Q: I would love to start up my own little business in horticulture or gardening. Where can I get the best possible training?
Listen to this item
Elizabeth from Doncaster asks:
I would love to start up my own little business in horticulture and/or gardening. Where can I get the best possible training?
Dick Stroud replies:
It is not clear if the training you require is about horticulture/gardening or how to establish a small business. I will give you some advice about the latter.
Firstly, there seems to be a great deal of advice available on the Web. From a few minutes searching I found a site that was packed with information called start a gardening business.
There looks to be an excellent book called : ‘Starting Your Own Gardening Business: An Insider Guide to setting yourself up as a professional gardener.’ This is available from Amazon for under £4.00.
I would suggest that you look at the resources available from your local Business Link. You can find these by going to www.businesslink.gov.uk and putting in your postcode. The national Business Link site contains lots of advice guides about all types of start-up business issues. Look at them here.
I am sure you will also find there will be courses run at your local colleges about starting a business. The man who does my gardening has more work that he can handle so there is undoubtedly a demand for gardening services!
Good luck.
Dick Stroud founded and expanded his own marketing consultancy company 20plus30, focusing on 50-Plus consumers. His latest book is The 50-Plus Market.
Robert Ashton replies:
Contact your local agricultural college and ask their advice. Also consider working part time for someone already in the business you’re planning and then learning from them.
Robert Ashton is a popular business speaker and runs ‘Business Boot Camps’ for entrepreneurs seeking growth.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not held by PRIME unless specifically stated. The material is for general information only and does not constitute legal, accounting, tax or other personalised advice. You should not rely on this information to make (or refrain from making) any decisions. It is not a substitute for independent, professional advice for your own particular situation.
About Ask the Experts
PRIME has assembled a team of business experts who have generously volunteered to answer your questions for free. You can read more about them here, or Ask your own question.
Print this item