Start a Vegetable Farm

If you have a piece of idle land in your backyard, you could try growing some vegetables during your spare time to augment the family's food supply or supplement family income. Starting one is easy as you could just use your usual garden equipment to till the soil for crop growing. Such hobby can eventually be pursued full-time on a commercial scale. A farm a fraction of an acre in size could generate $15,000 in annual sales.

Vegetable Farming Needs

First, of course, you would need a piece of land to start vegetable growing. Try at least an acre for commercial vegetable growing. Then you would need equipment, which you can buy, lease or borrow, such as a tractor, tiller, plow, disc, cultivator, and planter. Lower your production cost as much as possible by spending on equipment only when needed. Unnecessary expense on equipment could eat away potential profits.

Vegetable Farm Crop Choice

Vegetables that are farmed include carrots, lettuce, peas, beans, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, onions, squash, and pumpkin. Choose your crop depending on:

• Climate. What crops grow best in your climate? Some vegetables are cold resistant, some are not. They should be planted just in time for them to be harvested before weather conditions prove fatal to them.
• Available time and labor. Some crops have high labor requirements to grow. Before choosing a vegetable to raise, know first the extent at which some plants need tending. Determine whether you have the time to invest to grow and market it. For example, if you expect to be unable to get your produce sold immediately, avoid easily perishable crops like asparagus, sweet corn, peas and grow potatoes and onions instead.
• Technical knowledge and equipment. Some crops are difficult to grow and need special attention from the farmer for optimum results. Your choice of crop should consider whether you have the knowledge and experience in growing such crop and whether you are willing to learn from available resources. Also, some crops would need special equipment. Choose those you won’t need to buy the equipment to grow.
• Market Preference. Will there be consumers willing to buy your produce? Where is your target market located? The nearer it is, the better. If you plan to open a pick-your-own farm, be sure that your area accessible to people. As a small gardener, you can also sell produce in retail from a roadside market, farmer's market, or local grocery store.