Pick-Your-Own christmas tree farm

Families, couples and groups making a day out of tree shopping, plus businesses and organizations buying trees in bulk.

Price per tree, plus add-ons like wreaths, tree stands, baling and hot chocolate. Most income lands in the short season from late November to December, so budget across the whole year.

• Farm and machinery work
• Planning planting cycles years ahead
• Customer service and event hosting
• Basic marketing and social media

• Land and years of growing time are the main costs, so make sure you can fund the wait
• Commercial general liability insurance covering visitors, saws and uneven ground
• Check municipal rules on signage, parking, traffic and on-farm sales
• Check WCB or WSIB coverage if you hire seasonal staff, as rules vary by province
• Check food permits with your local public health unit if you sell hot drinks or snacks
• Weather, pests and a poor season can hit the whole year's income

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your land, planting scale and equipment. Land and years of growing time are the main costs, so make sure you can fund the wait.

Check commercial general liability insurance covering visitors, saws and uneven ground. Also check municipal rules on signage, parking, traffic and on-farm sales, WCB or WSIB coverage for seasonal staff, and food permits with your public health unit if you sell hot drinks or snacks.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many trees you sell and how many visitors you attract. Weather, pests and a poor season can hit the whole year's income.