How to Start a Community Garden

A community garden is an area of land on which members of the community can grow and harvest plants. Today’s community garden businesses rent out small, pre-specified portions of the garden to interested parties. Gardeners can plant flowers, crops, and similar plants. A lot of community gardens are watched by volunteer employees. Many have dedicated members, too. Because a community garden is a “group effort,” they often have in-depth membership criteria while offering a variety of membership options.

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Start a community garden by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Community Garden
  2. Form your Community Garden into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Community Garden for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Community Garden
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Community Garden
  7. Get Community Garden Insurance
  8. Define your Community Garden Brand
  9. Create your Community Garden Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your community garden. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Community Garden Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a community garden?

A community garden’s startup costs are between $3,750 to $7,500. Costs include establishing the garden near a source of water, maintaining city fees, insurance and contractor wages. A large community garden can even cost as much as $30,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for a community garden?

Every community garden needs liability insurance, which can cost between $750 and $2,000 per year. Any plots not maintained by members can be maintained at about $50 to $100 per year. Monthly rent can be between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the lot’s size and location.

Who is the target market?

The best community garden clients are those with a deep understanding of plants, fruits, vegetables, and gardening. While community gardens frequently help customers maintain their growths, improper care can damage the overall garden. Customers should be respectable to the area, have a basic understanding of wildlife, and be trusted with ongoing sanctuary access.

How does a community garden make money?

A community garden thrives on its community members. Typically, they make money through ongoing memberships. These memberships can either be basic or provide ongoing gardening supplies. Additional revenue opportunities exist in gardening shops, seed shops, classes, and similar visitation experiences. Some community gardens have wildlife tours, wherein members can pay a fee to access beehive grounds, bird feeding grounds, and similar areas.

How much can you charge customers?

Community garden customers can be charged between $25 and $50 a year. This price varies depending on their plot size, however. If you want to sell seeds, you can charge between $2 and $15 per packet, depending on the size.

How much profit can a community garden make?

If a community garden is smart about maintaining memberships and selling produce, it can make as much as $50,000 per year in revenue. This number varies from garden to garden, however. If the community garden exists in a highly-populated urban development, rent costs can be higher. Also, expenses vary on a year-to-year basis. Having a sustainable food operation depends on the local economy, as does a lot’s ability to market and retain members.

How can you make your business more profitable?

When possible, give members an incentive to sell their produce. If a community garden can distribute produce for profit, it’ll generate a lot more revenue. Scaling a community garden can be difficult, but food spending power is typically high. Make sure any distributed produce follows a competitive weight selling standard.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your community garden is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your community garden were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

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Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a travel photography business.

Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

  • Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office

Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A community garden business is generally run out of a vacant plot of land. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a community garden location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a community garden business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a community garden location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your community garden business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Community Garden needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Community Garden.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a community garden

You should find volunteers. A community garden’s promotion and marketing surround its membership program. These volunteers should have leaders, and these leaders should promote the community garden in nearby fundraising events, book fairs, school events, and in gardening supply stores.

How to keep customers coming back

You’ll attract customers by creating easy sign-up opportunities. Send emails and brochures to local clubs. If volunteers are arriving, teach them about gardening via workshops. A lot of community garden members are one-time growers. To retain these one-time clients, you’ll need to give them many harvesting opportunities. Tap into existing organizations, reach out to civil groups, school classes, and Scout groups.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Any individual who enjoys gardening, running a garden, planting or harvesting crops is perfect for a community garden. Individuals who live in urban areas, too, are a good fit. Because community gardens can exist in urban or rural areas, those who thrive in crowded areas may find a home in a community garden. A successful community garden owner loves exploring the many variations of seeds, plants, and gardening options. Additionally, community garden owners can become part of The American Community Garden Association.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a community garden?

A community garden owner needs to maintain the community garden’s lot. A lot owner must cultivate healthy growing regions, assisting members with their own plant growths, harvests, and creative gardening processes. On a day-to-day basis, garden owners must maintain educational signage across the garden, rotate crops, prepare for seasonal weather, handle vertical planting, handle composting, and save seeds. Other various jobs include handling bees, birds, and other small animals which can pollinate the area. Of course, administrative jobs like management, financial preparation, and marketing also apply.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful community garden?

Understanding which fruits and vegetables grow together can pay off. The ideal community garden will be arranged and maintained to promote plant synergy. A community garden is an organic establishment, so you’ll need to maintain the premises by taking care of the garden’s individual lots. A successful community garden will also have a lot of growing options, membership options, and seasonal highlights. Too few community gardens offer deals which can capitalize different growing months.

What is the growth potential for a community garden?

If a community garden is one of the area’s only community gardens, it can expect to grow quite a bit in popularity. Because it’s an experience, rather than a product-selling business, community garden ownership will be restricted in terms of scale. It’s possible to become a preferred provider in an area, but owners shouldn’t expect to expand beyond their area. Community gardens are similar to parks. While communities can plant and take their own vegetables and plants, their growth is contingent on constant visitation.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a community garden?

As the garden’s organizer, you’ll need to create a space which is maintainable through small costs. Gardening is hard work, and it costs money to create growing options. Start small, offer a variety of growing options and develop a vision. Hold open meetings about the garden’s goal, and discover your garden’s main growing sections up front. Will you product food? Will you teach members about food? Or, will your garden exclusively offer growing areas for flowers?

How and when to build a team

From the get-go, you’ll need to rely on volunteers to maintain the garden. Fortunately, a community garden can eventually be run by one to three people. Because a lot of a garden’s upkeep is completed by the members, work-side needs can be surprisingly low. That said, you’ll need to have a solid team to maintain the premises during off hours. As your community garden grows, it might be advantageous to hire more workers for seasonal harvesting times.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading