such as the delivery vehicle and other variable costs (inputs, administration fees, supplies, etc.)

Even so, the initial costs are still relatively small, especially in comparison to the costs of equipment used in mechanized vegetable growing. Furthermore, some items can be purchased second-hand or over time.

4. Low operating costs

Reducing start-up costs is a good first step. Avoiding mechanization and machinery-related costs (purchase, fuel, maintenance, etc.) is another.

But the most important one of all is limiting dependence on outside labor, which generally accounts for 50% of the production costs of a diversified market farm.

In his case, Lion’s share is done by the owner-operators with the help of either one or two seasonal workers, depending on the area under cultivation and the number of greenhouses. The major operating costs are therefore reduced to inputs (amendments, seeds, plant protection products), which are generally fairly minimal.

5. Productive farming method

JMF book serves as a manual for his growing method, and please refer to the book for more detail. Here, however, is a quick summary.

Les Jardins de la Grelinette contains 180 standardized raised beds, with 40-50 vegetable crops in cultivation. These are grown using a biologically intensive approach (intensive spacing and encouragement of biologically rich soils).

To cultivate the beds, they adopt minimum tillage but use appropriate machinery, including a two-wheel tractor, broadfork, and tarps. The biology of the soil is of paramount importance, and soils are fertilized organically using good compost, poultry manure, and green manure crops.

The growing season is extended by using floating row covers and low tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, and hoop houses. This protects crops from cold and frost in both early spring and late fall and has a market advantage of offering ‘out of season’ crops.

6. Direct marketing and selling

Their sales method is a direct exchange between producers and consumers, CSA (community-supported agriculture). To summarize, the consumer buys a share in the farm’s production at the beginning of the season. In exchange, the farm commits to providing quality produce, usually harvested the previous, or even the same, day.

In their case, although they sell at two farmers’ markets, CSA has always been the preferred option since it guarantees sales and simplifies their production plan.

For new market gardeners, JMF recommends CSA because of the many advantages and its tailor-made sales outlet. When starting, adopting CSA provides backing and security because customers are paying up front. Therefore, there is guaranteed income.

CSA or not, the point of direct selling is to build a loyal customer base and forge interdependent relationships. People want to build a relationship with those who grow their food, and CSA facilitates this. However, when it comes to customer loyalty, JMF emphasizes that the quality and presentation of products are key to success.

7. Planning and management

At Les Jardins de la Grelinette, nothing is left to chance, everything is planned in minute detail. During winter months, a cropping calendar is prepared, and decisions are made as to what exactly they are going to plant and precisely when and where they are going to plant it.

Crop planning is fundamental to profitable market gardening. Once you develop your crop calendar and garden plan, running a complex production system becomes much more straightforward, and planning removes the anxiety from those hot summer months.

They also keep records throughout the growing season, making notes of what works and what doesn’t. These are important when preparing crop plans for the following season. Record keeping is also highly significant in determining customer preference , allowing them to prioritize producing the most profitable crops.

This kind of planning and management leads to improvements, and when they talk about profits using big numbers like 150k a year, one must understand that these profits are a result of fine-tuning production.

Summary and JMF’s Remarks about Market Gardening

It is clear from this model that willpower and hard work do not, by themselves, make a successful market gardener. Farm design, good managing practices, the use of appropriate technologies, and careful planning are all critical components in developing a successful market gardening system.

While this system uses permaculture principles, there is a difference between production farming and permaculture. In response to my email regarding his income JMF states: “Our goal was not to set up a system that is low maintenance, but quite the contrary. Intensive, in our scheme, means high production due to high labor input and attention. What we have done is used our intelligence to make our work truly productive on a human scale.”

Here are some crucial points to consider if you are interested in starting a market gardening operation:

• Only 1.5 acres of permanent beds can bring in revenue of $140,000. At a 45% profit margin, this equates to a $65,000 profit.
• The goal is to grow productively in a small area and limit the use of heavy machinery and dependence on outside labor.
• Cheap start-up costs, economical portable infrastructure, and appropriate low technologies keep expenses down.
• When setting up a market garden, the farm design will determine how efficiently many day-to-day chores will be carried out.
• High production is achieved using a combination of biologically intensive methods of cultivation, productive growing techniques, and a standardized garden layout and standardized tools.
• Market gardening is as much about selling as it is about growing. Having the farm close to the market is crucial.
• CSA guarantees sales and simplifies production – making it easier to plan and produce what customers want
• Everything is planned in detail during the off-season – things get too complex during the summer.

To conclude, I’ll quote JMF on the future of farming: “The challenge of our lifetime is to reinvent the profession of farming and to feed people locally, with demise of cheap oil comes an era of resilient biological agriculture. There is a bright future in farming!”

As you can see, it is totally possible to make a living from commercial vegetable growing!

Need help starting out? Here’s a free course to guide you along

I believe that market gardening is the simplest and quickest way to kickstart your farm and your farming career. Within a year or one growing season, you can start earning a meaningful side income and slowly transition from your 9-5 job into a farming career.

It’s not easy, and honestly, it’s not for everyone, but it can be done, as you learned today…

If you’re inspired by this story and want to start your own micro or full-scale commercial organic garden, I have a special bonus for you.

I’ve put together an email course where we’re going to go into much more detail about what it takes to become successful as a market gardener.

Related Posts:

Starting a Market Garden | Market Gardening 101

November 30, 2023 --> July 11, 2024 8 min read 0 Comments

A Guide to Starting a Market Garden

Are you interested in starting a market garden? Jenna from Partners’ Gardens goes through important factors to consider when taking your backyard gardening to the next level. Start making money while doing what you love.

WHAT IS MARKET GARDENING?

Market gardening   is growing food and  flowers   intensively and efficiently on a small amount of land, often an acre or less. Growing in a calculated manner with identical beds, high-functioning and multi-purpose tools, and precise planning allows you to produce a lot of food. When done efficiently, market gardening can be highly profitable. 

Growers typically sell direct-to-consumers in a market gardening setup. This can include going to a farmers’ market,  starting a CSA , creating relationships with local chefs and small grocers, and having an on-site farmstand. 

Related: Structuring a Flower CSA | How to Start a Flower CSA Part 1

Those of us who start a market garden do so because we deeply feel the connection to our land, our food, where it comes from, and where it ends up. Market gardeners create a sustainable business that can support their families and even many part-time or full-time employees, all while being good stewards of land and resources.   

Want to take your Market Gardening journey to the next level? Consider signing up for the Market Gardener Masterclass and learn practical knowledge from the best! 

WHO CAN START A MARKET GARDEN?

If you have access to land and basic knowledge of gardening, you can learn how to market garden. Is your area in need of more growers and access to fresh, organic food? You could be the one to fill the gap. 

All it takes is diligent planning, the right tools, work-life balance, and the passion to  grow food for your community . Farming is more of a lifestyle than a job, and even though it’s hard, it’s very rewarding, and anyone with the right attitude can do it!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL FOOD?

Remembering that you are part of the bigger picture of bringing healthy food to your community helps bring meaning to the sometimes isolating solitary days in the field. 

Aside from providing fresh, healthy food for members of your community, the benefits include: 

• Healthy lifestyle for you
• The satisfaction of being a steward of land and resources 
• Opportunities to meet like-minded individuals in your area 
• Creating relationships through direct-to-consumer sales
• Creating a sustainable system of food access
• Connection to nature and a better understanding of where our food comes from 
• The flexibility of working for yourself, making your own schedule 
• Seeing your produce in action across plates in local restaurants

WHAT FACTORS SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN STARTING A MARKET FARM?

Understanding that farming is a lifestyle before diving in is crucial. Having a system for budgeting, record keeping, crop rotation, and knowing exactly where you’ll sell your product will help start every season off on the right foot. 

BUDGETING FOR THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR FARM

You’ll want to save for at least the crucial items that are required to start market gardening, but you don’t have to go crazy. We started our farm on a dime and, over the years, have stepped up our quality of tools, equipment, and infrastructure. Focus on seeds, soil, and basic tools and work up from there. 

Things to consider: 

• Renting land OR trading products for the use of someone’s land vs. using your own. What are the pros and cons? If there’s a conservation district near you, reaching out to an agent at your ag extension office is a good place to start.
• Renting a walk-behind BCS for a couple of hundred dollars for a weekend to prepare all your beds for the season may seem daunting, but it’s a huge time-saver if you can manage it. 
• Is there a tool and equipment rental option in your area? Contact your local extension office or library to inquire before purchasing. 
• Join a Facebook gardening or farming group to inquire about buy-ins for soil, seeds, etc. Sometimes going in on items in bulk saves everyone money. 
• What do you already have that you can use? Get creative, you’ll be surprised at how easily you can make it work with what you have on hand. 
• Consider trading services with someone nearby. For instance, offer to trade fresh produce or preserved goods later in the season for performing various farm tasks like weeding, moving weight bags and silage tarps, or for the use of a piece of equipment like a tractor to move heavy compost. Or better yet, trade for something you don’t produce, like cheese or meat! 
• There are a lot of little supplies that go into market gardening that you may not think of on the surface.  Some of these items include: 
• Rubber bands
• Newspaper for storage and packing 
• Harvest knives/shears
• Storage bins 
• Refrigeration 
• Hoops, insect netting, and frost blankets 
• Tables, a tent, a money box, and other various supplies for farmers’ markets

Don’t get overwhelmed. Just do a little at a time. We started from scratch and looking back, I’m in awe and so proud that we made it work the first year. 

Although market gardening doesn’t rely on heavy, expensive machinery, it’s important to have the right tools for sustainability and to keep your body feeling healthy. There are a few that you should consider purchasing before starting. Look for them used in online forums, gardening clubs, or from farmers who are looking to retire for cheaper options. 

The essentials: 

• A broadfork and sturdy shovels
• Hand tools: trowels, weed rakes
• Hoes: standard, wire, and swivel
• A seeder: The Jang Seeder and the Earth Way seeder are the go-tos in market gardening
• Wheelbarrow and garden cart 
• Good quality seed-starting supplies  
• Access to land, water, seeds, and healthy soil/amendments
• A high quality 4' or 6' hoop bender for building low tunnels.
• Season extension items like  frost blankets , silage tarps , and shade cloth , caterpillar tunnels .
• Personal gear like rubber boots, sturdy pants, pocket knife, harvest knives, sunscreen, and sunglasses, to name a few! 

You know what they say, work smarter, not harder. 

Market Garden Planning

Record-keeping is crucial to the success of any business, especially in farming. Each year brings different weather patterns, new challenges, pests, and market disruptions (COVID-19 pandemic, anyone?), so having detailed notes to look back on will make planning each subsequent year much easier. 

• Keep a daily, weekly, and monthly calendar. This includes sowing seeds, weeding, hardening off, transplanting, row cover usage, pests, irrigation, and harvest timeline. If you’re a paper person, keep a detailed calendar. If you prefer to keep things on your phone, have a system in the notes app, calendar app, or some other planning app of your choice. Just have a plan. 
• Draw out field maps, taking into account spacing, companion planting, pests, diseases, and annual crop rotation. Change is okay in the moment, but at the very least, knowing which field you’re starting the season in makes a big difference when it comes to planning. 
• Purchase seeds early so you don’t miss out on something you want. Have a designated storage area. Use labels and have a system to determine when you’re low or out of a certain seed so you can reorder in time for the next sowing. 
• Create SOPs, even if you’re the only worker. Consistency in processes on the farm helps the busy times seem more manageable. For example, when sowing microgreens, how much soil are you adding to each tray before sowing seeds? It may seem a mundane thing, but if you ever need to pass the task on to someone else, you can easily say, “Add 4 full scoops of soil to the microgreen tray before sowing seeds.” Then you know it’s the same each time.
• Conclude each season with a “SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)” discussion. Include everyone you can, including volunteers, employees, friends, family members, and customers. Use this when planning for the following season. Maybe you thought eggplant would kill it at your farmers’ market, but it was a total flop. Or that an incoming potato farmer would be big competition, but instead, you worked together to create a more vibrant market for consumers by growing and offering different varieties. 
• Take into account the results of your SWOT analysis when planning for the following year so you don’t make the same mistakes twice and you learn from past seasons. 

FINDING MARKETS

Finding a market for the produce you are growing can be done is several ways. Whether it's farmers markets, CSAs, community shares, pop-ups, or the local grocery store, the decision ultimately lies with you. However, the key is to align your choice with your farm's size, production capacity, location, and personal preferences. To maximize your reach, consider diversifying your outlets—a strategy that not only mitigates risk but also enhances exposure.

