Small orchard selling at markets and shops

Farmers market shoppers, local greengrocers, cafes and restaurants, and households buying boxes of fruit.

Selling fruit by the kilo or box at markets, to shops and by pre-order. Seconds can be sold cheaply or to juice and cider makers. Income comes mostly in the harvest season.

• Pruning and tree care
• Physical stamina for outdoor work
• Selling and talking to customers
• Planning around the seasons

• Land costs and lease terms, get advice before signing anything
• Water rights and irrigation rules, check with your state water authority
• Chemical use may need training and records, check your state requirements
• Fruit fly and other biosecurity rules that can limit moving fruit between regions, check your state agriculture department
• Weather risks like hail, frost and drought can wipe out a crop, consider crop insurance
• Public liability insurance and workers compensation if you hire pickers

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $250,000, depending on whether you lease or buy, the size of the block and whether the trees are already established. Get advice on land costs and lease terms before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on your crop, how much you sell direct and the season. Young trees can take several years to crop, and weather risks can affect a harvest.

Check water rights and irrigation rules with your state water authority, and whether chemical use needs training and records. Also check fruit fly and biosecurity rules with your state agriculture department, plus public liability insurance and workers compensation if you hire pickers.