William -
Make good use of the cooler weather this weekend. You can brush up on your French and take a good look at what will be expected of you, if you wish to be Self-Employed in France. 
Cheers
Now then Will
You will already be aware of the number of “cowboy” workers in UK (and elsewhere) and the problems that can cause - in all areas of work. 
France tries to ensure that the folk who get the public to hand over money, do actually know what they are doing, will do a decent job and have full Indemnity for themselves and their work.
Makes good sense, when you think about it . 
What sort of gardening and clientele are you planning? And have you worked as a self employed gardener in the UK? If it is straightforward maintenance gardening then the route outlined in one of the links about setting up as an AE under the service à la personne category would work. But you need to plan as it takes time to set up here. If you have an address and so on before you move then that will help as you will be able to get things started virtually.
The other thing you really need to consider is what might happen with Brexit. If the UK has left the EU then freedom of movement will no longer exist. So in that case you will need to get a residence permit. And for that you need to prove that you are financially self sufficient, which of course is hard for a newly established business. Note that doesn’t mean the amount you think you can live on, but what France considers adequate. You apply for a residence card you will need
“You’ll need to produce as many documents as you can to prove that your business is regular, effective and genuine, and that it has the capacity to continue to be so going forward. For example:
- a Kbis or other copy of your registration with RCS or Chambre de Commerce or Métiers;
- proof of your affiliation to a social security caisse;
- proof of your membership of a professional organisation;
- proof of qualification if your occupation requires it;
- proof of professional insurances;
- a professional lease, if relevant;
- bills for the purchase of materials;
- contracts for sales of goods or for services;
- if you’re a microentrepreneur: a copy of your declaration of turnover;
- copies of your accounts and or day books;
- copies of business bank statements showing regular transactions;
- for a new business: your business plan;
- and anything else relevant to your business.”
This is from the Remaininfrance.org website which has loads of essential information in English. Although I presume you speak french if you are planning a business here.
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So simple, when you arrive go to the nearest MSA office and explain what work you will be doing and they will tell you what is required registration wise.
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It’s strange because I constantly hear about cowboy British builders here in France who all have siret numbers and often come recommended. How do they even register?
I have used a British joiner who is excellent and a French builder and plumber who are both excellent.
I have an Irish passport that was the first thing I sorted.
I’m an EU citizen even after Brexit.
I think you might be right. It’s can’t be that complicated.
I know Polish, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese doing trades in Switzerland and France.
William, I have checked the info of someone I know who does garden/woodland/whatever tidying-up and related maintenance. Possibly similar to what you have in mind.
(On the other hand, you may fall into another Activité/forme.)
One chap:
Activité (Code NAF ou APE) Services d’aménagement paysager (8130Z)
Forme juridique RCS Affaire personnelle commerçant
another chap has a different Forme Juridique:
Activité (Code NAF ou APE) Services d’aménagement paysager (8130Z)
Forme juridique INSEE Entrepreneur individuel
As Tim says - go and have a word with the Msa at Ain.
It’s not that complicated, just a bit laborious, but you have to do it right. And gardening is an odd one as could either be horticulture/agriculture or services à la personne. I think there are Brits who have SiRET numbers doing work they are not registered or insured to do, ie registered for bricolage but actually doing plumbing, which is fine until it gets picked up. And then it’s very seriously not fine!
(The irish passport is a great advantage!)
I think you meant this reply for Will.
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The chap who brings a van round to the village cooking pizza on a Wednesday night has his qualification displayed in the van - they do things differently in France!!
Inability to move qualifications is one thing which stops my wife and I making a permanent move until after we retire.
Sounds like you have some scope to set up in France if we stay in the EU. I wish you all the luck in the world and I am sure that you will make a success of it if you are willing to put the work in but, as everyone has said, you need to get your head around “the French Way” first and foremost.
If it is a true gardening business then you have to register with MSA -
https://www.msa.fr/lfy/affiliation/activite-paysagiste
Unlike AE you will have to pay a minimum level of cotisations even if you don’t earn anything.
They will have several offices in the département.
I found out the list of jobs I will be doing:
Mowing
Weeding
Hedge trimming
General tidying (jet washing)
Plant care
Fruit tree care
I’m not being funny, but I can’t see how needing a qualification for these is jobs in possible. Pushing a mower! 
You don’t need a qualification to do any of these things. What you do need is to be properly registered with the appropriate agencies and departments in order to make your business legitimate. Or of course you could decide to become part of the ‘black economy’ as many people do who cannot be bothered with the bureaucracy and end up operating outside the law. Not advisable.
It helps to know about plants if you are looking after them, when and how to prune, what type of parasite they attract, which diseases to watch out for, what soil they like, what you are allowed to use etc
There are only certain times of day you are allowed to mow or use noisy equipment, mower etc maintenance is sometimes fiddly - if you use your own equipment maybe it doesn’t matter but if you use mine I’d rather you had a qualification, insurance etc.
I wouldn’t employ someone with no qualifications.
Well fruit tree care is highly specialised, and can also involve lots of health and safety considerations!
But talk to the various bodies about what is required, and make sure you have your complete CV with your experience written down . You might find that all you need is just a three day course on running a business.
The way you wrote I’ve “found out the list of work” does slightly suggest you’re going to be working for someone else tho’ rather than running your own business?
I’m also going say ‘insurance’, our business public liability cover costs 600 euros a year and the OP is going to need something similar.
Would you employ someone with 5 years experience that has 18 happy clients or a young man with no experience and a few daft qualifications?
I think we’re struggling to convince William that things are different here, but then what to we know?
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I’m finding it hard to understand. I’m not going to lie.
I’ve worked in Switzerland before and that seemed like less effort.