Backyard greenhouse seedling grower

Home gardeners, community garden groups and shoppers at farmers' markets and plant sales.

Sell trays, six-packs and pots of seedlings, either at a market stall, from your driveway or by online pre-order with local pickup.

• Growing plants from seed
• Patience and daily care
• Basic selling and pricing

• Check your municipality's zoning rules for home-based businesses and for selling from your property
• Check whether your provincial agriculture ministry has rules on selling plants, such as pest or inspection requirements
• Heating costs and frost risk in early spring can eat into profit
• Most sales fall in a short spring window, so plan for a seasonal income
• Check whether you need commercial general liability insurance for market sales

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your greenhouse size, heating and supplies. Monthly revenue is typically around $300 to $1,500, depending on how many seedlings you sell. These are estimates, and most sales fall in spring.

Check your municipality's zoning rules for home-based businesses and selling from your property. Also check whether your provincial agriculture ministry has rules on selling plants, such as pest or inspection requirements, and whether you need liability insurance for market sales.

You need to grow plants from seed, give patient daily care, and handle basic selling and pricing. Estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. Heating costs and frost risk in early spring can eat into profit.