Plant and garden supply market stand

Market shoppers, home gardeners, apartment dwellers wanting houseplants and herbs, and neighbors looking for local plants.

Retail markup on plants and supplies sold at each market day, with extra from bundles such as herb kits or planters, and from pre-orders and repeat customers.

• Basic plant care knowledge
• Friendly selling and chatting with customers
• Planning stock and pricing
• Lifting and loading plants and supplies

• Check whether your state requires a nursery or plant dealer license, even for selling at markets
• Sales tax permit and collecting tax at your stand, which varies by state
• Market vendor permits and insurance requirements, since many markets ask for general liability coverage
• Plants dying in heat or cold, so plan how to store and transport stock
• Rules on moving plants across county or state lines, and on invasive species
• Weather and seasons mean income can be uneven

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your stock, stall or trailer setup, transport and insurance. Starting at markets before committing to a shop can keep overhead lower.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many markets you attend, your product range and the season. Weather and seasons mean income can be uneven.

Check whether your state requires a nursery or plant dealer license, even at markets, plus a sales tax permit. Also check market vendor permits and insurance, rules on moving plants across county or state lines, and invasive species.