Small seasonal pumpkin patch

Local families with children, groups of friends, and people after pumpkins for Halloween carving and autumn photos.

Price per pumpkin (often by size or weight), plus extras like gourds, hay bale seating, and a small stall selling hot drinks and snacks. Income is concentrated in the October season, with little or no revenue for the rest of the year.

• Basic growing or willingness to learn
• Planning ahead for a single busy season
• Friendly with families and crowds
• Social media for local promotion

• Public liability insurance, which is usually needed when the public visit your land
• Check with your council about planning rules, temporary event notices and any limits on opening days or parking
• If you sell hot food or drinks, check food business registration with your local council
• Weather and crop failure can wipe out a season, so avoid spending more than you can afford to lose
• Safe parking, muddy ground, and supervising children near water, machinery or livestock
• If renting land, check your agreement allows visitors and a business use
• Treat the revenue estimate as the average for the busy October weeks only; spread across the whole year it will be much lower

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your land arrangement, growing setup and how you prepare for visitors. Weather and crop failure can wipe out a season, so only spend what you can afford to lose.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,000, but that reflects the busy October weeks only. Spread across the whole year, income would be much lower, because most of the year goes on preparing and growing.

Things to check: public liability insurance, and council rules on planning, temporary event notices, opening days and parking. If you sell hot food or drinks, check food business registration. If renting land, check your agreement allows visitors.