Online plant and garden supply shop

Local homeowners, condo gardeners and small landscapers who want easy ordering and plants delivered to the door.

Retail margins on products plus a delivery fee or minimum order. Bundles like herb kits, raised-bed starter sets and soil-and-plant combos raise the order value.

• Plant care knowledge
• Basic website and photo skills
• Order and delivery planning
• Customer service

• Plants are perishable and bulky goods are heavy, so plan storage and delivery carefully
• Check your municipality's rules for running a home-based business and storing stock at home
• Check CFIA and provincial rules on selling and shipping plants and soil, especially across provincial borders
• Pesticide and fertilizer sales are restricted in many places, so check before listing them
• Commercial general liability and vehicle insurance that covers business delivery
• Winter is quiet, so plan for off-season products or income

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your stock range, your website, and whether you store goods at home or rent a small space. A tight starting range helps keep costs down.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your product range, local demand and delivery area. Winter is quiet, so plan for off-season products or other income.

Check your municipality's rules for home-based businesses and storing stock at home. Also check CFIA and provincial rules on selling and shipping plants and soil, especially across provincial borders, and any restrictions on pesticide and fertilizer sales.