20 Business Ideas For Gardeners [2024]
If you have a passion for gardening and a knack for business, 2024 offers numerous opportunities to turn your green thumb into profit. Whether you enjoy growing flowers, vegetables, or herbs, there are various paths to monetize your skills. This article outlines practical business ideas that could help you cultivate a thriving enterprise.
You could explore options ranging from starting a small-scale nursery to offering garden consulting services. If you're creative, making and selling garden crafts might appeal to you. Each idea in this article is designed to align with your horticultural interests and entrepreneurial spirit.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other gardener businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog as a gardener presents a unique opportunity to transform your passion for plants into a profitable online venture. By sharing your gardening expertise, tips, and experiences, you could attract a dedicated audience eager to learn from your green thumb. From how-to guides on seasonal planting to reviews of the latest gardening tools, your blog could provide valuable content that resonates with fellow gardening enthusiasts while supplementing your income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links. For more on making money with a niche blog, check out this article.
Why start a niche blog?
- You could share your gardening knowledge and connect with a passionate online community.
- You could monetize your expertise through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.
- You could position yourself as an authority in the gardening niche, opening up opportunities for brand collaborations and speaking engagements.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
2. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be an exciting opportunity for a gardener to supplement their income or even create a full-fledged business. By curating and delivering monthly collections of garden-related items such as seeds, tools, and DIY kits, you could tap into the growing market of gardening enthusiasts who appreciate convenience and novelty. Your expertise allows you to provide high-quality, niche products that customers would eagerly anticipate each month.
For more insights and success stories, check out this page.
Why consider a subscription box business?
- Subscription boxes offer recurring revenue streams, bringing a steady cash flow to support your gardening endeavors.
- Your gardening knowledge ensures you can offer valuable, unique products that stand out in the market, fostering loyal customer relationships.
- The subscription box model allows you to scale your business easily without needing a massive upfront investment.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
3. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Are you passionate about gardening and looking to supplement your income or start a side business? Creating and selling online courses could be a perfect fit for you. By sharing your gardening knowledge, you could tap into the booming e-learning market, which is expected to reach over $645 billion in the next few years. Your expertise can help others develop their green thumbs, and you can generate passive income through your classes.
Why start an online course sales business?
- The e-learning market is thriving. Given its predicted growth, now is a great time to enter the market.
- Gardening is a skill many people want to learn. You could reach a wide audience eager to grow their own gardens.
- Once created, courses can provide ongoing income. Your initial effort can pay off continuously as new students enroll.
For more information on starting an online course sales business, you could check out this page within Starter Story.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
4. Start a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
Launching a dropshipping business could be a perfect side hustle for a gardener looking to supplement their income. With no need to manage inventory, you could sell garden-related products, such as tools, seeds, and decorative items, directly from your online store. Utilizing platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, you would only need to focus on marketing and customer service, while suppliers handle shipping.
Why start a dropshipping business?
- Minimal upfront investment: You could start without the high costs associated with buying inventory.
- Flexibility in product offerings: Easily test and swap out different garden-related products based on customer demand.
- Focus on passion: Spend more time gardening and less time managing logistics or storage space.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
5. Start a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Turning your love for gardening into additional income might be as simple as starting a YouTube channel. By creating engaging video content, you could share your gardening knowledge and passion with a larger audience. Not only could you provide how-to guides, tips, and garden tours, but you also have opportunities to monetize through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise.
Starting a YouTube channel does require some effort and consistency. You'll need to plan your content, shoot and edit videos, and interact with your audience. However, the potential rewards, both personal and financial, can make it a fulfilling venture.
For further inspiration and ideas, check out this guide on starting a YouTube channel.
Why consider a YouTube channel?
- You could monetize your expertise. Earn through ads, sponsorships, and selling branded gardening merchandise.
- You could reach a wider audience. Sharing your passion online could attract a global following.
- You could diversify your income streams. A YouTube channel offers various ways to earn, supplementing your primary gardening business.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
6. Start an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a gardener, starting an email marketing tool could provide you with the opportunity to supplement your income and grow your side business. Not only can you reach a broader audience with your gardening tips, product sales, and workshops, but you can also build a community of loyal subscribers who value your expertise. Given that the email marketing industry is expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, this venture could tap into a lucrative and expanding market. For more insights on starting an email marketing tool, check out various success stories.