When selecting a venue, take into account your lifestyle. Committing to a farmers' market an hour away on a Saturday might not align with your daily routine and could leave a bitter taste. Instead, explore nearby markets, perhaps in a town you already frequent. Transitioning from a customer to a vendor in a familiar setting can make the experience more seamless and enjoyable.

Ask around in your circle of friends and family. Maybe someone is or knows someone on a board of directors and can get you a recommendation. Stop by several markets and see what the vibe is, paying attention to how many produce vendors there are. Ask to speak to the market manager. Personal connections can make a big difference in this world. 

For tips on how to set up a successful farmers’ market booth, read more here . If you want to focus on flowers, check out our article on Finding Your Cut Flower Market.  

WHAT TO GROW YOUR FIRST YEAR OF MARKET GARDENING 

Grow only what you can sell, so do your market research before purchasing seeds. Look around at stores, farmstands, and farmers’ markets in your area to see what’s on the shelves. Farmers love talking about what they grow, so don’t be afraid to ask them! 

Start with what you love to grow. If it’s lettuce, try a bunch. Here are a few easy crops to get started with that everyone will love at the market. Once you get a handle on how to grow in your space and what your market customers demand, you can branch out. 

• Green onions 
• Summer squash 
• Peppers, although these can be a little challenging for beginners. 
• Greens such as kale, spinach, and arugula 
• Radishes   

TIPS FROM A MARKET GARDENER: 

• Start small, and don’t try to do it all. The goal is to be great at some things rather than mediocre at all things. 
• Create work-life balance from the start. 
• Keep records and be willing to shift if things aren’t working the way you’d planned. 
• Change with the market. Grow the trendy crops, but drop them when they’re no longer a hot commodity. 
• Focus on soil health. It may take several years, but the rest will fall into place. Pest management, weed control, yields, all of it. 
• Remember why you’re growing and try to enjoy the day-to-day magic of being outside in nature. 
• Go easy on yourself. Odds are, customers won’t see the little things you stress over, like the “messiness,” broken pallets, or overcrowded greenhouse. It’s magical to them. Try to see it through their eyes and appreciate the beauty of what you’re doing. 
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help and consult with farmers more experienced than you. They were all new once too! 

RESOURCES FOR MARKET GARDENERS 

Market gardening isn’t going anywhere, and each year there are more helpful resources. Here are just a few of my favorites: 

• The Market Gardener JM Fortier and similar books 
• Growing For Market is a print and online publication featuring practical tips and stories to help growers find their place in the market gardening world.
• Online Workshops like The Market Gardening Masterclass with JM Fortier 
• Books and online blogs 
• YouTube channels; it’s amazing how willing most people are to share their tips for success as well as mistakes to learn from! 
• Social media accounts that focus on marketing, branding, packaging, selling, etc. 
• Local gardening/farming groups 
• Join the board or planning group for a farmers’ market or seed-starting club near you 

Check out Bootstrap Farmer's bookshop.org list. 

  If you have a passion for growing food, being outside in nature, and having a role in your local food community, the hard yet rewarding work of market gardening is a wonderful way to spend your days. If you have access to land, water, and good soil, have a strong work ethic, and are ready to hit the streets to market your new business, you’re halfway there. 

Written by:  Jenna Rich

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What Is Market Gardening and Why Is It So Popular?

What is Market Gardening?

Market gardening is a type of intensive agriculture that focuses on producing high-quality, fresh produce for local markets. Market gardeners typically grow a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. They use sustainable farming practices to protect the environment and produce healthy food.

Market gardening can be a profitable and rewarding career, but it can also be challenging. Market gardeners need to be skilled growers, have a good understanding of the local market, and be able to manage their time and resources effectively.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of market gardening, including the different types of crops that can be grown, the challenges of market gardening, and the steps involved in starting a market garden business.

Definition of Market Gardening

Market gardening is a type of intensive agriculture that focuses on growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs for sale at local markets. Market gardeners typically sell their produce directly to consumers, bypassing the traditional supply chain of wholesalers and retailers. This allows them to get a higher price for their crops and to ensure that their products are fresh and of high quality.

History of Market Gardening

Market gardening has been practiced for centuries, but it became increasingly popular in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was due in part to the growth of cities and the increasing demand for fresh produce. Market gardeners were able to meet this demand by growing crops close to urban areas, where they could easily transport their products to market.

Key Features of Market Gardening

There are a number of key features that distinguish market gardening from other types of agriculture. These include:

• Intensive production: Market gardeners typically use intensive production methods to maximize the yield from their land. This may involve using raised beds, drip irrigation, and other techniques to increase the productivity of their crops.
• Close proximity to markets: Market gardeners typically grow their crops close to urban areas so that they can easily transport their products to market. This reduces the cost of transportation and helps to ensure that the produce is fresh when it reaches the consumer.
• Variety of crops: Market gardeners typically grow a variety of crops to ensure that they have something to sell year-round. This may include vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
• Direct sales: Market gardeners typically sell their produce directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, and other outlets. This allows them to get a higher price for their crops and to build relationships with their customers.

The Benefits of Market Gardening

Market gardening offers a number of benefits for both farmers and consumers. These benefits include:

• Economic benefits: Market gardening can be a profitable business for farmers. By selling their produce directly to consumers, they can get a higher price for their crops and avoid the costs associated with middlemen.
• Environmental benefits: Market gardening can be a sustainable form of agriculture. Market gardeners typically use intensive production methods that can help to reduce the amount of land and water that is needed to grow crops. They may also use organic farming practices that help to protect the environment.
• Social benefits: Market gardening can help to create jobs and boost the local economy. Farmers who sell their produce directly to consumers help to support local businesses and create jobs in the community. They also provide fresh, healthy food to their customers.

market gardening is a sustainable, profitable, and socially beneficial way to grow food. It offers a number of benefits for farmers and consumers alike.

What Is Market Gardening?

Market gardening is a type of farming that focuses on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs for sale at local farmers markets, CSAs, and other direct-to-consumer outlets. Market gardeners typically grow a variety of crops, and they often use intensive growing methods to maximize yields.

Market gardening can be a profitable and rewarding way to farm, but it can also be challenging. Market gardeners need to be skilled in a variety of areas, including crop production, marketing, and sales. They also need to be able to manage their time and resources effectively.

There are many benefits to market gardening, including:

• Financial benefits: Market gardeners can earn a good living by selling their produce directly to consumers. They can also control their own prices, which can be more profitable than selling to a wholesaler.
• Environmental benefits: Market gardening can be a more sustainable way to farm than conventional agriculture. Market gardeners often use organic methods, which can help to protect the environment. They also typically use less land and water than conventional farmers.
• Social benefits: Market gardening can help to create a sense of community. Farmers markets and CSAs are often hubs of social activity, and they can help to connect people with their food.

The Challenges of Market Gardening

There are also some challenges associated with market gardening, including:

• Financial challenges: Market gardening can be a risky business. Market gardeners need to be able to weather fluctuations in the weather and the market. They also need to be able to invest in the necessary equipment and supplies.
• Technical challenges: Market gardening requires a high level of skill and knowledge. Market gardeners need to be able to grow a variety of crops, and they need to be able to do so in a sustainable way. They also need to be able to market their produce effectively.
• Marketing challenges: Market gardeners need to be able to market their produce to consumers. This can be a challenge, especially for small-scale farmers. Market gardeners need to find ways to reach their target customers and to convince them to buy their products.

Getting Started with Market Gardening

If you’re interested in starting a market garden, there are a few things you need to do:

• Choose a location: The first step is to choose a location for your market garden. You need to find a location that has good soil, access to water, and plenty of sunlight. You also need to make sure that the location is zoned for agricultural use.
• Plan your garden: Once you’ve chosen a location, you need to plan your garden. You need to decide what crops you want to grow, and you need to determine how much space you need for each crop. You also need to create a planting schedule and a watering schedule.
• Start your garden: Once you’ve planned your garden, you can start planting your crops. You need to make sure that you plant your crops at the right time of year, and you need to give them the right amount of water and nutrients.

Market gardening can be a rewarding and profitable way to farm. However, it’s important to be aware of the challenges involved before you get started. If you’re willing to put in the hard work, market gardening can be a great way to connect with your community and to produce healthy, delicious food.

Additional Resources

• [The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Market Gardening](https://www.sustainableagriculture.net/learn/markets/market-gardening)
• [The University of California Cooperative Extension: Market Gardening](https://ucanr.edu/sites/ucanr.edu/files/

Market Gardening FAQs

Q: What is the difference between market gardening and conventional agriculture?

A: Market gardening and conventional agriculture are two different types of farming. Market gardening focuses on growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs for sale at local farmers markets, CSAs, and other direct-to-consumer outlets. Conventional agriculture, on the other hand, focuses on growing crops for large-scale commercial production.

Q: What are the benefits of market gardening?

A: There are many benefits to market gardening, including:

What is market gardening?

Market gardening is a type of intensive agriculture that focuses on growing high-quality produce for local markets. Market gardeners typically sell their products directly to consumers at farmers markets, farm stands, or through CSAs (community-supported agriculture).

What are the benefits of market gardening?

• Fresh, local produce: Market gardeners can grow crops that are fresh and local, which is often healthier and more flavorful than produce that has been shipped long distances.
• Environmental sustainability: Market gardening can be more sustainable than other forms of agriculture, as it can help to reduce the carbon footprint of food production.
• Economic benefits: Market gardening can provide a viable source of income for farmers, and it can also help to boost the local economy.

What are the challenges of market gardening?

There are also some challenges to market gardening, including:

• High start-up costs: Market gardening can be a more expensive type of agriculture than other forms, as it requires farmers to invest in land, equipment, and labor.
• Risk of crop failure: Market gardeners are at risk of crop failure due to weather conditions, pests, and diseases.
• Competition from other farmers: Market gardeners must compete with other farmers for customers, which can drive down prices.

How do I start a market garden?

If you’re interested in starting a market garden, there are a few things you need to consider:

• Choose a location: The best location for a market garden will have good soil, access to water, and be close to a local market.
• Get the necessary permits and licenses: You will need to obtain the necessary permits and licenses from your local government before you can start a market garden.
• Develop a business plan: A business plan will help you to outline your goals for your market garden and develop a strategy for achieving them.
• Purchase the necessary equipment: You will need to purchase the necessary equipment for your market garden, such as tools, seeds, and irrigation systems.
• Grow your crops: Once you have the necessary equipment, you can start growing your crops.
• Market your produce: You will need to market your produce to local customers in order to sell it.

What are some tips for successful market gardening?

There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of success in market gardening:

• Choose the right crops: Choose crops that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions.
• Practice good crop rotation: Crop rotation helps to improve soil health and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
• Use organic farming practices: Organic farming practices can help to improve soil health and produce healthier crops.
• Water your crops properly: Water is essential for plant growth, so it’s important to water your crops regularly.
• Control pests and diseases: Pests and diseases can damage your crops, so it’s important to take steps to control them.
• Harvest your crops at the right time: Harvesting your crops at the right time will help to ensure that they are at their peak quality.
• Market your produce effectively: You need to market your produce effectively in order to sell it.

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How to start a market garden

Whether you are an aspiring full-time farmer or a homesteader looking to earn extra money, starting a market garden is a great way to begin selling your own produce for profit. Luckily, the steps involved in how to start a market garden are fairly simple and easy to follow for small scale growers.

No matter where you are starting from, here are the basic steps to starting your own market garden.

Step 1: Do your research

If you think a market garden might be right for you, experienced market gardeners suggest you consult the patron saints of market gardening and their respective Bibles: Jean-Martin Fortier, author of “The Market Gardener,” and Eliot Coleman, author of “The New Organic Grower” and owner of Four Season Farm in Harborside, Maine. 

Since Coleman started his market garden in Maine in the late 1960s, he said market gardening — and the resources available — have grown.

“It’s amazingly popular,” Coleman chuckled. “There are a number of new young hotshots who have online programs you can purchase and subscribe to that will sort of lead you by the hand through a lot of the information you need to know.”

If you do not have professional farming experience, Zachary Zeigler, owner of Zeigler’s Market Garden in Norfolk, Massachusetts. also suggested working on another farm before you decide if you want your own.

