Farmster founder Ben Mayson gave up corporate life to pursue his passion for gardening by setting up a residential farming business.

Auckland residents are letting an entrepreneur turn their lawns and gardens into "micro-farms" in return for discounted produce.

Having worked for big corporates for most of his professional life Ben Mayson​ felt an urge to pursue a more lifestyle-focused career. One that would allow him to indulge his passion for gardening while also creating something sustainable and community-minded.

After four years working overseas Mayson returned home to Auckland with his wife and three kids at the end of last year and founded Farmster in January, his first foray into life as an entrepreneur.

CHRIS SKELTON/STUFF Farmster founder Ben Mayson says he takes care of all the soil preparation, planting and harvesting of vege plots.

"Farmster​ is a vegetable delivery company but, the twist is, we farm in other people's backyards," Mayson said.

READ MORE: Ooooby aiming for more than backyard growth

The business relies on two types of people: Those who offer their backyards for crops, called farmers, and those wanting fresh produce delivered to their door, the customers.

Farmster already had about 500sqm of land that had been pledged by households offering up their backyards to be farmed.

Plots had to be at least 12sqm and could be as big as 100sqm and the land had to be appropriate for growing vegetables with good soil and plenty of sun, he said.

Mayson prepares the soil, plants seasonal crops and harvests them when they're ready. The main thing farmers had to do was keep the patch watered, he said.

"The person has to be committed because we have to put a lot of work in to get that plot ready."

In return farmers receive a weekly box of vegetables delivered to their door for $15 – a $10 discount compared to the $25 that regular customers pay.﻿

Mayson said the produce was comparable in price to farmers' market prices, with the added bonus of being home delivered.

He was hoping to achieve same-day harvest and delivery with all of the washing and boxing done at a packing station set up his home in Waterview.

"You're going to be getting super local, super fresh vegetables harvested in the morning and then delivered in the afternoon."

Farmers would have a chance to eat some of their own vegetables, but only when they were harvested every 10 or 12 weeks.

"In between time you'll be getting Joe's broccoli and Mary's lettuces. It's a real network of micro-farms."

The company had 52 pre-registered customers and one staff member – Mayson.

"Basically what we're doing is a proof of concept."

At this stage the company operated in only a handful of central and western Auckland suburbs but the plan was to make it a national company, he said.

A big challenge was the cost of distribution and logistics, he said.

"This is not a cheap thing to do, especially on the labour side."

He said he was confident about the demand for such a service.

"This thing goes viral really, really quick. There's a lot of love out there for the idea."

Farmster's first delivery will be on April 25.

One of those who will be receiving a delivery is Mt Albert resident Jenifer Silva.

The mother of one, who herself is a new business owner, said she became a "farmer" because she couldn't keep on top of the weeds in her garden.

"I don't have any time to weed it let alone look after it," Silva said.

She had offered a plot of about 100sqm which Mayson had turned into a cabbage and cauliflower crop field about a month ago.

Silva said she signed up because she believed in buying local.

"What Ben's doing really slots in with my ethos."