How to start a landscape business?

Adan Alipio: I am not raining on anyone's parade here...but here are the nasty facts.1) You need to be a damned good designer with plants, have a very good working knowledge of what kind of plant does what, where, and how...how big a plant will grow, can a plant be "tamed" without killing it, etc.2) you will need serious equipment if part of your business will handle trees (and it will)...drills for ground, hole diggers, etc. for larger trees, and serious truck(s) to handle large potted trees. Eventually, you will need a "root ball" cutter machine hooked to one of these trucks. (translation...MONEY!)3) a very strong back, organization skills, and above all else, a very good sales technique, for without selling yourself and your service, all the money and equipment in the world will do nothing. 4) Start small and work up over a period of time. Get know locally as the guy who knows it all, does it all....etc. (You can rent much of this equipment once you know how to use it)! .. 5) You need a serious knowledge of drawing landscaping in both 2D and 3D...so practice, practice, etc. Learn perspecive drawing, etc. and YES, you can do all of this. Believe it or not, many colleges/universities have degrees in this...check it out....Show more

Sonya Volcko: Get this book. 'How To Start A Homebased Landscape Business' by Owen Dell. http://books.google.com/books?id=ql6OtLlcf5UC&prin...It's a great place to start with almost any home based business.

Tosha Tawney: apply at a local landscaping company.make sure you dont require any skills. and they will teach you as you go.start working as a Labourer.you will learn a lot just from one season!take Horticulture in College....Show more

Jen Maday: should a person hiring a landscaper make sure that they are licensed, bonded and certified?

Lanita Reichman: Check with a local junior college or the agri-life service in your area, They have a Master Gardenerprogram program course. You may fi! nd a college course in landscaping and maintenance.People that! do this work make a lot of money.

Cassey Hollinghurst: Start with "landscape MAINTENANCE," not "landscape." Most areas just require a business license, but check to be sure. Later, you can progress to becoming a landscape contractor.Landscape maintenance involves mowing lawns, trimming shrubs, ect. However, you won't be normally working with ponds or water features.You can learn about it by reading and by doing. Your local nurseries, garden stores and equipment suppliers will be your friends who can also advise you....Show more