Why consider starting an email marketing tool?
- You could automate your promotions and tasks, saving time to focus more on your gardening work.
- There’s potential to create a new revenue stream by selling email marketing services or subscriptions to other gardening enthusiasts.
- Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to generate leads and increase sales, ensuring your gardening business thrives.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
7. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
Starting a niche website as a gardener offers you an exciting way to share your expertise, connect with a dedicated community, and generate additional income. By focusing on specific gardening topics you're passionate about, you could create valuable content that attracts an audience interested in what you have to say. Whether it's organic gardening techniques, urban gardening tips, or seasonal planting guides, you can turn your love for gardening into a profit-generating online venture.
Monetization options are plentiful—you could earn through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or even selling downloadable garden plans and eBooks. Over time, your niche website could become a reliable source of passive income that complements or even replaces your existing gardening gig. Consider this creative and fulfilling route as your next entrepreneurial pursuit find inspiration.
Why start a niche website?
- You can turn your gardening knowledge into a valuable resource for others.
- You have the potential to generate passive income through targeted ads and affiliate links.
- Starting a niche website allows you to expand your influence and build a community around your passion.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
8. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business can be an excellent way for gardeners to supplement their income or even create a full-time business. By promoting gardening-related products and services through affiliate partnerships, you could earn commissions on sales made through your referrals. This approach allows you to monetize your gardening knowledge and passion without having to manage inventory or handle logistics.
If you choose to explore this path, you might consider partnering with eCommerce stores specializing in gardening supplies or working with manufacturers of garden equipment. You can create content such as blog posts, videos, or social media posts to promote these products, providing valuable information to fellow gardening enthusiasts while earning a passive income.
For additional information on profitability and tips, you may find this page helpful.
Why starting an affiliate marketing business?
- It provides a stream of passive income with minimal ongoing effort.
- You can monetize your gardening expertise by promoting products you already know and trust.
- There's no need to manage physical inventory or deal with shipping logistics.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
9. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Developing a mobile app is a fantastic way for gardeners to supplement their income or even start a new business. By creating a mobile app tailored to gardening, you could offer a variety of services, such as personalized gardening tips, plant care schedules, or a platform for customers to book gardening services. Mobile apps have become indispensable in daily life, and gardeners can leverage this trend to reach a broader audience and generate additional revenue.
By starting a mobile app, you could modernize your services, make gardening more accessible, and provide value to a tech-savvy customer base. With dedication and the right strategy, your gardening app could gain significant traction. For more insights on starting a mobile app business, you can check out the successful stories here.
Why create a mobile app?
- You could reach a broader audience, including younger, tech-oriented customers.
- An app offers a platform for delivering personalized gardening advice and services directly to users' devices.
- It enables you to diversify your income streams by offering premium features or in-app purchases.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
10. Become a corporate photographer ($23.4K/month)
While it might seem unconventional, starting a corporate photography business as a gardener offers a unique opportunity to diversify your revenue streams. With your keen eye for detail and nature's aesthetics, you could effectively capture corporate events, marketing materials, and website images, bringing a distinct fresh perspective that appeals to businesses. By leveraging your existing skills in visual storytelling from garden design, you could position yourself uniquely in the corporate photography market.
Why consider starting a corporate photography business?
- Blend creativity with business savvy: Your experience in creating visually appealing garden landscapes can translate into capturing compelling images for companies.
- Flexible business model: The off-peak seasons in gardening provide an excellent window to focus on photography, balancing both ventures.
- Networking opportunities: Working with corporate clients expands your professional network, potentially leading to more opportunities in both gardening and photography.
For further insights and tips on starting a corporate photography business, check out these success stories from corporate photographers.
How much you can make: $8,300 — $50,001/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 100 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of an Indian first-generation entrepreneur who built Studio 31, a profitable and award-winning wedding photography and film company capturing over 350 weddings annually, with a unique focus on customer experience and organic marketing, serving more than 90% NRI clients and generating an annual revenue of about a million dollars.