“Before you jump into it, work on other farms,” he said. “A lot of people thought they wanted to farm and when you get down to it it’s actually not that fun. Before you decide to buy that broadfork, you got to test it out.”

Step 2: Start small (and don’t quit your day job)

No matter what your goals are for your market garden, experienced market farmers all agree that newcomers should start small. Maintain a prudent and frugal attitude throughout all the early steps of starting a market garden.

“I am a big advocate of slow and steady,” Zeigler said. “The best way is to manage funds well at the beginning. Start small” 

In the same vein, make sure you have an additional source of income at the start of your market gardening journey. 

“The first thing I tell people is don’t quit your day job,” Coleman laughed.

You can transition to more full-time farming as you gain experience and expand your customer base, but experienced market gardeners agree that having a part-time or full-time work in addition to your fledgling market garden is helpful in the early days.

Step 3: Buy or lease land

To start a market garden, the first thing you need is land, or access to land.

“You need to have some land, although there are some people that successfully borrow land in order to do it,” Coleman said.

Land can be a limiting factor in the long term, but at the outset, experts agree it is best to start small. Lease an acre of land or start producing on the land you have available before expanding production.

Step 4: Gather your tools

Even if you are excited about your new venture, Zeigler said to start market gardening conservatively to avoid financial pitfalls.

“You see a lot of times folks will go all-in — buy newest walk-behind tractor, newest feeder, newest everything — and they spend all their capital,” Zeigler said. “You could have one rough weather year and the market could be canceled for two weeks and you’re out of money.”

Most market gardens can be managed with simple, inexpensive tools. 

“I first started in 1965 in New Hampshire and basically we were in the 19th century,” Coleman laughed. “There were no new tools. Nobody ever thought that that size and scale of vegetable production would continue once the big boys in California made everyone think that was the only way to do it.”

Coleman said that he still uses his old rototiller, but there are new methods available that require even less labor.

“A lot is being achieved either by spreading a sheet of clear plastic over large areas of soil to solarize the soil and kill weeds, or spreading a tarp over the soil [in a process called occultation],” Coleman said. “I often ponder if I knew about either of those techniques, I might not have even bothered getting the rototiller.”

In terms of tools, Coleman said the main challenge the Maine market gardeners face is winter.

“When we started in the late-60s and early-70s it was a little disappointing,” Coleman admitted. “Every September, we would turn this business we worked so hard to develop back over to the Californians for the next six to seven months because winter happened.” 

“We kept experimenting around to see how much further in the fall we could go and how much earlier in the spring we could start,” Coleman said.

Now that there are tried and true practices for season extension, Coleman recommended that Mainers and other market gardeners in cold climates take advantage of them and continue experimenting on their own to find out what works best for them.

“Expanding our season from just our traditional New England warm months and doing it by pioneering ideas of growing in unheated greenhouses, by sticking to the crops like spinach and scallions that are very cold hardy, that’s one of the best steps we’ve made,” Coleman said. “I recommend that.”

Wolff said you can save money on gardening supplies by building your own infrastructure, like greenhouses and other season extenders .

“You don’t really have to sink that much money into a market garden,” said Adrienne Wolff, co-owner of Buckwheat’s Market Garden in Central Lake, Michigan. “You can home-make tools We’ve found that YouTube is one of our best friends as far as that.”

Step 5: Find a market

Finding a market to sell your crops is also an essential step to starting a market garden.

“Check around to see what your market is going to be,” Coleman said. “If you’re on a road and there are four other farm stands on your road, a farm stand is probably not going to be your best choice for marketing. You want to check and see what stores you might want to sell to.”

Coleman said there are a few surprising sources for markets, including local supermarkets. 

“Not many of the local growers think of even selling there because they think, ‘Oh, supermarket — this is something that’s far too big,’” Coleman explained. “A lot of them are very committed to buying local food if they can find it.”

The market — and the most profitable crops to grow — will also depend on your location.

“Know where you’re living,” Coleman said. “Try to plan your cropping program to fit in with the reality of where you can sell it and who you can sell it to. If you’re way up in Northern Maine say you don’t want to specialize in arugula and mesclun because nobody up there is familiar with them. You want to specialize in Swiss chard, scallions and carrots.”

Step 6: Determine what you want to grow and sell

In the first few seasons, find out what you really enjoy growing.

“I think that when people start, they want to plant a million different things because they’re so excited,” Wolff said. “If you want to make something for profit, it’s good to first experiment and see what you enjoy growing.”

Those first few seasons of experimenting will help you determine what crops are best for you to grow to make money.  

“We cut out some things that aren’t efficient for us, like peas and string beans,” Zeigler said. “The amount of labor it takes to harvest those doesn’t always balance out. We also don’t grow much corn. It takes up a lot of space in the garden and they can grow it a lot cheaper at bigger farms. We whittled down to what was selling most at the market, and threw fun things in, like tomatillos and husk cherries

Choosing what you enjoy growing will also help you brand your market garden’s specialties, which is essential to finding the most profitable markets where you are going to sell your produce. 

“Figure out what kind of market garden you want to be,” Wolff said. “If you do want to sell for profit, I would grow things that you are proud to sell and plant things that can be planted or seeded close together so you’re using your space to its fullest potential.”

Step 7: Manage your expectations, but don’t get discouraged

No matter where you are, managing expectations is essential if you want to start a market garden. Zeigler said not compare yourself to others in the early days.

“The other thing we try to do is not compare ourselves to other farms or market gardens especially in the age of social media,” Zeigler said. “We find that if you just work hard and try not to overextend yourself you can actually make a pretty decent little profit off a market garden.”

Coleman said it may take a while to turn a profit on a market garden. Finding the work satisfying, he said, is the most important way to stay motivated in the early days.

“You don’t want to jump into it thinking it’s going to make you a fortune because it won’t,” Coleman said. “It’s hard work, but it’s satisfying work. I’ve never done anything I’ve found more satisfying than trying to grow the best possible most nutritious food for people.”

Sam Schipani loves pollinators, fresh herbs, and learning how to live more sustainably in small spaces. She has previously written for Sierra, Smithsonian, Earth Island Journal, and American Farm Publications.

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Table of contents, the ultimate guide to a garden service business plan.

• 3 April, 2024

Starting a Garden Service Business

When venturing into the world of garden service, it’s essential to lay a solid foundation for your business. This section will guide you through the key steps of starting a garden service business, including the importance of a business plan, setting up a legal entity, establishing a financial system, and marketing your services effectively.

Importance of a Business Plan

Before diving headfirst into your garden service business, it’s crucial to develop a comprehensive business plan. A well-crafted business plan serves as a roadmap, outlining your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It helps you stay focused, make informed decisions, and adapt to challenges along the way.

Developing a business plan allows you to define your target market, identify your unique selling proposition, and assess the competition. It also helps you determine the startup costs, estimate revenue projections, and create a marketing plan that resonates with your audience.

Setting Up a Legal Entity

When starting a garden service business, it’s important to establish a legal entity for your operation. This step ensures that you comply with local regulations and protect your personal assets. Depending on the nature of your business, you may choose to operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or even a limited liability company (LLC).

Consult with a legal professional or business advisor to determine the best legal structure for your garden service business. They can guide you through the process of registering your business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and understanding your tax obligations.

Establishing a Financial System

To lay the groundwork for financial success, it’s crucial to establish a solid financial system for your garden service business. This includes setting up a basic record-keeping system to track income, expenses, and client information. You can choose to utilize software programs or opt for manual record-keeping methods, depending on your preference and the scale of your business.

Additionally, keep track of your time and labor costs to accurately price your services and ensure profitability. Consider investing in accounting software or consulting with a bookkeeper to maintain accurate financial records and facilitate tax preparation.

Marketing Your Garden Service Business

To attract clients and grow your garden service business, effective marketing is essential. Start by leveraging word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers. Encourage them to spread the word and provide testimonials that you can showcase on your website or social media platforms.

Establish an online presence by creating a professional website for your business. This serves as a digital storefront where potential clients can learn more about your services, view testimonials, and contact you. Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to optimize your website for local search queries related to garden services.

In addition to your website, consider creating profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Regularly post engaging content, share gardening tips, and showcase your work to attract followers and generate interest in your services.

Harness the power of email marketing by building an email list of interested prospects and existing clients. Send out regular newsletters with helpful gardening tips, updates on your services, and exclusive promotions. This keeps your business top of mind and encourages repeat business.

By focusing on these key aspects—developing a business plan, setting up a legal entity, establishing a financial system, and implementing effective marketing strategies—you can lay a strong foundation for your garden service business. Remember to adapt and refine your strategies as you gain experience and grow your clientele.

Startup Costs for a Garden Service Business

Before diving into the garden service business, it’s essential to understand the startup costs involved. From estimating the initial investment to accounting for various expenses, a comprehensive understanding of these costs is crucial for creating a successful garden service business plan.

Estimating Initial Investment

Starting a garden service business can be relatively affordable, with experts suggesting that you can get started for under $5,000 ( Constant Contact ). However, the actual initial investment will depend on several factors, including the scale of your operations and the services you plan to offer. It’s important to carefully assess your business goals and create a budget accordingly.

Equipment and Material Costs

Investing in the right equipment and materials is essential for a garden service business. The cost of equipment will vary based on the specific services you plan to offer. Some common equipment and material costs may include:

These cost ranges are approximate and can vary based on quality, brand, and specific requirements. It’s important to consider both the initial investment and any recurring costs associated with equipment maintenance and replacement.

Advertising and Marketing Expenses

To attract customers and establish a strong presence in the market, allocating a budget for advertising and marketing is crucial. Digital advertising costs for a garden service business can range from $500 to $10,000 per month, depending on the extent of the advertising campaign ( FinmodelsLab ). This budget should include various marketing channels such as online ads, social media promotions, and search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Additionally, creating a website for your business can cost anywhere from $20 per year to over $5,500, depending on factors such as domain, hosting, website builder, and design packages chosen ( FinmodelsLab ). Creating a professional logo and other promotional materials may also incur costs ranging from $125 to $1,177 ( FinmodelsLab ).

Legal and Insurance Costs

When starting a garden service business, it is important to consider the costs associated with legal and insurance requirements. This may include:

• Business registration fees: The cost of establishing a legal entity for your business, such as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC), may vary depending on your jurisdiction.
• Licenses and permits: Research and obtain any necessary licenses and permits required to operate your garden service business in your area.
• Insurance: Consider investing in general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance to protect your business and employees from potential risks and liabilities. The cost of insurance will depend on factors such as the size of your business and the coverage you choose.

It’s advisable to consult with a legal professional and insurance provider to determine the specific costs associated with legal and insurance requirements for your garden service business.

By estimating the initial investment, considering equipment and material costs, budgeting for advertising and marketing expenses, and accounting for legal and insurance costs, you can develop a comprehensive understanding of the startup costs involved in starting a garden service business. This information will help you create a well-rounded garden service business plan and set realistic financial goals for your venture.

Developing a Lawn Care Business Plan

When starting a lawn care business, developing a comprehensive business plan is crucial for success. A well-crafted plan serves as a roadmap for your business, outlining key elements such as the executive summary, pricing and revenue projections, market research, and employee planning and labor costs.

Executive Summary and Business Overview

The executive summary and business overview section of your lawn care business plan provides a concise overview of your company and its goals. It should include a brief history of the business, an explanation of the services you offer, and your plans for growth and expansion. This section should be concise, typically no more than a page in length, while still effectively conveying the essence of your business. For more information on starting a garden service business, refer to our article on how to start a garden service business .

Pricing and Revenue Projections

Pricing is a critical component of your lawn care business plan. You need to consider all costs associated with running your business, including materials, labor, and overhead expenses. Calculating an appropriate pricing structure ensures that you cover your costs and generate a profit. It is essential to research the market rate for lawn care services in your area and determine a pricing strategy that aligns with your profit goals. For example, Mow & Sow charges a flat $45 per hour fee for their services, with materials priced at the market rate plus a 10% markup ( Jobber ).

To create accurate revenue projections, consider variables such as the number of clients you expect to acquire, the frequency of service, and the average revenue generated per client. By estimating revenue based on these factors, you can set realistic financial goals for your lawn care business.

Market Research and Target Clientele

Conducting thorough market research is essential for your lawn care business plan. It enables you to identify your target clientele and understand the market opportunity. Research should include demographics of potential clients in your area, as well as industry trends that can be leveraged to meet client needs. Understanding your target market allows you to tailor your services and marketing efforts to attract the right customers. For comprehensive information on garden service business ideas, refer to our article on garden service business ideas .

