Growing Peach for Money

Peach is among the top grown fruits in the U.S. It is highly valued for its sweet taste, and low calorie content. It is a good source of vitamins A and C. If you want to own a fruit farm, peach is one fruit that you might consider growing for money. To start a peach farm, it would be best if you have a formal background in agriculture.

Equally important as the knowledge about peach growing in starting a peach farm is the availability of capital. Farming is a capital intensive business. A farm that is less than a hundred acre is considered small. You need money to buy or rent a land, buy or lease equipment, and construct irrigation systems. To properly determine your capital needs, prepare a business plan. By this you will know whether your personal equity is enough to start a farm. Otherwise consider other sources of funds, including federal loans.

Aside from funding source, here are some of the items you have to think, about when growing peaches as a business:

• Registering your farm (for example as a limited liability company) so that it can operate legally
• Your market. To whom will you be selling your produce? You can sell them to local fruit stands, fruit packers, grocery stores, fruit distributors, and canneries.
• Labor. You would have to employ people who will regularly work on the farm. If your’s is a small farm, you’d need about half a dozen regular workers. You’ll need contract laborers during the picking season.
• When do you expect to generate a profit from the farm? Have a realistic expectation based on your prepared financial projection (part of your business plan).
• The varieties of peach (or cultivar) to grow. The most commonly grown variety is the Elberta. Explore other early harvest varieties and be aware of the trends in choosing  what variety to cultivate for optimum profit.
• Soil conditioning. Peach grows well in sandy loam soil that is drained well and has a pH near 6. Know the type of soil you have so that you will have an idea how to condition it for optimum productivity.
• Peach cultivation. Peach trees need a lot of sunlight, soil drainage and the right pH to be optimally productive.
• Post harvest care to preserve the freshness and quality of the fruit. You can extend the life of the fruit to almost a month with effective post-harvest treatment.
• Damage control. You have to be prepared to control and manage attacks of fungi, virus and insects. You also have to protect your fruits from frosts.