Backyard polytunnel for seedlings and herbs

Home gardeners, market shoppers, local cafes and neighbours who want fresh, locally grown plants.

Sell trays or punnets of seedlings and potted herbs at weekend markets, through social media and via pre-orders. Seasonal peaks in spring and autumn bring in most sales.

• Basic plant knowledge
• Patience and routine watering
• Simple selling and market stall skills

• Council rules on structures in backyards and home-based businesses
• Some states have plant movement and biosecurity rules, check with your state agriculture department
• Heat and ventilation, a polytunnel can overheat quickly and lose a whole batch
• Public liability insurance for market stalls, check what the market requires

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $800 to $4,000, depending on the size of your polytunnel and the equipment and plants you start with. A small hobby-scale setup sits at the lower end of that range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $1,500, depending on how many batches you grow and how often you sell at markets or to neighbours and cafes. Expect around six hours a week at minimum.

Check council rules on backyard structures and home-based businesses, and whether your state has plant movement and biosecurity rules through its agriculture department. Also check what public liability insurance your market stall requires.