Starting a Market Garden: What to Plan Before You Plant

A market garden is a small, intensive growing operation that sells fresh produce directly to customers, restaurants or local shops. Many growers start one with enthusiasm and a packet of seeds, but the ones that last usually begin with a plan. In this guide, the Australian School of Agriculture & Horticulture covers what to think through before you plant.

Who will buy your produce?

Start with the market, not the crop. Will you sell at farmers markets, through a veggie box subscription, to cafés and restaurants, or from a farm gate stall? Each channel suits different crops, volumes and price points. Talk to potential buyers early to find out what they want, how much and how often.

Is your site suitable?

• Sun: most vegetables need full sun for much of the day
• Water: a reliable, good-quality water supply is essential, so check your rights and the cost of access
• Soil: test it before you plant, so you know its pH, nutrients and any contamination risks
• Access: think about vehicle access, distance to market and a cool, shaded space for washing and packing
• Shelter: windbreaks can protect young plants and reduce moisture loss

What should you grow?

Choose crops that suit your climate, your customers and your capacity. Quick-growing, high-value crops such as salad greens, herbs and specialty vegetables are popular with small growers because they turn over fast. Plan succession plantings so you have a steady supply each week rather than a glut followed by a gap.

How should you plan your first season?

1. Start small enough to manage well, then scale up once systems are working.
2. Draw a bed plan and planting calendar based on your local growing season.
3. Set up irrigation before you plant, ideally efficient drip irrigation.
4. Build a simple record-keeping system for planting dates, yields, costs and sales.
5. Check local council requirements and food safety obligations for selling produce.

How do you make it profitable?

Profit comes from matching production to demand, pricing for your true costs (including your time) and keeping waste low. Track which crops earn the most per bed and per hour of labour, and adjust your crop mix each season based on what the numbers tell you.

Plant science and cultivation are covered in our Certificate in Horticulture, while the Certificate in Horticulture Business focuses on planning, marketing and running a growing enterprise.