Employee Planning and Labor Costs

Employee planning is a crucial aspect of your lawn care business plan, particularly since labor costs often make up a significant portion of your expenses. This section should outline your plans for hiring employees, including their roles and responsibilities. Consider projected revenue from new clients based on employee capacity. For example, if you plan to hire a new full-time laborer, estimate how many new weekly maintenance clients can be accommodated with this additional workforce. By carefully planning your staffing needs, you can ensure efficient operations and meet the demands of your growing customer base.

By addressing these key elements in your lawn care business plan, you can lay a solid foundation for your venture. Remember to regularly review and update your plan as your business evolves. A well-crafted plan will help guide your decision-making process, attract potential investors or lenders, and set you on the path to success in the competitive lawn care industry. For information on garden service business insurance, visit our article on garden service business insurance .

Building a Financial Model for a Landscape Business

To ensure the success and profitability of a landscape business, it’s important to develop a comprehensive financial model. This model will help you forecast future growth, estimate revenue, analyze expenses, and understand the overall financial health of your business. Here are the key components to consider when building a financial model for your landscape business.

Forecasting Number of Contracts

The first step in building a financial model for a landscape business is to forecast the number of contracts over time. This involves estimating both new contracts and repeat contracts. The number of contracts you can handle is dependent on the capacity of your business, including the number of landscaping workers you have and the duration of each contract. By analyzing historical data and market trends, you can make informed projections about the number of contracts you expect to secure in the future. This information will be crucial for estimating revenue and planning resources effectively ( SharpSheets ).

Revenue Projections

Revenue projections for a landscape business can be calculated by segmenting the number of contracts by different types of jobs, each with their own rates and associated costs. By analyzing past performance and market demand, you can estimate the revenue generated from each contract type. It’s essential to consider factors such as seasonal variations in demand and the pricing strategies of your competitors. Accurate revenue projections will help you determine the financial viability of your business and identify areas for growth ( SharpSheets ).

Expenses and Cost Analysis

Analyzing expenses is a critical aspect of building a financial model for a landscape business. Key expenses to consider include staff costs, fuel costs, rent expenses, and equipment maintenance. Staff costs typically account for a significant portion of total expenses, as the landscape industry is service-oriented with minimal fixed costs apart from payroll. Fuel costs are important due to travel between clients and the operation of gas-powered equipment. Rent expenses vary depending on the size of the business and the need for storage space or a separate office. Equipment maintenance costs include repairs and annual fees for maintenance services. By accurately estimating and analyzing expenses, you can identify areas where cost reductions or optimizations can be made ( SharpSheets ).

Profit-and-Loss (P&L) Statement and Cash Flow Statement

A profit-and-loss (P&L) statement and a cash flow statement are essential components of a financial model for a landscape business. The P&L statement helps visualize key financial metrics such as gross profit and EBITDA margin. It provides a comprehensive overview of your revenue, expenses, and net profit over a specific period. The cash flow statement, on the other hand, includes all cash items from the P&L and other cash movements like capital investments and debt. It helps you understand the cash inflows and outflows of your business, ensuring that you have adequate funds to cover expenses and invest in growth opportunities. Regularly reviewing and analyzing these statements will enable you to make informed financial decisions and steer your landscape business towards profitability ( SharpSheets ).

By developing a robust financial model for your landscape business, including forecasting the number of contracts, projecting revenue, analyzing expenses, and creating P&L and cash flow statements, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the financial aspects of your business. This will guide your decision-making process, help you identify areas for improvement, and ensure the long-term profitability and sustainability of your landscape business.

Market Trends and Opportunities in the Landscaping Industry

The landscaping industry is a dynamic and thriving sector, offering numerous growth opportunities for aspiring garden service businesses. Understanding the market trends and dynamics is essential for success in this competitive field.

Growth and Revenue Potential

The gardening industry has experienced consistent growth, with an annual increase of around 6% for the past two decades, generating approximately $100 billion in revenue annually ( FinmodelsLab ). This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for landscaping services from both residential and commercial clients. As people prioritize their outdoor spaces and seek professional assistance in maintaining and beautifying their gardens, the potential for revenue and business expansion in the market remains promising.

Technological Advancements

Technological innovation plays a crucial role in optimizing the performance of products and services in the landscaping industry. Advancements in equipment, tools, and software have revolutionized the way garden service businesses operate, increasing efficiency and productivity. For instance, the use of advanced irrigation systems, robotic mowers, and drones has streamlined various tasks, enabling garden service providers to offer more precise and effective services ( LinkedIn ). Embracing and adopting these technological advancements can give businesses a competitive edge and improve overall customer satisfaction.

Adapting to Challenges Posed by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to various industries, including landscaping. However, it has also created new opportunities for garden service businesses to adapt and respond effectively to the changing landscape. As people spend more time at home, there has been an increased focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. Garden service providers can leverage this trend by offering tailored services that cater to the evolving needs of their clients. Implementing safety protocols and adopting contactless payment options can also help businesses navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic ( LinkedIn ).

Market Dynamics and Customer Preferences

Understanding market dynamics and customer preferences is vital for the success of a garden service business. Factors such as demographic shifts, environmental concerns, and changing lifestyles influence the demand for landscaping services. For instance, an aging population may require specialized services to accommodate their needs, while environmentally conscious customers may seek eco-friendly and sustainable landscaping solutions. By staying informed about market trends and customer preferences, businesses can adapt their offerings to meet the evolving demands of their target clientele, ensuring long-term success in the industry.

By keeping an eye on the growth and revenue potential, embracing technological advancements, adapting to challenges posed by COVID-19, and staying attuned to market dynamics and customer preferences, garden service businesses can position themselves for success in the landscaping industry. It is essential to continually assess and adjust strategies to capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities, enabling sustainable growth and profitability.

Vision and Planning for a Market Garden Business

When starting a market garden business, it is essential to have a clear vision that aligns with your personal and professional goals. This vision will guide decision-making, set goals, and help you envision the future success of your business. By having a well-defined vision, you can imagine your ideal day as a successful market gardener, envisioning activities, interactions, and achievements that will guide your business decisions along the way.

Aligning Vision and Business

Aligning your vision with your market garden business is crucial for long-term success. Your vision should reflect your values, passions, and desired lifestyle. By aligning your personal aspirations with your business goals, you create a strong foundation for decision-making and prioritize actions that support your overall vision.

Structured Approach to Business Planning

To develop a market garden business, it is beneficial to take a structured approach to planning. This involves defining your vision, mission, goals, projects, and tasks. A well-structured plan helps to clarify objectives, set priorities, and make efficient use of your time and resources. By breaking down your goals into manageable projects and tasks, you can effectively track progress and stay focused on the path towards success.

Starting with Limited Resources

Starting a market garden business doesn’t always require significant upfront investments. In fact, successful market gardens can be initiated on rented land with access to necessary equipment like a tractor. This means you can begin your business even if you don’t own the land or equipment initially. By focusing on your vision and planning before acquiring physical resources, you can ensure that your business is built on a solid foundation.

Importance of Market Research

Market research plays a crucial role in the success of a market garden business. Understanding customer demand and identifying potential buyers for your farm produce is essential for setting up and running a profitable operation. By conducting thorough market research, you can identify trends, assess competition, and tailor your products and services to meet the needs of your target market. Market research becomes a vital project when aiming to achieve specific goals, such as reaching gross sales targets.

By aligning your vision and business, taking a structured approach to planning, starting with limited resources, and conducting thorough market research, you can lay a solid foundation for your market garden business. These steps will guide your decision-making, help you set realistic goals, and increase the chances of long-term success in the competitive market gardening industry.

Establishing a Residential Lawn Care Service

To establish a successful residential lawn care service, it is important to consider various factors such as target clientele, partnership and ownership structure, services provided to clients, and competition within the lawn care industry.

Targeting Rural Middle-Class Homes

When establishing a residential lawn care service, targeting rural middle-class homes can be a profitable strategy. Many families in this income bracket opt for larger parcels of land in the countryside, where they can have spacious yards that require regular maintenance. The owners of these properties often find it challenging to care for their yards on their own due to the size and time commitment required. By offering reliable and professional lawn care services, you can cater to the needs of this specific clientele segment ( Bplans ).

Partnership and Ownership Structure

Determining the partnership and ownership structure for your residential lawn care service is an important step. You may choose to operate as a sole proprietorship, where you are the sole owner and responsible for all aspects of the business. Alternatively, you can form a partnership, where multiple individuals share ownership and responsibilities. Each structure has its own advantages and considerations, so it is essential to consult with a legal professional to determine the best fit for your specific circumstances.

Services Provided to Clients

To attract and retain clients, it is crucial to offer a comprehensive range of services. These may include mowing and trimming, fertilization, weed control, pest management, irrigation system maintenance, and landscaping services. By providing a variety of services, you can meet the diverse needs of your clients and position your residential lawn care service as a one-stop solution for their landscaping requirements.

Competing in the Lawn Care Industry

The lawn care industry is composed of many small businesses due to the relatively low start-up costs and high labor intensity involved. However, the industry is also vulnerable to economic downturns, as lawn care services are often considered discretionary expenses. Additionally, the industry is seasonal, with peak activity during spring through fall and reduced demand in winter ( Bplans ).

To compete effectively, it is essential to differentiate your residential lawn care service by emphasizing high-quality work and professionalism. Treat every job with utmost importance, ensuring that customers receive the level of quality they expect. Providing exceptional customer service, maintaining reliable scheduling, and offering personalized attention can set your business apart from competitors ( Bplans ).

By targeting rural middle-class homes, establishing a suitable ownership structure, offering a comprehensive range of services, and focusing on quality and professionalism, you can lay a solid foundation for your residential lawn care service. As you build your business, remember to stay updated on industry trends, adapt to customer preferences, and continuously refine your strategies to ensure long-term success in the competitive lawn care industry.

Marketing Strategies for a Landscape Business

To successfully promote your landscape business and attract clients, it’s essential to implement effective marketing strategies. By identifying your ideal client, starting a business blog, providing free guides and checklists, and implementing email marketing and automation, you can enhance your visibility and establish meaningful connections with your target audience.

Identifying the Ideal Client

One of the key strategies in a garden service business plan is identifying your ideal client. This involves creating a detailed buyer persona that helps you understand your clients’ priorities, expectations, and barriers to making purchasing decisions. By developing a deep understanding of your target audience, you can tailor your marketing efforts to resonate with their specific needs and preferences. This targeted approach increases the chances of attracting the right clients for your landscape business.

Starting a Business Blog

Starting a blog for your landscape business is an effective way to provide valuable content to your target audience and establish your expertise. A business blog allows you to address common questions and concerns that prospective clients may have, building trust and positioning your business as a reliable source of information. Additionally, search engines like Google value valuable and relevant content, making a blog an essential tool for improving your online visibility. Be sure to optimize your blog posts with relevant keywords to increase your chances of being discovered by potential clients.

Providing Free Guides and Checklists

Offering free guides and checklists to prospective clients can be a powerful strategy to capture their attention and establish a relationship. By providing valuable resources in exchange for their contact information, you can build a database of potential clients and nurture them over time. These guides and checklists can cover topics such as garden maintenance tips, seasonal landscaping advice, or plant care guidelines. Implementing marketing automation software can help you manage and deliver these resources seamlessly, enhancing the overall client experience.

Implementing Email Marketing and Automation

Once you have captured the contact information of prospective clients, implementing an email marketing strategy is crucial for nurturing those relationships and guiding clients towards a purchasing decision. By customizing email sequences based on clients’ content download preferences, you can deliver targeted and relevant content that keeps your business top of mind. Email marketing automation allows you to automate this process, ensuring that your messages are sent at the right time to maximize engagement and conversions.

By implementing these marketing strategies for your landscape business, you can effectively reach and engage your target audience. In addition to these strategies, consider exploring other marketing avenues such as running Facebook ad campaigns to further expand your reach and attract new clients. Remember to regularly evaluate and adjust your marketing efforts based on their performance to continuously improve your results.

