If you’re considering selling lawn and garden products, Amazon can be a great place to get started. Garden & Outdoor is a high-traffic category that attracts many customers as they shop for everything from basic garden tools to large outdoor furniture. If you understand the rules and learn how to handle seasonal changes, you can build a profitable business in this category.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why choose the Garden & Outdoor category
- How to get started
- What product requirements to meet
- How to plan your fulfillment strategy
- How to manage seasonal changes
4 reasons to sell garden and outdoor products on Amazon store
Wondering if the Garden & Outdoor category is right for you? Here are four reasons to consider it.
1. High-traffic category
The Garden & Outdoor is a popular category that can be a great place to potentially attract new customers.
2. Less competition
Some types of products, like patio furniture, can have fewer sellers competing for sales. This means you might have a better chance to stand out, especially if you can handle shipping larger products.
3. Year-round potential
While seasonal products like garden tools and fertilizers sell better in spring and summer, you can sell some products all year, especially in warmer climates. Savvy sellers tend to plan their inventory around regional weather patterns and shopping habits.
4. Regular repeat sales
Many garden and outdoor products need regular replacement, creating opportunities for ongoing sales. For example, offering Subscribe & Save can keep customers coming back for commonly used products like plant food or pest control solutions.
Review the Garden & Outdoor condition guidelines
3 steps to sell garden and outdoor products on Amazon store
Selling garden and outdoor products in the Amazon store takes three basic steps:
- Decide on a business model.
- Create your Amazon selling account.
- Get any necessary approvals.
1. Decide on a business model
There are several ways to sell garden and outdoor products in the Amazon store:
- Resell products: You can purchase products from reliable suppliers, like wholesalers or manufacturers, and resell them if they’re in New condition. Learn more about the reselling process.
- Collaborate with a brand: You can get a brand’s permission to sell their products in the Amazon store.
- Create your own products: You can develop your own garden and outdoor products. You might build your own brand in the process and can bring it to the Amazon store to tap into our reach and attract new customers.
2. Create your Amazon selling account
A selling plan gives you access to Seller Central, your online headquarters for managing your Amazon business. Here you can list products, manage inventory, run ads, and more.
Learn more in our seller registration guide
3. Get any necessary approvals
Some garden and outdoor products need approval before you can sell them. Here’s how to check:
- In the Seller Central main menu, select Catalog then Add products. Search for the product you want to sell.
- Once you’ve located the product, if you see a Sell this product button you’re already approved to sell it. If you see Apply to sell, then you need approval. Select the button to launch either the product listing or application process.
To get approved, you might need to provide:
- Copies of invoices showing the purchase of 10 or more units, receipts, or other documents demonstrating where the products are produced or manufactured
- A brand authorization letter permitting you to sell the brand’s products
- Product photos
- Safety certifications
- Compliance documentation from government entities like the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Business license
The application process will prompt you to provide supporting documentation or complete any other necessary steps to get approved. To check the status of your applications, select Catalog in the Seller Central main menu, then select View Selling Applications.
Dig into garden and outdoor product requirements
As you think about what to sell, it’s important to consider the requirements for different products. Many products in this category affect plant growth or contain chemicals, which means they may fall under the dangerous goods category. This means you’ll need to follow specific rules, especially for pesticides and other regulated products. Some products also require special handling for shipping.
Learn more about chemical safety regulations
Before you list products, follow these steps to ensure they meet category requirements.
1. Identify if your product is a dangerous good
Garden products are typically classified as dangerous goods if they:
- Are flammable or contain aerosols
- Contain chemicals that affect plant growth
- Kill or control pests, insects, or weeds
- Make claims about stopping bacteria or mold
- Require special handling during shipping
- Need EPA approval
Examples of dangerous goods include:
- Pesticides and pest control products
- Weed killers
- Anti-bacterial products
- Mold prevention products
- Plant growth regulators
Review the dangerous goods identification guide
Products that typically don’t require special approval include:
- Basic garden tools
- Plant containers
- Standard furniture
- Most live plants
2. Get documents for required approvals
If your product is classified as a dangerous good, you’ll need documentation like:
- An EPA Registration Number (preferred)
- An EPA Establishment Number (if no registration number exists)
- Safety data sheets
- Proper warning labels
- Required licenses
- Testing results
Note: When both EPA numbers exist for your product, use only the EPA Registration Number. Some products may qualify for exemptions from EPA registration requirements through an attestation process.
