Backyard plant nursery

Home gardeners, neighbours, community garden groups and market-goers.

Price per pot or tray, sold at weekend markets, through social media, from a gate or stall, or by pre-order and local pickup.

• Plant propagation and care
• Knowing what grows well in your climate
• Basic record keeping and pricing

• Check with your local council whether you need approval to run a home-based business or sell from your property
• Check your state's rules on selling plants and on restricted or declared weeds, as some species cannot be sold
• Public liability insurance, especially if customers visit or you sell at markets
• Plant health and biosecurity rules differ by state, so check with your state agriculture department before moving plants across borders
• Watering costs and weather losses, so plan for failed batches

Startup costs are typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on the plants you propagate, pots and potting mix, and your growing setup. Watering costs and weather losses can add up, so plan for failed batches.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $1,500, depending on what you grow, how many plants you sell and where you sell them. That is revenue before costs. Expect roughly 8 hours a week or more.

Things to check: council approval to run a home-based business or sell from your property, your state's rules on selling plants and restricted or declared weeds, public liability insurance, and state biosecurity rules before moving plants across borders.