Startup Costs for a Lawn Care Business

Before starting a lawn care business, it’s important to consider the various startup costs involved. Understanding these costs will help you create a realistic financial plan and ensure a smooth launch for your business. Here are the key components to consider when estimating the startup costs for a lawn care business:

Estimated Initial Investment

The startup costs for a lawn care business typically range from $5,000 to $8,000, excluding the total price of a truck ( Lawn Love ). The actual investment required may vary depending on factors such as the size and scope of your operations, geographical location, and equipment needs. It’s essential to conduct thorough research and create a detailed financial plan to determine the specific startup costs for your business.

Structural and Legal Expenses

Starting a lawn care business involves certain structural and legal expenses. These may include acquiring a business license, setting up a legal entity, and filing taxes. Depending on your location and the legal requirements, these expenses can vary. It’s advisable to consult with a legal professional or business advisor to ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and to estimate the associated costs. Additionally, workers’ compensation insurance may be mandatory when hiring staff for your business, ensuring their protection in case of work-related injuries.

Equipment forms a significant part of the startup costs for a lawn care business. The specific equipment needed will depend on the services you plan to offer. Common equipment includes mowing equipment, edgers, trucks or equipment trailers for transportation, safety gear, leaf blowers, and more. The cost of purchasing this equipment can range from $5,000 to $8,000 ( Lawn Love ). It’s important to carefully assess your equipment needs and allocate a budget accordingly. Consider both new and used equipment options, and compare prices from different suppliers to make informed purchasing decisions.

Marketing and Advertising Expenses

Effective marketing is crucial for attracting customers and growing your lawn care business. Marketing expenses can vary depending on the strategies and channels you choose to promote your services. Traditional methods may include flyers, signage, and local advertising. In today’s digital age, online marketing techniques such as creating a website, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, local internet advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO) are also effective ways to reach potential customers. It is recommended to allocate a monthly budget of $200 to $2,000 for online marketing activities. Additionally, consider partnering with online platforms like Lawn Love, which can provide additional advertising support for your business.

Estimating and budgeting for these startup costs will help you plan your finances effectively and set realistic goals for your lawn care business. As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, consult with industry experts and experienced professionals to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the costs involved and make informed decisions for the growth and success of your business.

Choosing a Business Structure for a Lawn Care Business

When starting a lawn care business, one of the crucial decisions to make is choosing the right business structure. The structure you select will impact your legal and financial responsibilities, taxation, and personal liability. Here are three common business structures to consider:

Sole Proprietorship and Partnership

A sole proprietorship is the simplest and most common business structure for small startups in the lawn care industry. In a sole proprietorship, the business is owned and operated by an individual. The owner has complete control over the business and is personally liable for any debts or legal obligations.

Partnerships are another option for lawn care businesses. In a partnership, two or more individuals share ownership and management responsibilities. Like sole proprietorships, partnerships are relatively simple to set up and have less regulatory requirements compared to other business structures.

One example of a partnership in the lawn care industry is Fescue & Sons Yard Care, owned jointly and equally by Red and Kikuyu Fescue ( Bplans ). Red has the necessary expertise and management experience, while Kikuyu brings graphic design and gardening skills to the business.

Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are more complex business structures but offer additional benefits and protections.

In a corporation, the business is treated as a separate legal entity from its owners. This structure provides liability protection for the owners, known as shareholders, as their personal assets are generally shielded from business liabilities. Corporations also have the advantage of raising capital through the sale of shares.

LLCs combine the benefits of corporations and partnerships. They provide limited liability protection for owners, known as members, while allowing for more flexible management and taxation options. LLCs are increasingly popular among small businesses due to their simplicity and ability to protect personal assets.

When choosing between a corporation or LLC for your lawn care business, it’s advisable to consult with a legal and financial professional to determine which structure aligns best with your goals and circumstances.

Balancing Personal and Business Liabilities

One of the key considerations when selecting a business structure is the balance between personal and business liabilities. Sole proprietorships and partnerships expose the owner(s) to personal liability for business debts and legal obligations. This means that personal assets could be at risk if the business faces financial or legal challenges.

On the other hand, corporations and LLCs provide a level of separation between personal and business liabilities. In these structures, the owners’ liability is typically limited to their investment in the business, protecting personal assets from business-related risks.

It’s essential to carefully evaluate the potential risks and liabilities associated with your lawn care business. Consider consulting with an attorney or business advisor to determine the most appropriate business structure that aligns with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

Choosing the right business structure is a critical step in establishing a solid foundation for your lawn care business. Each structure has its own advantages and considerations, so take the time to research and seek professional advice to make an informed decision.

Starting a lawn care business requires careful consideration of the initial investment required. By estimating the startup costs, you can effectively plan your budget and ensure a smooth launch for your business. The following sections outline the key expenses to consider when starting a lawn care business.

The startup costs for a lawn care business typically range from $5,000 to $8,000, not including the total price of a truck. It’s important to note that expenses may vary depending on factors such as the size and scope of your business, local market conditions, and the specific services you plan to offer ( Lawn Love ).

To establish your lawn care business as a legal entity, you may need to incur expenses related to acquiring a business license, setting up a limited liability corporation (LLC), and filing taxes. It’s advisable to consult with a legal professional or business advisor to determine the appropriate legal structure based on your business type. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are common choices for small startups due to their simplicity, while corporate structures can protect personal assets from business liabilities ( Lawn Love ).

Investing in the necessary equipment and materials is crucial for the smooth operation of your lawn care business. The specific equipment needed will depend on the services you plan to offer. Common equipment includes mowing machines, edgers, trucks or equipment trailers for transportation, safety gear, leaf blowers, and more. On average, equipment costs can range from $5,000 to $8,000, but this can vary based on your specific requirements ( Lawn Love ).

To attract customers and promote your lawn care business, allocating a budget for marketing and advertising is essential. This can include traditional methods such as flyers, signage, and local advertisements, as well as online marketing techniques like creating a website, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, local internet advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO). It’s recommended to set aside a monthly online marketing budget of $200 to $2,000. Additionally, services like Lawn Love can provide additional advertising support for your business ( Lawn Love ).

By carefully estimating the startup costs for your lawn care business, you can ensure that you have the necessary funds to cover essential expenses. It’s important to conduct thorough market research, create a detailed business plan, and consider additional factors specific to your location and target market to accurately estimate your initial investment.

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Urban Backyard Farming for Profit

In this excerpt from The Urban Farmer , courtesy of New Society Publishers, Curtis Stone offers an innovative approach to urban backyard farming for profit — one that doesn’t require starting with acres of land in the country. In these urban farming business plans, which are based on his own experience and which have been refined over years, Stone outlines how you can start a gardening business while still working a 9-to-5 job, and increase your commitment and profits over time.

All the urban farming business plan models I’m proposing are designed to be scalable. You can start as a part-time farmer in your own backyard (Model 1), and then, after you gain some experience and feel comfortable quitting your day job to pursue farming full-time, you can scale up to 1⁄10 acre (Model 2) or 1⁄4 acre (Model 3). From there, you can continue to scale up as you see fit.

A quarter acre of land or less is the right amount to start with if you don’t have any previous experience in farming. I want to reiterate the lesson I should have learned after my first year: Don’t take on too much! Start small and grow slowly. On 1⁄4 acre, you have the potential to make $50,000 from the land itself, but if you incorporate some greenhouse or indoor microgreens, you could considerably increase that number — all by selling vegetables. This will all depend on your market streams. Understanding your market will be the key to your success in urban backyard farming.

Start a Gardening Business

Start-up costs . In order to spend less money as you start your gardening business, you’ll need to spend more time looking for deals on your major investments. If you can give yourself six months prior to starting, like I did, that should be enough time to build the infrastructure you need, prep some land, and look for the best deals on good used equipment. Using websites such as Craigslist, I found a lot of great deals, but I sometimes had to drive for hours to pick an item up. It was all worth it, though. I purchased a BCS tiller with three implements for $1,000, and I bought my first walk-in cooler for $1,000. If I had bought both of those items new, I would have spent $8,000 more. Be sure to shop around. Also, use Craigslist or other websites to post what you’re looking for — I found my BCS because of a post I published. The $7,000 I spent in my first season covered all of my major investments as well as seeds, tools, irrigation equipment, and fertilizer.

Revenue sources . To achieve ambitious revenue from 1⁄4 acre or less, you’ll need access to high-end restaurants and good farmers markets. Specialize in the crops that give you the highest return on the smallest amount of land in the least amount of turnover time. Your trade-off will be less diversity in crop selection. I wouldn’t consider operating a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program at first, as they’re best suited to 1⁄2 acre or more (Model 4).

The advantage of selling vegetables to restaurant markets is that you can grow large quantities of vegetables that have high margins. For example, I grow a lot of baby root vegetables, such as radishes, because some of my customers will go through 100 bunches per week. I grow them almost exclusively for restaurants. I can sell up to 200 pounds per week to all of my clients, but there’s no way I could sell that much at a market, or even in a CSA program; I’m lucky to sell 20 bunches on a good market day.

As you switch your focus to backyard farming for profit, you’ll learn over time what sells and where. Some items (such as Swiss chard and kale) sell better at the market than at restaurants. Learning which products do best in each area takes a little time, so track sales by customer and location in spreadsheets, continuously update them, and leverage this information over time for effective production and sales.

Basic planting strategies . On my farm, I’ve created two categories, Hi-Rotation (HR) and Bi-Rotation (BR) , in which I organize all my land. HR areas are plots with constant activity. In them, I plant quick crops which mature in under 60 days, and turn them over four times or more. I don’t plan where all my quick crops will go — I simply decide which areas will be HR, and I leave the details of my weekly planting to the demands of the market. If I don’t sell it, I don’t grow it. I plant BR beds only twice during the growing season. In these, I plant a steady crop which matures in 60 days or more. For commercial urban farming, I don’t recommend growing crops with long dates to maturity, such as onions, potatoes, winter squash, melons, garlic, or corn.

Urban Farming Business Plan, Model 1

In this model, you can earn $21,600 as an urban backyard farmer. At first, you can keep your day job for a year or two, scale your hours back a little bit, and run a farm on a part-time basis. That way, you can give yourself some comfort and security knowing that you don’t have to go in head-first. I will say, though, that jumping in will make you learn faster because you’ll have a lot more skin in the game. But not everyone is willing to take a risk that big at first.

Setup and most profitable vegetables to grow . One-tenth of an acre — about 36 beds at 30 inches by 25 feet on one piece of property — would be a manageable size for this model. Ideally, your own front yard and backyard, or somewhere really close to home, would be your farm. If you were to run this farm with all HR beds growing quick crops, it could gross $28,800 in a 30-week season. But, I would recommend diversifying your farm to give yourself experience with growing a variety of different crops. Thirty-six beds at half BR and half HR could still generate $21,600 in a 30-week season. The outcome for this model is less about maximizing profit and more about learning systems so you can scale up later.

Customers . Focus on market streams that are less risky and take less customer-service time — that’s primarily farmers markets. Most markets run on weekends, so even with a Monday-to-Friday job, you can do a lot of work on the weekends and evenings and successfully operate this model. It might be possible to sell vegetables to restaurants a little bit, as long as you focus on small owner-operator types that you’re confident you could supply. Look for places that will use small amounts, such as an order of $60 per week. Also, make sure they can be flexible with what they get because when you’re learning, you’ll find things may be a little inconsistent. The challenge when selling vegetables to chefs is that they require more customer service. Text messages and phone calls midweek will be common, and if you’re not available for those, you’ll have more difficulty engaging with those customers.

Time commitment . Realistically, you’ll eventually have to scale back your hours at your main job. For example, you could work Monday through Wednesday from 9 to 5, and then work an hour or two in the evenings or early mornings before your 9-to-5 job. On Thursday, you could work 12 to 5 so you’d have time in the morning to harvest for market. You’ll need to have Fridays off almost entirely because if you plan to sell at a Saturday market, you’ll need Friday to process and package all of your products.

I’ve seen small families with children and couples make this type of farm work quite well. The more collective support you have, the more options you’ll have for when the farm work can get done. You’ll need to be able to commit at least 20 hours per week plus a half day selling vegetables at a farmers market in order to make this model work.

Urban Farming Business Plan Model 2: Earn $58,800 on 1⁄10 Acre

Farming on 1⁄10 acre could include running an urban backyard farming business at your own home in the suburbs or on an urban lot. If you have a front and backyard that are a total of 4,356 square feet, you might have enough land to run a farming business from home. With this model, in order to maximize profits, you must only focus on HR beds growing quick crops — that means growing only fast-maturing crops such as greens, radishes, turnips, and some herbs, and turning those beds over at least four times during the season.