11. Start an aerobics business
For gardeners looking to diversify their income, starting an aerobics business could be a fantastic opportunity. Aerobics and gardening both emphasize physical activity, making it a natural transition from nurturing plants to nurturing fitness. By leveraging your existing network and love for the outdoors, you could conduct aerobics sessions in your garden or community green spaces, combining your passion for nature with a growing interest in well-being.
Why start an aerobics business?
- You could make use of your existing outdoor spaces for exercise classes, saving on costs for renting a gym.
- Offering aerobics classes can attract a new clientele interested in health and fitness, expanding your business horizon.
- You get to combine your love for nature with fitness, providing a unique and appealing experience for your clients.
For more details on how to start an aerobics business, check out this article on Starter Story.
12. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a gardener, you could branch out into the digital world by starting a social media automation business. This enterprise would involve creating tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data across various social media platforms. Clients ranging from small businesses to influencers would pay you to enhance their social media presence, leading to consistent engagement and growth with minimal manual effort.
Imagine managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving client engagement from your garden office. With the increasing need for strategic social media engagement, there's significant demand for automation solutions like this. It’s an excellent opportunity to leverage your tech and marketing skills while supplementing your gardening income.
Why starting a social media automation business?
- You'll tap into the growing need for efficient social media management.
- Your tech-savvy skills will help businesses and influencers save valuable time.
- This business can be managed remotely, allowing you to balance your gardening passion with entrepreneurial pursuits.
For more insights, check out this page on social media automation business tips.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
13. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
Integrating AI-based business solutions into your gardening enterprise could be a game-changer by optimizing various aspects of your business processes. Leveraging artificial intelligence tools, you might streamline customer service, manage inventory more effectively, and gain insights into customer preferences. Importantly, AI can automate repetitive tasks and even predict gardening trends, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional services.
Many AI platform providers offer user-friendly interfaces and robust support, so you don’t necessarily need a tech background to get started. As the demand for AI solutions skyrockets, seizing this opportunity could enhance your business efficiency and give you a competitive edge in the market. For more detailed information on starting an AI-based business, you can explore this guide.
Why starting an AI-based business solution?
- AI can automate mundane tasks, freeing up your time to focus on more important activities.
- Implementing AI can provide actionable insights to improve customer satisfaction and retention.
- The growing demand for AI tools indicates a promising market with opportunities for innovation and expansion.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
14. Build a medical app
Creating a medical app might seem like an unusual venture for a gardener, but it's a lucrative opportunity to diversify income streams and tap into a booming market. The medical apps market is expected to reach $314.60B in 2028, indicating significant growth potential. With the right team or resources, you could create an app that addresses common healthcare needs, streamlining information sharing and reducing paperwork inefficiencies in the medical field.
Why create a medical app?
- The medical apps market offers high growth potential, allowing you to capitalize on a $314.60B industry by 2028.
- Diversifying into tech can provide a stable, ongoing revenue stream, supplementing seasonal gardening income.
- Partnering with developers or experts could mitigate the learning curve, making the venture accessible even without coding experience.
How much you can make: $100,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Conduct Science founder Shuhan He co-founded Qolty, a digital health software that tracks health and patient symptoms and provides electronic surveys for patients with geofencing capabilities installed on a patient's phone, used by practitioners at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and shows promise with a 50% year-on-year growth target.
15. Start a niche investment platform ($167K/month)
Starting a niche investment platform could be a lucrative side business or full-time endeavor for a gardener looking to supplement income. By leveraging modern technology, you could create a transparent trading ecosystem that caters to a specialized investor base, such as those interested in alternative asset classes like fine wine or real estate. This unique platform could provide you with recurring revenue through transaction fees and premium subscriptions, making it a sustainable and profitable venture even amid volatile stock markets. For more details, you can check out some success stories here.
Why start a niche investment platform?
- It allows you to cater to specialized investors, creating a unique user base.
- You could generate recurring revenue through transaction fees and premium subscriptions.
