Bark and mulch yard

Landscapers, gardeners, councils and contractors, garden centres and home gardeners.

You sell by the cubic metre or bag, with a delivery charge on top. Trade accounts give steady volume, and public retail sales usually carry a higher margin.

• Operating or hiring a loader safely
• Stock buying and pricing
• Customer service and basic bookkeeping

• Council planning approval and zoning for a yard, and any EPA or environmental rules on stockpiles (check your state)
• Large mulch piles can heat up and catch fire, so check fire safety and pile-size advice
• Loader operation may need training or a ticket, and workplace safety rules apply (check your state's WHS regulator)
• Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff
• Check that mulch meets Australian Standard guidance and isn't contaminated with treated timber
• Wet weather and seasonal swings in demand affect income

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the yard or block you lease, loader access and how much stock you buy to begin with. Get quotes first.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your mix of trade and public sales, whether you deliver, and the season. Wet weather and seasonal swings in demand affect income.

Check council planning approval and zoning, and any EPA or environmental rules on stockpiles in your state. Also check fire safety for large piles, loader training and workplace safety rules, and insurance.