Setup and most profitable crops to grow . With a farm this size, you’d have about 36 total beds (as in Model 1) and about 10 inches for the walkways. If all those beds were in HR, your income potential for a 30-week season would be $28,800 from just the field crops alone. This number could rise with greenhouses for the field crops and microgreens. If you produce and sell 50 flats of microgreens per week at $20 per flat, it would be possible to gross $58,800 from a lot this size. Also, if your season is more than 30 weeks (which is the average for North America), your possibilities will be greater.

I recommend growing arugula, cilantro, baby dill, salad turnips, baby lettuce, mustard greens, radishes, baby red Russian kale, and baby spinach. You can mix together all the greens I mentioned (except spinach) in a variety of salad mixes, and you can sell spinach and arugula on their own. Try different mix combinations to market as different products. Mustard and arugula together form a “spicy mix,” for example.

Grow microgreens, such as pea shoots, sun shoots, and radish shoots, and some specialty microgreens, such as ‘Purple Dark Opal’ basil, cilantro, and anything with bright color. Pea shoots and sun shoots are common in the health-food community, so it makes sense to produce a lot of those and market them to that demographic. Radish shoots and specialty microgreens are popular in restaurant markets.

Customers . The risk of this model is that your products and market streams will be very specialized. So, your success will be based on your ability to cater to niche markets and move all the 10 or so crop varieties you grow. A farm like this might work well in a larger city where you’d have access to some high-end restaurant customers willing to buy only specific crops from you. In no way will you be a one-stop shop for anyone, and that means you’ll have to cater only to the specific needs of your clientele. The other risk is that working on a small scale means your restaurant customer base will also be pretty small, so you’ll be reliant on a handful of customers to support you. If you lose some of those customers, then your income could be compromised very quickly. These are some of the risks involved in primarily focusing on restaurant markets. If a certain chef leaves, then you’ll have to establish a relationship with the new one. I’ve had customers in the past who spent $1,000 per week, and then the restaurants changed concepts and chefs the next season, and I lost them as customers. Some diversification with customers is important, but it’s even more important to build good relationships with your clients and to constantly keep your eyes and ears open when communicating with them.

Time commitment . Urban backyard farming for proft at this scale could be a full-time job for one person working at least 40 hours per week. The microgreen production alone would be close to 15 hours per week, and the rest of the time you’d spend processing and delivering field crops. If you’re able to sell only to restaurants and not bother selling at a farmers market, then that will save you an entire day’s work standing at a market booth.

Urban Farming Business Plan Model 3: Earn $87,000 on 1/4 Acre

Farming 1⁄4 acre is the perfect place to start if you’re new to this profession and are prepared to make it your full-time job.

Setup and most profitable vegetables to grow . Focus on quick crops and HR areas. Don’t grow any BR crops, such as tomatoes or summer squash. However, you could have up to four beds of kale without affecting your income negatively. On 1⁄4 acre, you’d have about 90 beds with about 10-inch walkways between the beds. If you’re growing in a cold climate, I’d suggest using either poly low tunnels (a season extender made with greenhouse plastic, pictured on Page 30) or high tunnels (Pages 32 and 33) to prolong the season. With a few season-extension techniques, you should be able to market for 30 weeks if you’re in most places in North America, except for in Growing Zones 5 and lower. In those climates, a 20-week season would be reasonable.

Ninety beds in HR could generate $72,000 in 30 weeks or $2,400 per week on average. If you add some microgreen production to this model, you could bring in considerably more income. If you targeted 25 flats per week at $20 per flat for 30 weeks, you could bring the total gross up to $87,000, and if you were to be a little more ambitious and produce 50 flats per week for 30 weeks, it would be possible to gross $102,000 from your 1⁄4 acre.

The most profitable vegetables to grow here are turnips, bok choy, radishes, arugula, baby red Russian kale, and spinach as well as lettuce, mizuna, mustard, and tatsoi for greens mixes. You could add baby kale and arugula to those mixes as well. Grow bunches of herbs, such as baby dill, cilantro, and parsley. You could also grow kale for bunches to add a little more variety. Your microgreens could include pea shoots, sun shoots, radish shoots, and some specialty varieties for restaurants and farmers markets.

Customers . Aim for a balance of farmers markets and restaurants. Look for the possibility of providing some niche products for another farmer’s CSA program. I wouldn’t recommend running your own CSA program at this size because you won’t have enough variety in your products.

The advantage of this model is that you’ll be growing a small diversity of crops, which will offer you more marketability in both farmers markets and restaurants. So, this scale of operation will allow you to broaden your customer base.

Time commitment . For the highest potential gross income, you’ll most likely have to employ at least one person, part-time or full-time.

Urban Farming Business Plan Model 4: Earn $123,000 on 1/2 Acre

One-half acre is the largest amount of land I’m going to propose farming. Otherwise, you’ll be getting more into rural farm plans that farmers such as Jean-Martin Fortier or Eliot Coleman put forth. Half an acre is a lot of land for an urban farm; if you focus on high-value crops, you’ll likely exceed what your markets will bear, so you’ll have to offer a wider variety of products. Also, with a farm this size, you’re going to need an employee or two. This 1⁄2-acre model is not ideal for anyone new to farming, but it’s great for those who already have a season or two under their belt.

Setup and most profitable vegetables to grow . This much land would allow for 180 beds. I’d recommend farming an equal amount of HR and BR beds and all the crops I mentioned for the other models, along with some indoor or greenhouse microgreens.

Customers . With this much production and crop diversity, you’ll have the ability to market to a fairly wide customer base, including restaurants and farmers markets, and you could also start a small CSA program. Even at 1⁄2 acre, the primary value of a CSA program is not the income it brings but the upfront cash at the beginning of the season. With this larger farm model, you’ll have higher overhead costs, especially start-up costs. Your fixed costs for seeds, labor, fertilizer, and transport will be considerably higher. Make sure that expanding to a farm this size is worth it. If you can still pursue high-end markets, then your extra profits will absorb any extra costs. However, if you have to engage more lower-yielding market streams, such as CSA programs and more days at farmers markets, you might still make the same net profit. The key to expanding a farm is understanding what your market demand is and whether there’s room to grow. If you’re saturating your markets, then expanding your operation will be pointless. If, however, you’re selling out at the farmers market every week, and you can’t seem to grow enough for your restaurant clients, then obviously you can expand to meet demand.

Time commitment . It would be possible for two full-time employees who are co-owners to operate a farm this size. You might consider hiring some temporary help in summer months for market prep on Friday, but for the most part, two experienced people could farm 1⁄2 acre and still balance life and workflow.

Final Advice for Your Backyard Farming Business

I find it’s best to almost meet demand, but not quite. It’s better to sell everything every week than to not sell 15 percent of your product. I’d rather be 5 percent short than have 5 percent left over. Every time you go home with product, you’re working for free. I’ve maintained work/life balance partly because I sell pretty much everything I grow. If you enjoy gardening on a larger scale and can develop a high-value market, then there’s nothing stopping you from turning your interest into a business.

Curtis Stone owns Green City Acres, a commercial urban farm. During his slower months, he works as a public speaker, teacher, and consultant, sharing his story to inspire a new generation of farmers. Look for The Urban Farmer at the MOTHER EARTH NEWS store .

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How to Start a Gardening Business in 14 Steps (In-Depth Guide)

Updated:   January 25, 2024

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The gardening industry continues to grow, having reached $129 billion in 2023. More people are embracing the health and wellness benefits of growing their food, along with the satisfaction of a lush outdoor living space.

Gardening requires patience and persistence to be rewarding. Aspiring garden entrepreneurs have ample business opportunities to capitalize on this demand by offering landscaping , maintenance, hardscaping, or coaching services. With proper planning and execution, 2023 may be the perfect time to dig into the gardening industry.

This guide will walk you through how to start a gardening business. Topics include market research, competitive analysis, registering an EIN, forming a business entity, and other important details for the landscaping services industry.

1. Conduct Gardening Market Research

Market research is integral to starting a successful gardening business. it offers insight into your target market, trends in landscaping services, local market saturation, and other details to help you form a realistic business plan for your own gardening business.

Growth in the gardening market presents a major opportunity for aspiring successful landscaping business owners. Specific services in high demand include:

• Landscaping design and installation
• Lawn care and maintenance
• Hardscaping like patios and retaining walls
• Garden coaching and education

These niche areas allow for specialization around high-value services versus basic mowing and weeding. Developing expertise through training and certifications can further distinguish a lawn maintenance business.

Backyard and commercial segments both offer possibilities to scale. Residential spending accounts for over 75% of total lawn and garden sales. A key driver across segments is the migration towards organic, sustainable gardening practices.

With strategic preparation and focus, the thriving gardening sector presents a fertile small business opportunity. Specializing in high-demand services, targeting ideal buyer personas, and highlighting sustainability values can all set an aspiring garden entrepreneur up for success.

2. Analyze the Competition

Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial to starting your own landscaping business. The first step should be identifying existing companies offering similar services in your geographic area for an in-depth competitive analysis.

Whether you’re a self employed gardener or offering professional commercial gardening services, knowing the competition is important. Some ways to get to know more about local landscaping businesses include:

• When starting a gardening business, drive or walk around the neighborhoods you plan to target and make note of any landscapers or garden maintenance providers you see actively working.
• Search online directories and sites like Yelp to find additional local competitors, big and small.
• Review their websites and marketing materials to analyze service offerings, pricing, specializations, and clientele. This will help position your services.
• Search industry forums like Houzz and niche sites to explore discussions referencing local providers. Social media can also yield insights through reviews, before-and-after project photos, and real homeowner endorsements.
• Examine the digital footprint of 5-10 leading local competitors to identify possible website, blog, social media, and search visibility gaps you can fulfill.
• You can better attract web traffic through strong foundational on-page optimization, blogging, and social posting from launch.

By thoroughly evaluating the strengths of gardening competitors using both on-the-ground techniques and digital tools, an aspiring green entrepreneur can strategically position their differentiated offerings and go-to-market plan for maximum visibility and conversion.

3. Costs to Start a Gardening Business

When starting a gardening venture, upfront business expenses are required for tools and equipment, transportation, licensing and public liability insurance, and initial marketing efforts. These start-up costs typically range from $10,000-$30,000 or more, depending on the services offered and scope of operations.

Start-up Costs

At the low end, basic lawn mowing or weeding jobs can be launched with less than $10,000 in start-up costs if using your existing truck and equipment. This covers:

• State registration fees ($50-$100)
• County licensing ($25-$100 annually)
• Mowers ($150+)
• Trimmers ($70+)
• Pruners ($50)
• Rakes ($30)
• Hoses ($40+)
• Safety gear ($500+ total)
• Initial website design, logo creation, flyers, and business cards ($1000-$2000)
• Commercial-grade mowers ($3000+)
• Ride-on or zero-turn models ($5000+)
• Heavy-duty trucks/trailers ($25,000+)
• Excavators for grading and excavation ($15,000+)
• Liability insurance will also be necessary ($1200+ per year).
• Trade programs ($5000-$15,000)
• Specialized software for creating garden plans and visualizing hardscapes ($2500+).

Ongoing Costs

Ongoing operational expenses must also be built into financial planning and pricing. These include:

• Fuel ($300 per truck per month)
• Truck/equipment maintenance ($250+ monthly)
• Labor (15-25% of revenue towards staff)
• Software subscriptions ($50+ monthly)
• Insurance renewals ($1000+ annually)
• Replacement tools/gear ($3000+ annually)
• Brand marketing activities ($500+ monthly)
• Accounting services ($150+ monthly) Office rental if needed ($500+ monthly)

Managing cash flow in a successful business is critical, as many costs will be incurred upfront before large jobs can be invoiced. Slow seasonal periods also need to be planned for.

4. Form a Legal Business Entity

When starting a gardening venture, the legal structure carrying the most benefit is a limited liability company (LLC). Unlike sole proprietorships and partnerships exposing owners to personal liability, an LLC helps shield personal assets if sued.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship provides no liability protection outside business assets. All settlement claims or legal judgments can be made against the owner’s savings, investments, or property. Financial risks are too great for most landscaping operations.