3. Meet safety and shipping requirements
For dangerous goods, you must:
- Follow the dangerous goods policy
- Use proper safety labels
- Meet storage requirements
- Prepare correct shipping documents
- Use approved shipping methods
- Follow multi-box shipping rules when applicable
Learn the policy for storing, handling, and shipping dangerous goods
Plot your Garden & Outdoor category fulfillment strategy
Success in this category can depend on how you handle shipping and storage. That’s because garden and outdoor products often require special shipping considerations due to size, seasonality, and dangerous goods classifications. Understanding your fulfillment options can help you navigate these considerations, manage costs, and deliver products safely to customers.
Let’s look at your options.
Shipping and storage options
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
With FBA, Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and customer service for your products. This option can help you:
- Reach Prime customers with fast, free shipping
- Scale your business during busier seasons
- Reduce operational workload
- Access Amazon’s established fulfillment network
Note: FBA doesn’t accept multi-box shipments.
Many garden and outdoor products, like pesticides, fertilizers, and certain cleaning products, are classified as dangerous goods. They contain chemicals or substances that may pose risks during storage, handling, or transportation. If you sell these types of products, you’ll need to enroll in the FBA dangerous goods program.
Learn more about the FBA dangerous goods program
Fulfilled by Merchant
Fulfilled by Merchant is a suite of solutions that can help you fulfill customer orders. For example, when you use Fulfilled by Merchant, you can access superior shipping options that ensure fast and reliable delivery. You can also manage:
- Shipping rates and methods
- Storage locations
- Regional delivery areas
- Special handling requirements
- Multi-box shipments
Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD)
For seasonal inventory management, you can use Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD). With AWD, you can:
- Store products during slower months
- Keep products searchable even when out of stock in the FBA network
- Adjust your storage space as your needs change
This flexibility can help seasonal businesses manage inventory costs throughout the year.
Note: AWD doesn’t accept multi-box shipments or dangerous goods.
Plan your Garden & Outdoor inventory season by season
While demand for lawn and garden products can be highest in the spring and summer, smart inventory management can help you optimize your business in every season.
FBA offers a variety of reports and features to help you strike the right balance with your inventory. Here’s some tips as you plan your year.
Winter: Prepare for success
Focus on planning during quieter months. Check your storage costs and plan next year’s budget. You can use FBA business reports to see which products might make the most money or determine what storage space will you need. This is a great time to get ready to handle seasonal changes before they start.
You can also review your sales trends from the previous year using the Sales and Traffic Business Report and Detail Page Sales and Traffic Report to identify which products performed well during each season. This historical analysis can help you forecast demand more accurately and plan inventory levels six to nine months ahead of key seasonal moments.
Learn more about FBA business reports
Spring: Launch into seasonal sales
This is likely your busiest time. Use your FBA dashboard to track fast-moving products and set up restock alerts. Watch your storage space carefully as sales pick up. The restock report can help you know exactly what to send and when.
Consider running promotions, deals, coupons, and discounts to make your products more appealing to customers. You can also use Amazon Ads to increase product visibility during this high-demand period.
Learn more about the FBA dashboard
Summer: Stay strong in high season
Keep your bestsellers in stock during this season. Your FBA inventory reports can show you what’s selling in different regions. Watch your storage limits and restock alerts to maintain sales without overstock.
Remember to plan inbound shipments at least 30 days in advance for domestic inventory and 90 days for international inventory. During high-demand periods like summer, add an additional 20 days to your planning timeline to avoid fulfillment network backlogs.
Learn more about inventory reports
Fall: Plan for slower months
Start planning ahead for slower months. Use your FBA business reports to spot which products might sell well year-round. Adjust your storage to avoid extra costs during winter. For smaller, eligible products like basic tools, AWD might help reduce storage costs during slower periods. Just remember that some larger and hazmat products aren’t eligible for AWD.
Fall is also a good time to test new products for next spring. You can use slower sales periods to soft launch new products without the pressure of busier seasons. This can help you learn what works before you need large inventory levels.
Grow your Garden & Outdoor business with Amazon
If you’re interested in selling in the Garden & Outdoor category, start with a few products, learn the seasonal patterns, and use your inventory insights to spot growth opportunities. And remember, take advantage of Amazon tools and programs to spot opportunities and build steady sales.
Start growing your Garden & Outdoor business today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store chemicals and fertilizers in AWD?
What’s the process for getting EPA approval?
What specific documentation is needed for organic gardening products?
*A Professional selling plan is $39.99 a month + selling fees. Learn more
