Every year people spend a lot of time taking care of and cultivating their gardens. This holds particularly true for the recent past when the pandemic has forced virtually the whole world into their homes and gardens for most of the year. Many people have decided to use their gardens to generate a bit of extra income.
You too can join their ranks by creating your very own entrepreneurial enterprise, right in your garden. Just be sure to install deer fencing so that the bounty is not eaten by wildlife before you can sell it.
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Conduct market research
Before you start your very own business, it is very important that you conduct your market research beforehand. This holds particularly true for small garden-based businesses. Here you will have to conduct local research and rely on word of mouth to know what’s in and what’s not in the gardening world. Check out other gardening businesses launched by people like you and see what they are selling. Are roses the new fashion or are organically grown fruit and veggies the new trend? You have to see how they differentiate themselves so that you can do the same and don’t end up with a generic ‘me too’ product.
Your first step should be market research – especially local research into the market in the area where you are planning to open your business. Your competition can give you a good idea regarding which niches remain unfulfilled. For example, if your local neighborhood looks like it can do with another fresh flower nursery or even a greenhouse then this is what you might want to do as well.
Create a comprehensive market plan based on the kind of stuff that you can grow in your garden and its lack of availability in the local market. If everyone is growing and selling the same thing, you won’t be able to get a good price on your products. However, if you invest in growing something that everyone wants and no one has, you are good to go.
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Check out your local horticulture regulations
Once you have decided on the product you want to grow, your next step will be to check out the local regulations concerning the kinds of plants that you are allowed to grow. Many cities and areas have their own local regulations, so it would be a good idea to become fully aware of them before you commence operations. Some pretty plants are considered invasive species and pests that are routinely destroyed by the authorities. Other plants come in the narcotics category and as such, their cultivation is subject to certain restrictions.
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Make sure you don’t use banned items
Add to that the fact that certain fertilizers and pesticides are also banned and cannot be used at all. You have to figure all of this out before you start planting the seeds of your business, both literally as well as rhetorically. Are there certain plants that you are not allowed to sell? Some very beautiful plants are considered ‘invasive’ or ‘pest’ species and may not be permitted where you live.
Once your garden and/or greenhouse are ready, you will have to decide what you intend to grow. It would be a good idea to keep track of seasonal produce so you never run out of things to plant. Of course, greenhouses can do the needful irrespective of season, but seasonal stuff sells fast because it is there for a short period of time.
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Invest in heirloom plants and other exotics
While such plants are not easy to grow and rarely ever involve multiple repeat customers, their initial price tag is usually good enough to justify the investment. Many people would like to purchase such plants due to their collectors’ value. You can take advantage of that and make a good profit this way
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Try and get into the cannabis business
The cannabis business is pretty brisk these days since the industry has been recently de-regularized. You will almost certainly need a greenhouse, grow lights, and a good supply of seeds and other materials to take advantage of cannabis investment opportunities. Additionally, you can get cannabis consulting from many firms nowadays which will guide you through this process and show you the way.
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Conclusion
Making money from your garden is a great way to get plenty of exercises while accumulating a healthy profit. So what are you waiting for?
