Small market garden selling direct

Local households, farm shops, cafes, restaurants and shoppers at farmers' markets.

Weekly veg box subscriptions, stall and honesty-box sales, and regular supply to local cafes and shops. Higher-value crops like salad leaves and herbs help on a small area.

• Growing and crop planning
• Physical stamina and outdoor work
• Selling and building regular customers

• Land agreement: check the tenancy or licence terms, how long it lasts and what you are allowed to build
• Planning permission may be needed for polytunnels, sheds or a farm stall, check with your local council
• Selling prepared or packed food may mean registering with your local council, check what applies
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Weather and crop failure can hit income, so start small and spread your crops

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the land you rent, tools, polytunnels, seeds and insurance. Starting small and growing a spread of crops can help you manage the early outlay.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £700 to £3,500, depending on what you grow and where you sell. Weather and crop failure can hit income, so start small and spread your crops. Expect at least around 15 hours a week.

Check your land agreement, including how long it lasts and what you can build. Planning permission may be needed for polytunnels, sheds or a farm stall, so ask your council. Check registration for packed food, and public and product liability insurance.