Bonsai grower for markets and garden centres

Garden centres, gift shops, florists, market shoppers and hobbyists at shows and club events.

Retail sales at markets and shows at full price, plus wholesale orders to shops at a lower price in larger batches, with supplies as an add-on.

• Growing and propagating plants at scale
• Planning production around the seasons
• Selling and building relationships with shop buyers
• Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking

• Plant health rules and any nursery registration or inspection that applies in your province. Check with your provincial agriculture ministry and the CFIA
• Commercial general liability insurance, and market organizers often ask for proof
• Heating and winter protection costs, which can eat into margins
• Zoning, if you grow on rural or residential land. Check with your municipality
• Wholesale buyers may pay on delay, so agree payment terms in writing
• GST/HST registration and how sales tax applies to your sales

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000 CAD, depending on your growing space and stock. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on where you sell and how much you produce.

Check plant health rules and any nursery registration or inspection in your province with your provincial agriculture ministry and the CFIA. Also check zoning with your municipality, insurance, and GST/HST registration and how sales tax applies to your sales.

Estimates start at around 15 hours a week. Plan production around the seasons, and budget for heating and winter protection, which can eat into margins. Agree payment terms in writing with wholesale buyers who may pay late.