Business · Companies · 14 hrs ago
Norfolk teenager turns tomato-growing hobby into a growing business
Jacob, a 14-year-old from Sprowston in Norfolk, has turned growing tomatoes into a business.
He began gardening at a local allotment during the Covid-19 pandemic, and started selling plants at 13.
His greenhouse now holds as many as 7,000 tomato plants to meet demand.
He cycles around Norwich with a custom-made trailer to sell his produce.
The business has expanded to growing kits and tomato-themed merchandise, including hoodies and crocheted mascots.
Buyers include customers across the UK and one in Australia, showing how far his small venture has reached.
Jacob says he still loves tomatoes, but no further plans for the business are described.
A 14-year-old from Norfolk has turned his tomato-growing hobby into a business selling plants, growing kits and merchandise.
Jacob, from Sprowston, now has as many as 7,000 tomato plants in his greenhouse.
He started growing tomatoes during the Covid-19 pandemic and began selling them at age 13.
He cycles around Norwich with a custom-made trailer to sell his produce.
His customers include buyers across the UK and one in Australia.
- Who
- Jacob, a 14-year-old from Sprowston, Norfolk.
- What
- He has turned his tomato-growing hobby into a business selling plants, growing kits and merchandise.
- When
- He began growing tomatoes during the Covid-19 pandemic and started the business around a year before the report.
- Where
- Sprowston and Norwich, England; his customers include people across the UK and a buyer in Australia.
- Why
- He began growing tomatoes as a hobby and expanded the business as demand for his produce grew.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jacob began growing tomatoes at a local allotment.
Jacob launched his tomato-selling venture, starting with a handful of plants.
He expanded his operation to grow thousands of plants and introduced growing kits and merchandise.
- Age
- 14
- Hometown
- Sprowston, Norfolk
- Greenhouse
- As many as 7,000 tomato plants
- Initial sales
- About 14 plants
- International customer
- One buyer in Australia
What people are saying
I didn't realise how big it was going to be. I started off selling [about] 14 plants, and then it kind of just went on from there,
They are my favourite fruit. I love tomatoes. Who wouldn't?