How to Start a Small Greenhouse Business

Planning

• 1

  Visit city hall to find out what licenses and permits you need before starting your business. Discuss the zoning laws for installing a greenhouse on your property, as well as for traffic flow if customers need to park in the area. Ask what types of signage will be allowed, and register your business name. Find out if there is a specific type of insurance that you will be required to have in order to run your business.

• 2

  Write a business plan. SBA.gov has resources to help with this, as well as business start-up training that will be helpful before you begin. Create a plan to give a framework to your business, even if it is not extensive. Decide what marketing strategies you will employ to begin with, and do market research to see who your customer base will be and what it might expect from you.

• 3

  Visit your insurance company with questions about what you need for your business. Ask if they are willing to add business insurance onto your homeowner's policy at a discounted rate. Compare rates from more than one insurer, too.

• 4

  Talk with an accountant. Find out if you need to employ her services, or if you can handle most of the financial records on your own. Ask her to help you set up a basic accounting and financial records system so that you only have to visit her at tax time.

Setting Up

• 5

  Purchase the greenhouse, or the materials to build one. Erect it according to zoning laws and in an easily accessible location. Create a dirt or paved parking lot if needed or desired. Site this as close to the greenhouse as possible.

• 6

  Purchase all of the necessary materials needed to start your business, such as seeds, pots and soil. Take into consideration that organically grown seedlings and plants are becoming ever-more popular. Look into heirloom seeds for an old-fashioned variety of seeds.

• 7

  Plant the seeds according to individual plant recommendations in planting trays with multiple compartments, and keep them watered. Begin selling them after the seedlings have sprouted and they have strong stems. Transplant the strongest seedlings into their own planters as they begin to outgrow the trays.