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Step-by-step guide

Growing and selling seedlings and plants: your step-by-step start

Raise vegetable seedlings, herbs and pot plants and sell them to home gardeners, community gardens and at markets.

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

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Green-fingered people with a sunny spot, water and patience.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 45 days.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 45 days.
  • This is usually pocket money: helpful, but rarely enough to live on by itself.
  • The main risk to plan for: seedlings dying in heat or cold: shade cloth helps.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How growing and selling seedlings and plants 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: Buy seeds, trays and seedling mix3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Aim for sow and label your first trays3 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: Sell your first batch and note what sold first3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Aim for sow every two weeks3 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: Approach a community garden or school3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add herbs and pot plants3 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 R4 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Seed trays and mix
  • Shade cloth
  • Labels
  • Watering can

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.