Partnership

Partnerships like LP’s and LLP’s allow multiple owners for capital and skill pooling. However, liability protection is still minimal outside individual investments. For expanding gardening businesses aiming to manage growth flexibly, convert to an LLC.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

LLCs require more paperwork and annual fees than sole proprietorships but facilitate operational scalability. Business finances are separated from personal liability insulation. Multiple member-owners with flexible profit-sharing offer more options for growth capital and manager incentives, unlike S-corp or C-corp structures requiring share divisions.

Corporation

C-Corporations also imply double taxation whereas LLC income passes directly to member’s returns. An S-Corp election can be made if advantageous down the line while retaining LLC flexibility.

Those planning for immediate fast scaling through private equity or a strategic sale exit may analyze C-Corp formation upfront. But an LLC will suit most garden startups well in the interim thanks to owner protections combined with versatility for organic growth into multiple locations or service lines.

5. Register Your Business For Taxes

An employer identification number (EIN) is a unique tax ID number that identifies a business to the IRS for tax administration purposes. All gardening companies should apply for an EIN even if they do not have employees.

Sole proprietors can use their SSN tax ID instead. However, obtaining an EIN adds legitimacy and separates business tax obligations from the owner’s returns. Applying online takes just minutes.

Simply navigate to the IRS EIN Assistant and answer some basic questions about your gardening business structure. On the application, you will need to provide the legal business name matching your formation documents, address, and responsible party.

Submitting online through the streamlined EIN Assistant typically provides the EIN immediately upon completion of the short application. You can then use this tax ID on all federal and state tax registrations going forward rather than a Social Security Number.

Gardening businesses will also need sales tax permits and business licenses registered under the EIN at their Secretary of State office. Requirements vary by state but often include one-time or annual fees under $100.

6. Setup Your Accounting

Proper financial tracking is essential for landscaping companies to maximize tax deductions, manage cash flow around seasonal revenue swings, and ultimately sustain profitability. Using small business accounting software and working with an accountant from the start helps avoid painful IRS issues down the road.

Accounting Software

QuickBooks offers templated charts of accounts, invoices, and financial reports tailored to landscaping operations. Connecting bank accounts allows many transactions to automatically download and code with just a few clicks for efficient categorization. This gives real-time visibility into the true profit drivers and cost centers across the gardening business.

Hire an Accountant

While business owners can execute basic bookkeeping themselves in QuickBooks, partnering with an accountant ensures proper setup, processing, and compliance. Typical monthly accountant fees range from $200-$500 but offer invaluable expertise.

Open a Business Bank Account

Maintaining completely separate finances from personal banking and expenses also minimizes IRS risk and headaches. Opt for a designated gardening business checking account paired with a business credit card.

Apply for a Business Credit Card

Business credit cards often offer bonus rewards points on common landscaping purchases like equipment, diesel, hardware supplies, and uniforms. Approval decisions also factor in company revenue rather than personal credit scores, enabling substantially higher credit limits. Expect to supply past tax returns and financial statements during the application though.

7. Obtain Licenses and Permits

Before actively marketing or signing client contracts, every landscaping company must ensure they obtain all required state and county-level licenses and permits. Find federal license information through the U.S. Small Business Administration . The SBA also offers a local search tool for state and city requirements.

Common permits needed potentially include:

• Business license – Nearly all jurisdictions require annual business licenses for incorporated operations both place-based and online companies. Fees are typically under $100. The license legally certifies the business under state and county statutes.
• Pesticide applicator license – Applying weed control chemicals or distributing restricted products requires special pesticide handling permits. Licenses demonstrate competency in safely administering substances through exam completion. Fees vary by state but expect $75-$150 initial costs with continuing education.
• Trade licensing – Some counties mandate specific gardening specialty licenses for branches like irrigation contractors, tree trimming services that utilize heavy equipment near power lines, or low voltage outdoor lighting designers. These legitimize specialized expertise and compliance for consumer protection. Local license costs range from $50 to a few hundred dollars depending on the category.
• Stormwater permits – Construction projects disturbing over 1 acre may need stormwater and erosion control permits during development and then ongoing monitoring. County agencies aim to minimize runoff environmental impact through required planning oversight. Expect potential delays for larger hardscaping or re-grading jobs if permits are not obtained early.
• Waste/dumping licenses – Hauling away excess soil, plant debris, bark chips, or other byproducts from gardening projects often requires special waste transportation permits and facility dumping access. Counties want to govern proper waste stream management for these materials.

Knowing the specific business licenses required within the city, county, and state is imperative when initiating a gardening venture to avoid disruptive red tape, unexpected delays, or legal fines after launching.

8. Get Business Insurance

Operating a gardening business carries substantial risk exposure from onsite injuries, environmental incidents, property damage, and legal claims. Obtaining comprehensive business insurance coverage protects the company and personal assets if sued or facing major liability events.

Without adequate policies, a single serious accident on a client’s property could permanently destroy the landscaping business through massive settlement payments. Common concerning scenarios include:

• An employee injures their back lifting stones requiring $250,000 in medical treatment
• An incorrectly wired low-voltage lighting system causes an overnight fire that destroys a client’s $1.2M home
• A misapplied herbicide kills rare mature trees and flowering plants valued at $30,000+

In each of these situations, the gardening business without insurance would be directly responsible for covering these extensive costs out-of-pocket. Most companies cannot afford a single major event, much less multiple claims in a year. The owner would likely owe large personal judgments also unless an LLC or corporation.

However, with tailored small business policies in place fitting the services provided, the insurance company covers your legal liability and payouts. This business continuity protection facilitates focusing on daily operations rather than worrying about bankruptcy risks.

Typically needed policies include general liability, commercial auto insurance, professional errors & omissions, tool/equipment coverage, and workers’ compensation for employees. Expect to pay $5000 or more annually for a properly structured insurance program.

9. Create an Office Space

While gardening operations are primarily field-based, securing some type of centralized office space provides room for administrative tasks, meetings, equipment storage, and team rallies. The optimal solutions balance affordability with functionality.

Home Office

Many initial home-based landscaping businesses rely on spare bedrooms or garages for makeshift offices. Costs only amount to $100-$200 monthly for utilities and internet. However limited space often cannot support more than 1-2 employees or a proper organization. Still, this allows bootstrapping during early customer acquisition phases.

Commercial Office

As staff and equipment expand, moving into small commercial office spaces becomes preferable for around $1,000 – $1,500 monthly. More room facilitates holding team meetings or training for up to 10 employees while also providing secure indoor storage for tools, materials, and company vehicles. Having a professional dedicated workplace also elevates credibility with clients.

Coworking Office

Some large landscapers operate standalone yards with warehouses for machinery and fleet parking. But smaller operators may find coworking spaces like WeWork offer convenient flexibility between pure office and industrial environments.

10. Source Your Equipment

Successfully launching a gardening venture relies on securing essential tools, vehicles, and gear cost-effectively. Beyond buying new, alternatives like used purchases, rentals, and leasing certain asset types should be explored.

New equipment purchases offer warranty protections and often financing programs from brands like John Deere for mowers, trimmers, blowers plus attachments. Dealers also provide service and maintenance packages. However, costs run 15-30% higher than comparable used models.

Buying quality used equipment saves substantially on mowers, trucks, belts, chainsaws, plows, and more via private sellers. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist feature local construction tools and fleet vehicles from $50 to over $25k. Have a mechanic inspect before transacting.

For rare large-scale investments like excavators, backhoes, and graders, short-term rentals prove most practical. Companies like United Rentals offer flexible rates from $500-$1500 weekly with damage waivers and delivery included. Avoid buying these heavy assets that mostly sit idle.

Leasing trucks long-term combines reliability with lower costs from $150 monthly plus fuel expenses. Evaluate lease options from Isuzu , Fuso , and local dealers against used financing to determine the most budget-friendly commercial fleet. Look also at pre-owned lease takeovers.

11. Establish Your Brand Assets

Establishing a strong visual brand identity makes a new gardening business stand out locally while conveying professionalism and scale from launch. Ensuring brand touchpoints like logos, websites, domain names, and communication channels match elevates trust and memorability for faster traction.

Getting a Business Phone Number

Purchasing a dedicated business phone and fax line instead of relying solely on personal mobiles adds legitimacy. Cloud-based systems like RingCentral provide local/toll-free numbers, call routing, voicemail transcripts, and analytics for $30 per month.

Creating a Logo and Brand Assets

An outdoor-oriented gardening logo could embrace classic or modern styling. Local designers charge a few hundred dollars, while AI sites like Looka generate custom options for $20. Ensure logo use across websites, business cards, uniforms, truck branding, and job site signs.

Business Cards and Signage

Professionally designed business cards should be carried at all times when meeting prospective clients. Highlight services, web addresses, and mobile numbers. Investing in yard signs and truck magnets helps reinforce consistent branding while working. Order from convenient online print shops like Vistaprint .

Purchasing a Domain Name

Secure a domain name that matches the gardening business name and branding. Domain registrars like Namecheap enable buying domains affordably. Choose short, simple names conveying landscaping services for best memorability.

Building a Professional Website

An informational website is expected by clients today with 83% of shoppers researching online first. Build using Wix affordably or hire a developer on Fiverr to convey the brand personality.

12. Join Associations and Groups

Tapping into gardening associations, trade events, and online communities accelerates learning and relationship-building for fledgling landscaping entrepreneurs entering the industry. Surrounding yourself with seasoned veterans provides insider knowledge plus lead sharing and subcontracting opportunities.

Local Associations

In most states, accredited trade organizations like the Texas Landscape and Nursery Association and California Landscape Contractors Association advocate for and connect green industry providers statewide through directories, conferences, and working groups. Annual dues offer discounted insurance, compliance insights, and lead-generation platforms.

Networking Events

Area home shows, garden tours, industry trade events, and association chapter meetups grease the wheels for cultivating connections. Poll members for must-attend functions or browse regional calendars on Meetup . Talk to other owners about current opportunities and challenges in these live settings.

Facebook Communities

Thousands of landscapers network daily and find job leads within niche social groups like Landscape and Backyard Design Ideas and Landscapers of Facebook . Search for both hyperlocal and national communities relevant to your services.

13. How to Market a Gardening Business

Establishing an integrated marketing strategy combining digital and traditional tactics will accelerate finding ideal gardening clients while reinforcing market leadership. As referrals compound from delighted customers, dedicate 15-25% of revenues to continually attracting qualified prospects through select channels with the highest ROI potential.

Personal Networking

Early on, tap into existing personal and professional networks by offering free landscape evaluations or discounted pilot projects to showcase expertise. Satisfied clients then enthusiastically introduce landscaping services to their contacts. Consider thank-you gift cards or contribution-based referral programs to incentivize ongoing endorsements.

Digital Options

• Launch Google Ads campaigns geo-targeting high-value neighborhoods using service, design style, and sustainability messaging
• Foster social proof with Before-After Facebook photo ads of stunning transformations
• Create YouTube DIY tutorial videos to build authority ranking for local search
• Write blogs on topics like native plant care or hardscape design trends to attract visitors

Traditional Approaches

• Print full-color postcard mailers showcasing portfolio images to farms, estates, and commercial property managers
• Provide exclusive gardening tips through a weekly radio segment on local NPR affiliate stations
• Sponsor school garden builds or Little League teams to support the community
• Canvas door-to-door in target subdivisions offering free garden tune-ups

Evaluate the assay of both digital and traditional marketing pilots through lead quality, conversion rates, and customer lifetime value before committing full budgets.

14. Focus on the Customer

Providing an incredible client experience is the most powerful acquisition and retention tool for a gardening business. With nearly 8 in 10 consumers prizing quality service over low prices, strategically nurturing each customer relationship must take priority over all other operating concerns.

The intrinsic high-touch nature of landscaping services offers built-in opportunities to wow patrons. Thoughtful gestures like leaving behind modest flower bouquets for them to enjoy or conducting unsolicited periodic garden tune-ups generate immense goodwill.

Following up on custom planting jobs with quick phone calls checking in on plant health signals proactive care. Offering to walk properties after extreme weather to flag any damage or needs further reinforces reliable partnership beyond just order fulfillment.

Over 80% of consumers actively relay poor or excellent service interactions to friends, family, and online communities. This creates exponential downstream effects for gardening referrals.

Obsessively optimizing for customer satisfaction, not just project execution, earns advocates for your landscaping business that actively spark organic growth more effectively than any traditional advertising or digital marketing investments.

