Are you interested in not only saving money but also making money? Want to have a little bit of spare cash in your wallet for those rainy days or unexpected expenses? Do you want to encourage, support and help grow your local economy? Then you definitely want to look into starting your own vegetable garden business.
Society as a whole is definitely more interested these days in what we are consuming in terms of food. There have been numerous studies done, in both clinical and non-clinical settings, that show the direct correlation between the food we eat and our overall health. The amount of preservatives and sodium in the majority of the food we eat is unreal and even vegetables aren’t safe as they are chock full of pesticides and growth hormones.
That is why more and more people are looking to purchase home-grown vegetables that aren’t full of harmful chemicals and are grown in a natural way. Most people are willing to pay for this luxury and you can become a producer, supplier and your own boss if you are willing to put the time and effort into growing a fair-sized vegetable garden.
To Grow a Plentiful Garden
Before starting your own business, it is important to know how to grow the right kind of vegetables for your climate and how to produce enough to make a profit. There are numerous ways that a vegetable garden can be grown and different things that will make your green thumb shine a little brighter.
Always have an adequate water supply on hand, whether you are planning to hand-water your garden every evening with a hose or watering can or you plan to install water lines and irrigation systems with a garden hose timer to bring water to the vegetables. Watering your garden in the evening prevents the sun from burning and drying the vegetables up while protecting the leaves that surround the vegetables. It is in the leaves and roots that the majority of the vegetables’ nutrients live.
Invest in a good lawn fertilizer that will provide nutrients to your garden and boost your vegetables’ immune system so that they can fight off bugs or other nasty things. Check out Backyard Boss’s review on the best liquid lawn fertilizers to know more.
Consult with other gardeners in your area to determine what tools are best for growing a plentiful garden. A key action to remember, according to Traditional Gardening, is that you should always make sure you spend time removing weeds that can choke the vegetable plant, stunting their growth.
Ways to Make Your Vegetable Garden into a Profitable Business
1. Do your research – ask around and check out how many people are willing to purchase organic and homegrown vegetables in your area. Consider conducting a survey to keep track of the interest in this endeavor and double-check what prices people are willing to pay. You don’t want to start a business that isn’t profitable because your pricing is too high.
2. Rent a table at the local farmers market – farmers markets are very popular in both rural and urban areas. They are places to purchase goods, make trades, network information about numerous topics and even enjoy some family fun. Set up a table with the fruits of your labor and offer discounts on bundle or bulk purchases. You will be surprised how many people flock to farmers markets to purchase fresh vegetables.
3. Talk to local grocery stores – most local grocery stores, even if they are part of a big chain brand, will entertain the idea of selling locally grown produce in their store. Set up an appointment with the manager to discuss ways you can sell your produce in your local grocery store. Just beware – they might take a portion of the profits for rent, fees, etc.
4. Talk to local restaurants – there are so many restaurants that are willing to pay top dollar for local produce in their dishes. They make so many meals in the run of a day and they want the freshest ingredients possible to improve the flavor. Some local restaurants thrive on offering local fare and homegrown food. This also goes for restaurants located in local inns, bed and breakfasts and hotels.
5. Go viral – offer your produce on social networking sites that cater to buy-and-sell. People advertise all sorts of things and actually make a decent amount of money from this. Offer your vegetables on a social media site and gauge the interest that comes your way.
6. If all else fails, go old-school – the tried and true method of selling anything is going door to door and hawking your wares. Take your vegetables and bundle them into meal preps, local dishes, and salads. Choose an attractive packaging and hit the road. Drive around your area and ask people if they want to purchase one of your bundles or park in the parking lot of a local department store with a sign on your vehicle stating prices, options and more.
Conclusion
Not only does growing a vegetable garden save money for your family as you spend less dollars at the grocery store but it can make you money in the long run. Remember to have a big enough garden or greenhouse to grow an abundance of vegetables and talk to local gardeners/farmers about the right season to grow certain types.
The sky’s the limit if you just set your mind to do something and go out to do it. You can do anything you set your mind to with a little bit of time, effort and willpower. Go start making money!
