Online seed shop for local gardeners

Home gardeners, community gardens, schools and hobby growers looking for varieties that suit their zone.

Margin on each packet, plus higher-value seed collections, gift sets and bundles. Most sales come in late winter and spring, so plan cash flow around that.

• Basic gardening knowledge
• Online selling and photography
• Organised stock and order handling
• Clear product writing

• Seeds Act and Seeds Regulations: check CFIA requirements for labelling, germination and variety rules, especially if you repack seed
• Importing seed from outside Canada may need permits, so check with CFIA first
• Home-based business licence: check with your municipality
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules
• Strong seasonality, with income concentrated in roughly February to June
• Commercial general liability insurance, and shipping costs for small orders

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000 CAD, depending on your initial seed stock, website setup, packaging and insurance. Shipping costs for small orders are worth planning for too.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000 CAD, depending on your range, traffic and pricing. Income tends to be concentrated in roughly February to June, so plan for quieter months.

Check CFIA requirements under the Seeds Act and Seeds Regulations for labelling, germination and variety rules, especially if you repack seed. Also check whether importing seed needs permits, and ask your municipality about home-based business licences.