I want to turn my gardening hobby into a business, how do I start?

What sort of business?

Welcome to the site.

First check to see if you live in a zone where business is allowed. Second check with your insurance company to see if you will be covered when people come onto your property.

Others will be along soon with more information.

thanks for the response its my first day at this site. I was thinking of selling ornamental plants to begin with like succulents/cacti etc and slowly diversify into other stuff. Does it help to take up some short term courses and if so where are they offered? For now all that grows is out of love for gardening.

A lot goes into running your own business so you might want to check local Schools and Universities to see if non-degree Business Courses are offered. Your city, county, state might require you to have a business license, so check with the proper authorities as to the requirements needed. You will also have to consider income tax laws regarding a home business as well as business insurance.

Can you post some photos of the plants you are growing?

thanks you for your advice I lost my jobs as our company closed down this March, I want to use this opportunity to do something I am good at and interested in. I get lots of complements from friends & coworkers for my creativity and presentations of plants, but to take this at a business level requires marketing skills. I will try to get some experience working free/trainee for a local nursery for sometime . If any of u guys have a nursery business or know some one let me know no kidding!

check if this works having problem with this picture file. if not will try some other way

check this pictures, for now its hobby and share with friends/fmly

If your business is on line, either through your own website or someplace like Etsy or Ebay, you won't have to worry about people tramping to your house. There are a lot of rules and dangers involved in running a business out of your home where people come to your home. Even on line, many states require you collect sales tax. If you call your business something besides your own name, you may need a DBA.

It would be to your advantage to find some courses at the Community College about running your own business. Its a steep learning curve.

thanks for ur tips and suggestions

Ebay is pretty cool. I sell quite a few plants there plus other stuff. You can make your business as big or little as you like. Etsy also allows plant sales though I've barely tipped my toe in there.
If you want to start a nursery locally 'So You Want to Start a Nursery' is probably the book for you. Tony Avent of Plant Delights give you all the ins and outs, pros and cons:

http://www.timberpress.com/boo...

Might be able to find it cheap at Amazon.

I started my own plant business many years ago. It is not easy and often requires significant cash outlay up front to get started. There are also many business considerations that are not plant related - insurance, taxes, environmental regulations, business registrations, incorporation, etc. All are important to the success of any business.

In any plant business, there is no substitute for hands-on experience. Academic courses can be very helpful, but learning-by-doing is essential.

I strongly recommend that you first find employment working for a plant retailer or landscaping company so you see and experience from the inside just what is involved. I think you will be surprised and possibly discouraged when you learn what is involved. By working for an existing company, you will not only learn but you will not have to lay out money in advance and can actually start earning money right away. Spring is a time when many plant businesses are looking for part and full-time help, so now is a good time to look for a green industry job.

I have a blog post on this site that is about the interior landscaping industry that may be of interest to you.

https://garden.org/blogs/entry...

Lot of great ideas from u guys I love it thanks for ur valuable time to inspire and guide me.