How to Start a Gardening Business in Street

Starting a gardening business in Street? There's no blanket licence standing in your way, but a few specific jobs -- waste removal, chainsaw work, pesticides -- carry their own rules across Somerset.

What the rules say

There's no blanket licence for being a gardener. The real rules sit around specific tasks: carrying away a client's garden waste yourself likely triggers waste carrier registration with your relevant national agency, while chainsaw/tree work and pesticide application each require their own certification. Public liability insurance isn't legally required for a sole trader, but most clients expect it regardless.

Quick answers

How do I find my first gardening clients in Street?

Many new gardeners in Street start with a handful of regular maintenance rounds built through local referrals and a simple online presence. The Gardening Business Launch Kit covers how to structure and grow a round from scratch.

Do I need insurance to start a gardening business in Street?

Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement as a sole trader, but it's widely expected by clients across Street and Somerset. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you take on any staff.

Do I need a chainsaw licence to work in Street?

There's no single government licence for chainsaw use, but adequate training is a legal duty under PUWER 1998, whether you're working in Street or anywhere else. A recognised competence certificate (commonly NPTC or Lantra Awards) is the standard way to evidence this.

Can I use pesticides as a gardener in Street?

Applying certain pesticides commercially requires specific certification, regardless of whether you're working in Street or elsewhere in the UK. Many gardeners choose to avoid this route entirely and focus on cultural/mechanical methods instead.