Startup cost
$25k–$250k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a General Gardener Business
Decision Snapshot
General Gardener
Idea Score
60
Profit margin
29%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Very high
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start a General Gardener business - Background
A gardener will provide general lawn services such as mowing, weeding, and flower planting. They may rake leaves during the fall or provide soil treatment, shoveling, or other types of lawn care during the winter.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a General Gardener business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a general gardener business?
Most people can get started with little more than a lawnmower and some general gardening tools. Those with more state-of-the-art equipment may be able to attract higher end clients, but it’s by no means a requirement to invest in the most expensive gear on the market.
What are the ongoing expenses for a general gardener business?
Ongoing expenses include equipment replacement and maintenance, transportation costs, and commercial insurance. If you hit a water main or cut a cable line while gardening, you can potentially incur hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair costs. Commercial insurance will cover all or part of these costs so you don’t have to pay for them out of pocket.
Who is the target market?
The target market is typically middle- to upper-class homeowners and commercial property owners of all kinds. Gardeners are looking for people who don’t want the responsibility of maintaining a lawn, but who still want to make their property presentable for themselves and visitors alike.
How does a general gardener business make money?
Gardeners make money by charging for their services. When setting their prices, they need to take into account the cost of the equipment, the time spent on transportation, and how long it takes to perform each task.
How much can you charge customers?
Top gardeners can charge up to $30 dollars an hour, though most will stick to around $15 – $20 an hour. Check the rates in your area before setting your prices.
How much profit can a general gardener business make?
Gardeners typically have varying profit margins based on their territory, the number of hours they work, and the type of equipment they use. However, it’s not unusual to see high profit margins in this industry. If you charge $22 an hour and work 40 hours a week at 80% profit, you’ll make around $700 a week.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Gardening can be a good way to break into landscaping, where top landscapers can charge up to $150/hr for their services. You may also want to teach community classes where people can learn more about how to get the most from their soil.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a general gardener business?
Gardeners will travel around to different locations, helping clients with a number of different tasks. Gardeners aren’t typically asked to design the layout of a property, but they may need to confer with clients on a regular basis about which jobs need to take priority. Gardeners will also need to invoice clients and advertise their services.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful general gardener business?
Owners should have some experience and background in botany. Gardening can be a deceptively complex business, so it helps to have a jack-of-all-trades mentality. Gardeners should also be friendly and effective communicators.
What is the growth potential for a general gardener business?
Annual revenue in the home and garden industry continues to rise year after year, so it’s clear people value this service. Plus, it’s not a job that can be outsourced to people overseas, making it one of the more practical professions a business owner can tackle.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a general gardener business?
Gardening can be a very versatile position to have, so owners need a solid business model before getting started. Some gardeners will simply mow lawns and apply weed killer to overgrowth. Others will provide light landscaping advice or lawn planning tips. It all depends on the services required in your neighborhood.
Many gardeners will get started on a part-time basis only, testing the waters to learn more about what clients really need. It may be difficult for a sole proprietor to be hired by a commercial property owner, but smaller commercial businesses may need basic upkeep at a reasonable price. Warmer areas in the US are saturated with gardeners because they need year-round care. This drives the price down for services but also increases demand for gardeners across all demographics.
Gardeners should look for ways to keep clients during the winter, even in the snowiest areas. In addition to offering shoveling services to help maintain the safety and accessibility of a property, gardeners may be able to plant flowers such as holly to keep lawns attractive and colorful during a depressing season.
No matter what type of gardener you choose to be, you need to be proactive whenever possible. Telling clients about potential property hazards will help you earn their trust and may convince them to hire you for additional services. For example, if the roots of a tree look as though they may interfere with a client’s plumbing, or if one of their trees is dangerously close to tipping over in strong winds, you may be able to address these issue yourself or recommend a trusted business that can. Either way, it can fortify your relationship with the client and keep them coming back.
The most successful gardeners never stop learning about what they do. Take classes, experiment with your own plants, and read up on the trends in your industry. Even if your current clients need nothing more than law mowing, expanding your education and experience will help your business grown down the road.
How and when to build a team
Gardeners typically only hire a team when they’ve outgrown their workload. You may want to consider hiring an assistant or two at first to get a sense of their skills and work ethic before hiring a team who will go out to clients on their own.
Part 2 - Is a General Gardener business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your General Gardener business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your General Gardener Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your General Gardener business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.