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Hi Steve,
Best advice I can give is just get out there and start with whatever you've got available. I started with a hatchback and the contents of my garden shed then bought better equipment, a van and then a trailer as I went along and could see what sort of work there was demand for. I advertised for the first two years by putting ads in shop windows and leaving cards anywhere that would let me. I gave up doing any paid ads after two years as I had as much work as I could handle.
I wouldn't worry about organic gardening, none of my customers have ever mentioned it.
I started out charging an hourly rate but gradually changed to doing work on a price as it is more profitable once you are confident about pricing. You do need to mark up materials but if you can get a discount from local suppliers you can charge the customer what they would have had to pay without the discount.
As far as reading/advice goes, no need to look further than Landscape Juice for most advice and the RHS website for horticultural info.
Good luck,
Geoff
When I started I had a pickup Land Rover which promptly died on me and I spent a few months using the back of my car, use what you have and move onwards when you can. I made a website straight away and a Facebook page which got me a few jobs straight away and then other people saw me working and enquired. I also printed some nice postcards which I scattered around.
So you're based in west sussex, a good place to promote 'Organic Gardening' many people are interested in this especially younger people.
see here from GardenOrganic site, an open gardens in August not too far from you, http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/open-gardens-yvonne-and-stev...
an ideal opportunity to go and meet like-minded people and ASK questions
Advertising, start with shop windows, church magazines, village noticeboards
Get website going, personally we use twitter, find it easier to connect with people
Ana when you get a van, van signage
The vehicle you choose depends on what you're doing, what tools you need to carry & waste removal
To Geoffrey Jon and Geoff thank you for your helpful advise.
It is hard to find information when it comes to setting up. So this is great!
Kind regards
Steve