1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Growing and selling vegetables from a backyard or small plot: your step-by-step start

Grow spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, onions and herbs in a backyard, communal or small plot and sell to neighbours, spazas and street traders.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Patient people with some land, water and the habit of working outside every day.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 60 days.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 60 days.
  • This is usually pocket money: helpful, but rarely enough to live on by itself.
  • The main risk to plan for: drought and water restrictions.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How growing and selling vegetables from a backyard or small plot worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Choose two fast crops (spinach, herbs) and one main crop3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Buy seedlings and compost and plant your first beds3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Aim for plant a new row every two weeks so harvests are spread out3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Agree a weekly order with one shop or vendor3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Keep the crops that sell best3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Consider a co-op with neighbours to supply bigger buyers3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R300 to R5 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Spade, fork and hose
  • Seedlings and compost
  • Netting or fence
  • Harvest and sales book

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.