Whilst online forums are a great resource for researching how and when to start a business, it is always the safest route to get professional help from an accountant and a lawyer because no two business or people are exactly the same or will be working the same way so they can evaluate YOU and advise on a structure that suits you and you only.
Avoid family and friends helping with the books
One word of caution: Bookkeeping and accounts can seem like a daunting task when you're new to business so it is easy let someone else take over when it should be you who is in control.
I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule but I'm speaking from first hand experience here: I used the services of a friend many years ago and my accounts got into a pickle and it cost me a lot of money - as well as a back payment in unpaid tax - to put right.
I eventually found a reputable accountancy company to conduct my affairs (we carried out our own bookkeeping using Sage accounting) and slept a lot sounder from then on.
Here are some useful resources to help with the mechanics of starting a business.
Inland Revenue
Starting in business
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm
A guide to working for yourself
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/se1.pdf
Business Link
Setting up and registering as self employed
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.s=tl&r.l1=1073858805&r.lc=en&r.l2=1085161962&topicId=1073875654
VAT
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073859188
Business idea and evaluation - asking yourself some tough questions
Business plan - how to plan a business plan
Determining your market and finding customers - finding your rightful place on the ladder
Advertising your garden business Registering a garden business
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