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Gardening Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Starting a successful gardening business can seem daunting - from deciding how to price services and market to customers, to understanding the financial and legal aspects of the business. But having the right tools on hand is key to making the process easier. The #1 Gardening Business Plan Template & Guidebook is designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources they need to confidently start and grow a successful gardening business. It contains all the information needed, including sample plans, strategies, step-by-step guidance and timely tips to get you up and running quickly.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Gardening Business [11 Steps]
• 10+ Best & Profitable Gardening Business Ideas [2023]
• 25 Catchy Gardening Business Names:

How to Write a Gardening Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your gardening business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your gardening business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a gardening business:

Our mission for this gardening business plan is to bring joy and satisfaction to our customers through the purchase and installation of high-quality plants and flowers, providing detailed consultation services, and offering customized garden designs. We aspire to create an environment that reflects nature's beauty and diversity, creating a space of tranquility, healing, and relaxation.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Gardening Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your gardening business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your gardening business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your gardening business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your gardening business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a gardening business?

• Gardening tools (such as Clippers, shovels, rakes, etc.)
• Water hose and Sprinklers
• Safety gear (such as Gloves and Safety glasses)
• Business License

5. Management & Organization of Your Gardening Business.

The second part of your gardening business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your gardening business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Gardening Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a gardening business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a gardening business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your gardening business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your gardening business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your gardening business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a gardening business.

A business plan is a critical document for any business, including a gardening business. It outlines the purpose and operations of the business, as well as strategies for future growth. It also helps to set realistic goals and provides a roadmap for how to reach them. Additionally, it can be used to help secure financing and attract potential investors.

Who should you ask for help with your gardening business plan?

You should ask a business consultant, such as a financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer, for help with your gardening business plan. Additionally, you may want to seek out guidance from local resources for small business owners, such as a Small Business Administration office or a local chamber of commerce.

Can you write a gardening business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a gardening business plan yourself. To do so, you should begin by researching the gardening industry, creating a business plan template, setting goals and objectives, outlining a marketing strategy, and developing an operational plan. Additionally, it is important to determine the start-up costs and projections for your business. Finally, you should review your plan and make any necessary revisions before submitting it to potential investors or lenders.

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Gardening Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Gardening Business from Scratch

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on March 18, 2022 Updated on July 7, 2024

Investment range

$3,050 - $8,100

Revenue potential

$80,000 - $400,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$64,000 - $120,000 p.a.

Industry trend

These are the key elements to think about when starting your gardening business:

• Decide on your services — Decide on the range of services you will offer, such as lawn care, landscape design, garden maintenance, plant installation, and seasonal clean-ups. Consider specializing in certain areas, such as organic gardening, xeriscaping, or native plant gardens, to differentiate your business and attract specific customer segments.
• Equipment — Invest in high-quality gardening tools and equipment , such as lawnmowers, trimmers, pruners, shovels, and wheelbarrows. 
• Skills and education — Ensure you have a strong knowledge of plants, soil, pests, and gardening techniques. Consider taking courses or obtaining certifications in horticulture or landscape design .
• Supplies — Stock up on necessary supplies, such as soil, mulch, fertilizers, plants, and seeds. Establish relationships with reliable suppliers for consistent quality and availability.
• Local advertising — Use local advertising methods, such as flyers, newspaper ads, and community events, to increase visibility. Consider partnering with local nurseries or home improvement stores for referrals.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Online presence — Take your business online and create a professional website and use social media platforms to promote your services, share gardening tips, and showcase your work. Get listed on Google Business and Yelp, and encourage positive reviews.

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your gardening business today!

You May Also Wonder:

How profitable is a gardening business?

A gardening business is profitable because your ongoing expenses will be low. You should be able to grow your business by doing great work and getting repeat customers and referrals.

How do I start a local gardening business?

To start a local gardening business, you will need to develop a business plan, obtain any necessary licenses and permits, purchase equipment and supplies, and develop a marketing strategy to attract customers.

What types of gardening services are in high demand?

Some types of gardening services that are in high demand include lawn care and maintenance, landscape design and installation, tree and shrub pruning and removal, pest control, and irrigation system installation and repair. 

What are some ways to differentiate your gardening business from competitors?

To differentiate your gardening business from competitors, you can focus on providing exceptional customer service, offering unique or specialized services, using eco-friendly or sustainable practices, and developing a strong brand identity through effective marketing and advertising.

Can you start a gardening business on the side?

Yes, you can start a gardening business on the side by offering your services on weekends or after work hours. This can be a good way to test the market and gain experience before transitioning to a full-time business. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

To clarify, the type of business this article focuses on provides gardening services to homeowners or businesses, similar to a landscaping or lawn care business. It is not about opening a gardening shop or establishing a gardening design and consultancy firm.  

Starting a gardening business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

• Sunshine! – Work outdoors in the sun
• Flexibility – Run your business from home on your time
• Fulfilling Work – Everybody will enjoy your lovely, natural creations
• Seasonality – Business will likely slow in the winter
• Hard Labor – Gardening can be a back breaker

Gardening industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The US landscaping services industry is worth an impressive $115.6 billion in 2022 and has grown over 4% annually for the last five years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/landscaping-services-united-states/ )) 
• Growth forecast – The US landscaping industry is expected to grow nearly 5% annually through 2026.(( https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-landscaping-market ))
• Number of businesses –  In 2022, 636,249 landscaping businesses are operating in the US.
• Number of people employed – In 2022, the landscaping services industry employs 1,259,990 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/landscaping-services-united-states/ )) 

Trends and challenges

Trends in the gardening industry include:

• In 2019, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) launched an apprenticeship program in collaboration with the US Department of Labor. The goal is to train more workers to fill labor shortages in the landscaping market. 
• Gardening is moving toward a more naturalistic style with less grassy areas and more foliage and garden space.

Challenges in the gardening industry include:

• Labor shortages will be a challenge for gardening businesses that grow large enough to need employees.
• The number of gardening businesses in the US has been increasing exponentially, creating a highly competitive environment. 

Demand hotspots

• Most popular states – The most popular states for gardeners are Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.(( https://www.zippia.com/gardener-jobs/best-states/#arkansas ))
• Least popular states – The least popular states for gardeners are Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama.

What kind of people work in Gardening?

• Gender – 41.9% of gardeners are female, while 53.8% are male.(( https://www.zippia.com/gardener-jobs/demographics/ ))
• Average level of education – The average gardener has a bachelor’s degree.
• Average age – The average gardener in the US is 41 years old.

How much does it cost to start a gardening business?

Startup costs for a gardening business range from $3,000 to $8,000. Costs include gardening tools and equipment and a trailer to transport your equipment. 

You can take courses and gain various certifications from the National Association of Landscape Professionals . The courses are self-paced and costs are $500 to $700. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your gardening business, including: 

• Shovels, trowels, spreaders, rakes
• Edgers, trimmers, tillers

How much can you earn from a gardening business?

The average basic gardening job costs about $1,000. Larger landscaping jobs can cost $5,000 or more. These calculations will assume an average job price of $2,500. Your profit margin after fuel and other costs should be about 80%. 

Keep in mind, if you offer garden design and lay-out as well as planting and maintenance, you could charge significantly more. 

In your first year or two, you could do four jobs per month for 8 months of the year, bringing in $80,000 in annual revenue. This would mean about $64,000 in profit, assuming that 80% margin. As you get repeat customers and referrals, sales could climb 20 jobs per month, 8 months of the year. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 30%. With annual revenue of $400,000, you’d make a tidy profit of more than $120,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a gardening business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• The skills needed to deliver great work
• Standing out in a saturated market

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Unearth the secrets of turning a gardening passion into a successful blog with our interview with Stacy Ling from Bricks ‘n Blooms .

Step into the world of garden entrepreneurship with Alicia Blas ; gain unique insights from her interview on turning a green passion into a thriving business.

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a gardening business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research gardening businesses in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a landscape gardener that plants and maintains vegetable gardens, or a gardening company that uses only organic pest control products. 

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as vegetable gardens or general lawn care services.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your gardening services and maintenance

You’ll need to determine the extent of the services you offer. You could do:

• Bed cleanouts, design, and planting
• Tree planting and maintenance
• Hedge and bush trimming
• Lawn mowing and trimming
• Vegetable garden planting and maintenance
• Flower garden design and installation

How much should you charge for landscaping services?

Your prices will vary based on the extent of the services that you provide. You should estimate the hours that it will take you to do each job and the cost of materials. You should aim for a profit margin of about 80% when you’re working by yourself. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be more well-established homeowners. You can find them on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. Business owners may also have gardening needs, and you can also find them on LinkedIn. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a space for your equipment. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist , Crexi , and Instant Offices .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Gardening Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “gardening” or “gardener”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Garden Oasis” over “Indoor Jungle Design”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Discover over 320 unique gardening business name ideas here. If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our gardening business name generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

Powered by GoDaddy.com

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Gardening Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A brief summary outlining the core elements of the gardening business, highlighting its unique selling points and goals.
• Business Overview: An introduction to the gardening business, covering its mission, vision, and the specific niche or focus within the gardening industry.
• Product and Services: A concise description of the gardening products and services offered, emphasizing their features, benefits, and unique qualities.
• Market Analysis: An examination of the gardening market, including target demographics, trends, and potential growth opportunities in the industry.
• Competitive Analysis: A review of key competitors in the gardening market, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to position the business effectively.
• Sales and Marketing: A strategy outlining how the gardening business plans to promote and sell its products or services, encompassing pricing, distribution, and promotional tactics.
• Management Team: Brief bios of the key members of the gardening business, highlighting their relevant experience and skills.
• Operations Plan: An overview of the day-to-day activities and processes involved in running the gardening business, covering logistics, suppliers, and key operational details.
• Financial Plan: A comprehensive overview of the financial aspects of the gardening business, including projections, budgets, and funding requirements.
• Appendix: Supplementary materials, such as detailed market research, additional financial data, or legal documents, providing additional support and context for the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to gardening businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your gardening business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a gardening business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Gardening Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a gardening business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your gardening business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability : The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property : Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance : Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation : Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property : Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto : Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability : Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) : This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as FieldRoutes , Jobber , or lmn Gro , to manage bids, projects, invoicing, and payments. 

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Professional Branding — Cultivate a brand identity that reflects growth, nature, and professionalism through your logo, business cards, work uniforms, and vehicle graphics.
• Local SEO and Website Optimization — Develop a visually appealing website with a portfolio, testimonials, and use SEO best practices to enhance visibility in local search results for gardening and landscaping services. Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Social Media Engagement — Leverage Instagram and Pinterest for sharing project photos and gardening tips. Use Facebook to engage with the local community and post customer reviews.
• Content Marketing — Publish a gardening blog with posts on seasonal gardening, sustainable practices, and landscape design to establish your expertise. Create how-to videos on gardening techniques and project tours.
• Direct Outreach and Partnerships — Network with local home improvement stores, real estate agents, and community groups to foster referrals and collaborative opportunities.
• Email Marketing — Send regular newsletters with updates on seasonal services, special offers, and gardening advice to maintain customer engagement.
• Gardening Workshops and Seminars — Organize events on home gardening, sustainable landscaping, and DIY garden projects to educate and attract customers.
• Community Engagement — Participate in local home and garden shows, and engage in community projects to enhance your visibility and contribute to local green initiatives.
• Collaborations with Local Businesses — Partner with nurseries, home improvement stores, and eco-friendly businesses for cross-promotion.
• Customer Loyalty Programs — Implement a referral program and offer loyalty discounts to reward and retain customers.
• Targeted Advertising — Utilize local newspapers, community bulletin boards, and digital platforms like Google Ads to reach your target audience effectively.
• Seasonal Promotions — Run promotions tailored to seasonal needs such as spring planting or fall cleanup to attract more business during peak times.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your gardening business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your gardening business could be: 

• Productive vegetable gardens – eat from your own backyard
• Organic gardening services to naturally beautify your yard
• Imagine your dream flower garden — we’ll make it real! 

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a gardening business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in gardening for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in gardening. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a gardening business include:

• Gardeners – assist with gardening jobs
• General Manager – scheduling, staff management, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Gardening Business – Start Making Money!

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up every day to do what you love? Gardening is a beautiful thing that can produce spectacular results. It’s also a great way to make good money. You can start your business from home with a small investment and become part of an industry worth more than $100 billion. 

Now that you’ve dug into the business side of things, get out those shovels and begin your entrepreneurial journey!

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Gardening Business Name
• Create a Gardening Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Gardening Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Gardening Business - Start Making Money!

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