Essential Steps for Launching a Small Green Business From Your Backyard

It probably started with a side project. A few potted herbs. Homemade candles. Maybe neighbors started asking, “Do you sell this?” And then it clicked – maybe you could.

Starting a green business from your own backyard isn’t some far-off fantasy. It’s increasingly common, especially in a world that’s slowly waking up to sustainability. And it’s not just about being eco-conscious – it’s about reconnecting with the work you do and the people it impacts.

That said, it’s still a business. You’ll need some structure. A little patience. A lot of flexibility. And maybe a bit of duct tape (depending on your shed situation).

Here are eight essential steps to help you get started, from the seed of an idea to something you can actually sell.

Step 1: Pick a Green Business That Makes Sense for Your Space (and Life)

Before you go naming things or printing compostable labels, get specific. What are you actually offering – and can it work in your backyard, realistically?

Some common (and proven) backyard-based green businesses include:

•  Growing and selling herbs, vegetables, or microgreens
•  Creating natural body products like soap, balms, or scrubs
•  Building and selling planters from reclaimed wood
•  Offering composting or worm bin services to neighbors
•  Selling native plants or running a backyard nursery

The key is to start small – one product, one service, something that can grow naturally. Trying to launch five things at once is a fast road to burnout.

Step 2. Give It a Name You Don’t Hate (This Matters More Than You Think)

Naming your business sounds fun. Until you realize every name you like is already taken. Or sounds too cheesy. Or too bland. Or you find yourself at 1 a.m. debating the vibe between “Rooted Goods” and “The Green Nook.”

Instead of wrestling with it for days, use an instant business name generator. Canva’s tool lets you type in a keyword or two – like “garden” or “earth” – and instantly gives you creative, relevant ideas. It even checks domain availability, which saves you from falling in love with a name that already belongs to a dormant soap shop in Canada.

Once you have a name that clicks, grab the domain and social handles right away. You can make a logo later – don’t get stuck in design purgatory.

Step 3. Set Up the Legal and Logistical Stuff (Yes, You Need To)

This is the part that makes people groan – but skipping it will just cause problems later. If you’re going to sell anything – whether it’s honey or herbal salves – you need to be legally legit.

At minimum:

• Register your business (an LLC is common for solopreneurs)
• Check local zoning laws to make sure you’re allowed to operate from home
• Get any required licenses or permits, especially if you’re making edible or skincare products

Also, open a separate bank account for the business. Mixing personal and business finances gets messy fast, and come tax season, you’ll thank yourself.

Step 4: Design a Functional (Not Fancy) Workspace

Forget Instagram-perfect setups. What you need is a space that works. That could mean:

•  A small raised bed for greens
•  A clean shed with shelving for supplies
•  A corner of the garage for drying herbs or making soap

Think through your workflow. Do you need water access? Ventilation? A cool, dark place for storage? Don’t over engineer it. Many great businesses have started on a folding table under a carport.

Step 5: Make a Simple Product or Offer – and Sell It

Here’s the moment: taking what you’ve made and putting it out into the world. Scary? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.

Start small. Sell five jars of your rosemary salve to a few neighbors. Offer a test batch of microgreens to a local café. Host a front-yard pop-up with your plant.

You don’t need a full-fledged website to get your first customer. You just need a way for people to pay (Venmo, Zelle, Square), a clear description of what you’re offering, and a smile. If you can also deliver on time and make it a good experience? Even better.

Step 6: Tell Your Story – People Buy the “Why”

You’re not just selling soap or lettuce. You’re offering something ‘better’. Something rooted in values, local care, and transparency.

Don’t be shy about sharing why you started this.

Whether it’s reducing plastic waste or creating work you love, that story matters. People connect with it. And frankly, it’s your best marketing tool.

Step 7: Stay Small on Purpose (At Least for Now)

Everyone talks about scaling. Growth. Expansion. But here’s a radical idea: what if you just stayed small for a while?

Small means flexible. It means you can experiment, adjust, and actually talk to your customers. It also means you don’t overcommit, overhire, or overinvest before you’re ready.

If demand grows, great. Grow with it. But don’t build a business that takes over your life before you know if you enjoy running it.

Step 8: Keep Learning and Adjusting

No plan survives contact with reality. Your best-selling product might flop. Your basil might bolt. A raccoon might steal your starter trays (true story). That’s okay. Stay curious. Talk to customers. Watch what sells. Keep records. Tweak your process.

And if you feel stuck? Ask for help. There’s a whole ecosystem of micro-entrepreneurs and green business folks out there – forums, Facebook groups, community co-ops – many of them happy to answer questions or share what worked for them.

Final Thought: Start Where You Are. That’s Enough

Don’t wait for the “perfect” time, setup, or product line. It’ll never feel ready. But the truth is, most people doing this didn’t wait either. They started with what they had, where they were, and figured it out as they went.

You can do the same. And maybe someday soon, someone will stop by your table at the market or your backyard stand and say, “This is exactly what I needed.”

That moment? That’s the reward.