Garden design businesses offer creative control, while gardening franchises provide structured, lower-risk opportunities with established support systems.
Key Points
- ???? Garden design businesses involve creating and executing outdoor landscape plans, typically requiring formal training in horticulture or landscape design.
- ???? Market insights: The U.S. landscape design market was valued at $8.3 billion in 2023, with a 2.6% annual growth rate from 2018 to 2023.
- ???? Popular garden design brands include Yardzen, Troy’s Tropics, and Heritage Landscapes.
- ???? Gardening franchises offer services like lawn care, tree pruning, and pest control under a known brand, often without the need for formal training.
- ???? Lawn care market: The U.S. gardening and lawn care industry was valued at $128.8 billion in 2022, with 72% of households engaging in lawn care.
- ???? Franchise examples: EcoGreen Lawn Care, The Grounds Guys, and Spring-Green Lawn Care offer established systems, starting at franchise fees of $35,000–$40,000.
- ???? Choosing between design vs. franchise: Design businesses offer control and income potential but require training, while franchises provide lower risk and brand support but come with fees and less control.
There are numerous types of gardening-related businesses out there and if you’re starting one, you need to understand the differences. For example, a gardening design business differs from a gardening franchise in several ways. It’s important to get the full picture of each type of business, so you can decide which one is right for you. Let’s take a closer look at these types of businesses.
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What Defines a Garden Design Business?
A garden designer, also known as a landscape designer, specializes in creating designs and layouts for outdoor spaces. Typically, they have formal training in horticulture and/or landscape design. They are skilled at crafting master plans for all types of landscapes, though they may specialize in residential outdoor spaces. A garden designer consults with clients throughout the design process, which involves surveying the site, preparing drawings, and providing direction and supervision during the construction of the garden.
Necessary skills for a garden designer include:
- An in-depth understanding of landscaping materials
- A knowledge of plants and their ideal environments
- Experience in land surveying and design
- Good communication skills
- Good organization and management skills
A Deep Dive into the Garden Design Industry
Here are some insights into the U.S. landscape design industry:
- Market size: The market size of the landscape design industry in the U.S. in 2023 was $8.3 billion.
- Growth potential: The U.S. landscape design industry has grown by an average of 2.6% per year between 2018 and 2023.
- Competition: There are more than 14,045 landscape designers currently employed in the United States.
- Highest demand: Landscape designers are most in demand in Los Angeles, CA.
- Business type: Landscape designers are 87% more likely to work at private companies rather than public companies.
Famous Brands in the U.S. Garden Design Industry
Here are some examples of popular U.S. companies in the landscape design industry:
- Yardzen: Yardzen is an online garden design company that provides custom design packages for front and back yards as well as full outdoor spaces. Packages include a wide range of styles that incorporate lawns, plants, spaces for entertaining, decks, fencing, kid’s areas, and pools.
- Troy’s Tropics: Based in Sarasota, FL, Troy’s Tropics provides full-service landscape and hardscape design to residential outdoor spaces. The company also has its own nursery where you can select the plants and shrubs you would like to add to your landscape.
- Heritage Landscapes: Operating throughout Marin County, CA, Heritage Landscapes provides full hardscaping and landscaping services. They also work with local contractors to fulfill other needs such as pool installation, metalwork, electrical, and plumbing services. The company has been designing outdoor spaces for about 35 years.
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What Defines a Gardening Franchise Opportunity?
A gardening franchise allows you to be your own boss while providing gardening services under the name of an established brand. Usually, formal training is not required to become a franchisee, but having in-depth knowledge of gardening and plant care is often beneficial. However, you do need to have the necessary capital to invest in a gardening franchise.