- As a gardener, you could diversify your income sources and tap into a growing market for alternative assets.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
16. Start a headboard art business
Starting a headboard art business could be a lucrative and creative venture for gardeners looking to diversify their income. As a gardener, you already possess a keen eye for beauty and detail, skills that translate well into designing and creating unique headboard art. This niche market allows you to utilize your artistic abilities by incorporating nature-inspired themes and designs into your headboards, making your products stand out in a competitive market.
Taking advantage of the growing trend of personalized and artistically designed headboards, you can capture an audience who values unique, handcrafted home decor. For more insights on starting a headboard art business, you can visit the startup costs page on Starter Story.
Why start a headboard art business?
- You could leverage your existing creativity and design skills to create unique, nature-themed headboards.
- It opens up a new revenue stream while allowing you to express your artistic side.
- This business can be run as a side hustle, gradually scaling up as you gain more customers and recognition.
17. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
Starting a print-on-demand business could be a great way to supplement your income as a gardener. By designing products with botanical themes, such as shirts, mugs, and phone cases featuring plant illustrations or garden-related quotes, you have the opportunity to reach a broad audience. Utilizing dropshipping platforms means you handle none of the inventory, allowing you to focus on your gardening business while still monetizing your creativity.
Why start a print-on-demand business?
- It requires minimal startup costs, making it an accessible option for any gardener looking to diversify their income.
- You can reach a global audience by selling through online marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon.
- You’ll combine your passion for gardening with creative design, potentially leading to a fulfilling and profitable side business.
For more insights, visit Starter Story's section on print-on-demand businesses.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
18. Start a baskin-robbins franchise business
If you're a gardener looking to diversify your income or start a side business, consider opening a Baskin-Robbins franchise. Owning a franchise allows you to benefit from an established brand while potentially attracting a new customer base diverse from your gardening clientele. Plus, it offers a stable, year-round revenue stream that gardening, often seasonal, may not provide.
Exploring a Baskin-Robbins franchise could also open doors to additional revenue through catering events and community partnerships, which might complement your gardening services. This can create cross-promotional opportunities, where customers of one business are introduced to the other, enhancing overall clientele and profitability.
Why consider a Baskin-Robbins franchise business?
- Diversify your income streams beyond seasonal gardening work.
- Utilize established brand recognition to attract customers quickly.
- Create cross-promotional opportunities with your gardening business, boosting client connections and loyalty.
For more information about the costs and considerations, check out startup costs of a Baskin-Robbins franchise business.
19. Start a cereals selling business
Starting a cereals selling business makes sense for gardeners because it allows you to leverage your existing agricultural skills and knowledge. By incorporating cereals into your product lineup, you could diversify your income and ensure a steady cash flow throughout the year. Additionally, you could either grow the cereals yourself or take advantage of market fluctuations by buying and storing cereals until prices are favorable.
For more information on getting started, check out the startup costs associated with a cereals selling business.
Why starting a cereals selling business?
- You could diversify your garden's output, making your business more resilient to market and seasonal changes.
- Selling cereals could offer high profit margins, especially when you can control the entire process from cultivation to sales.
- Leveraging your existing farming infrastructure means lower initial investment and quicker setup for your new venture.
20. Start a SEO website ($101K/month)
Starting an SEO website as a gardener could be a smart way to supplement your income or even create a full-time business. By creating valuable gardening content optimized for search engines, you could attract a steady stream of organic traffic and monetize it through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling your own gardening products and services. This approach allows you to scale your efforts, turning your passion for gardening into a lucrative online venture.
For more insights and success stories on starting an SEO website, check out some examples on Starter Story.
Why consider starting an SEO website?
- An SEO website is cost-effective marketing that draws organic traffic, reducing your advertising expenses.
- You could build a long-term, sustainable business as search engines become increasingly crucial for online discovery.
- With your gardening expertise, you could create highly engaging and valuable content, setting yourself apart in a niche market.
How much you can make: $3,500 — $390,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $480 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
Digital Position, a digital marketing agency, was founded by Roger Parent, who was unhappy being underpaid at his job; the company is now generating over $330k/month in revenue, and aims to generate $5m in 2022, with a long-term goal of hitting $30m before Parent is 40.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.