Online specialty fertilizer shop for growers

Market gardeners, greenhouse and hobby growers, small farms and community gardens, often in areas without a nearby dealer.

Product margin on each order plus shipping charges. Repeat customers and seasonal bundles, such as a spring soil-building kit, raise order size.

• Knowing which fertilizers suit which crops and soils
• Online selling and basic website setup
• Clear product advice by email or phone
• Order and shipping organization

• Fertilizers are regulated federally, so check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about registration and labelling for each product you sell
• Heavy bags are costly to ship, so check freight prices before setting your prices
• Check whether some products are restricted for shipping or need dangerous goods handling
• Storing stock at home may need municipal approval or a home-based business licence, so check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability and product liability insurance
• Register for GST/HST when you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• In Quebec, check French-language website and labelling requirements

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your website setup, how much stock you hold, and whether you ship from home storage or have suppliers ship directly to customers.

Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about registration and labelling for each product. Also check shipping restrictions or dangerous goods handling, freight costs for heavy bags, municipal rules for home storage, GST/HST registration, insurance, and Quebec French-language requirements.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your product range, customers and shipping costs. The idea estimates at least about 8 hours a week to run it.