Gardening franchises usually provide the following services to residential and commercial properties:
- Lawn care and maintenance
- Tree pruning and care
- Planting flowers and shrubs
- Outdoor pest control, management
Some also provide:
- Irrigation installation and maintenance
- Sod and artificial lawn installation
- Pressure washing services
EcoGreen Lawn Care provides
- Multiple Lawn Care Treatment Products & Services
- Proprietary Organic Products
- Organic Mosquito Control
Exploring the Gardening and Lawn Care Industry
Here are some statistical findings from the U.S. gardening and lawn care industry:
- Market size: In 2022 the value of the U.S. gardening and lawn care industry was about $128.8 billion.
- Solid customer base: Around 72% of households in the United States engage in some form of lawn and garden care.
- Demand: On average, U.S. families spend up to $503 each year on garden services.
- Proven growth: Lawn care services alone had an annual growth rate of 3.5% between 2016 and 2021.
- Professional services: Around 40% of Americans hire lawn care professionals.
Popular Brands in the Gardening Franchise Industry
Here are some examples of well-known U.S. companies within the gardening franchise industry:
- EcoGreen Lawn Care: EcoGreen Lawncare provides traditional and organic lawn maintenance solutions as well as other services such as planting, pruning, sod installation, irrigation system installation, and maintenance for residential and commercial spaces. The franchise specializes in sustainable practices utilizing their own products. The initial franchise fee starts at $40,000
- The Grounds Guys: The Grounds Guys have a network of over 260 franchises throughout the U.S. Apart from lawn care, they also provide general landscape and hardscape management, pest and weed control, and seasonal services. The initial franchise fee begins at $35,000.
- Spring-Green Lawn Care: Since 2021, Spring-Green Lawn Care has established about 156 franchises throughout the U.S. The company offers services for residential and commercial properties, including lawn, tree, and landscape care and outdoor pest control. The initial franchise fee starts at $40,000.
Gardening Design Business vs. Gardening Franchise, Pros and Cons
Both types of business have their advantages and challenges. Here is a rundown on the main pros and cons of each:
Gardening Design Business
Pros
- Big demand for commercial and residential design
- Strong income potential
- Control and flexibility
Cons
- Formal training needed
- High competition in the industry
- Challenges of starting a new company
Gardening Franchise
Pros
- Trusted brand with an established customer base
- Full training and support
- Lower risk compared to independent businesses
Cons
- Franchising royalties and other fees
- Limited control
- Franchise rules
Choosing Your Path in the Gardening Industry: Business or Franchise?
As you weigh your options between launching a garden design business or investing in a gardening franchise, consider unique factors such as your qualifications, financial readiness, and location. Remember, at the heart of your choice should be a passion for nurturing nature. If you’re leaning towards a franchise model, where training, support, and a renowned brand are part of the package, consider exploring the EcoGreen Lawn Care franchise opportunity.
FAQs for Garden Design Businesses and Gardening Franchises
- What are the key differences between a garden design business and a gardening franchise? A garden design business focuses on creating custom outdoor spaces and typically requires formal training in horticulture or landscape design. In contrast, a gardening franchise provides services like lawn care, tree pruning, and pest control under a known brand, offering structured support with lower risk, but with franchise fees and limited control.
- Do I need formal training to start a garden design business? Yes, most garden design businesses require formal training in horticulture or landscape design, as the work involves creating complex landscape plans, site surveys, and managing garden construction projects.
- How much can I expect to invest in a gardening franchise? The initial investment for a gardening franchise typically ranges from $35,000 to $40,000, depending on the brand. This covers the franchise fee, and additional costs may include equipment, marketing, and royalties.
- Which gardening franchise brands are popular in the U.S.? Well-known gardening franchises in the U.S. include EcoGreen Lawn Care, The Grounds Guys, and Spring-Green Lawn Care. These brands offer lawn care, landscaping services, and pest control with full support for franchisees.
- What are the pros and cons of starting a garden design business vs. a gardening franchise? A garden design business offers creative control and higher income potential but requires training and faces stiff competition. A gardening franchise provides a lower-risk, support-based structure with brand recognition, but comes with fees and less operational control.
