Produce ready for market
You love to garden, maybe you always grow more than you can use or you need some extra income. Whatever the reason you have for wanting to sell your fruits and vegetables, you must first realize that it will take at least one-half acre of garden space to grow produce profitably. If you have adequate space, next you must discover what will sell in your area and if your garden is suitable for growing the fruits or vegetables in demand. Once you have determined you can successfully grow and sell your fruits and vegetables, implementing cost saving strategies will bring you greater profits.
Instructions
Market Research
1. Choose the type of clientele you want to sell your fruits and vegetables to, commercial/wholesale accounts or retail. Retail means selling directly to the consumer, either at a farmer's market or from your home. If you decide to use the farmer's market you will probably need to join a local organization, which may entail a fee and requirements or rules. Selling from home is profitable if you are located where there is quite a bit of traffic and have the time available. It is also necessary to check with your local government to see if there are permits needed or if your property is zoned to sell homegrown produce.
Commercial, or wholesale, produce selling is marketing your fruits and vegetables to a business, like a restaurant, or a local organic grocery store.
2. Visit a farmer's market several times to observe what types of vegetables and fruits are being sold and which are popular. Strike up conversations with both vendors and buyers to discover what produce sells well and what people are looking for. This information will help you determine the types of fruits and/or vegetables you are going to grow and sell regardless whether you choose commercial or retail selling. The same fruits and vegetables will be in demand for your local grocery store or restaurant.
3. Analyze where you intend to grow your produce. Some fruits and particularly vegetables grow best, and produce in abundance, in sunny locations, while others, like lettuce and spinach, prefer a shadier environment. Determine what the best, most productive fruits and vegetables will grow in the soil and location of your garden.
Make a Profit, Reduce Expenses
4. Grow your vegetable plants from seeds to save money and have a longer growing season. Start your seeds indoors and you will be able to harvest your vegetables sooner than waiting to plant starter plants or root stock. Also, choose disease resistant varieties which usually germinate easily and will eliminate the need to spend time and products later on fighting plant diseases.
5. Buy in bulk whenever possible. Purchasing supplies, like fertilizer or plant stakes, in bulk or case lots will save significant money because these products are usually cheaper in bulk and keep from year to year.
6. Utilize your planting space efficiently by spacing your plants so there is minimal open space between them and no more than 12 to 14 inches between rows. Also, plant herbs and smaller plants in pots and hanging baskets instead of using valuable garden space.
7. Keep ongoing, accurate records of what produce you raised, how much yield you got, the amount of garden space required for each fruit or vegetable and the money you spent and received. By keeping an accurate record of spending costs, production and money earned, you will be able to know if you are making a profit, breaking even or losing money. This will help you plan your next year growing and marketing tactics.
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