Small market garden growing vegetables

Farmers' market shoppers, local cafes and restaurants, grocers, and households buying weekly boxes.

Selling by the bunch, bag or box at markets, through a subscription box or direct to venues. Higher-value crops such as salad mix, herbs and specialty veg tend to suit small plots.

• Growing and soil knowledge
• Planning crops through the seasons
• Selling face to face and to local venues

• Check with your local council about zoning and planning rules for farming on your land
• Public liability insurance, and product liability for food you sell
• Check your state's food safety rules for selling fresh produce and any water-quality expectations
• Weather, pests and water access can wipe out a crop, so avoid relying on a single one
• Income is seasonal and slow to start, so plan for several months before steady sales

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your land or lease, water access, tools, seeds and insurance. These are estimates, so check the costs for your own site and setup.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on what you grow, your sales channels and the season. Income is seasonal and slow to start, so plan for several months before steady sales.

Check your local council's zoning and planning rules for farming your land, and your state's food safety rules for selling fresh produce, including any water-quality expectations. Also arrange public liability and product liability insurance for the food you sell.