Want to Earn High Profits Through Farming? Since the onset of agrarian revolution, farming has been considered as the best way to earn high profits. For a long time, people have capitalized on using significant portions of land to generate income from farm produce. That is, the bigger the piece of land used, the more profit earned.
However, it is important to note that with the growth and development of advanced technology, one can comfortably turn their small piece of land into a profit earning machine. That is mainly through the art of growing specialty plants that we are talking below. Check out 10 Most Profitable Crops to Grow in Your Backyard.
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10 Most Profitable Crops To Grow In Your Backyard
Despite being easy to grow, the main reason why specialty plants are perceived as the most profitable crops to be cultivated in a small area is their unique presence. This means that while they are not typically found in home vegetable gardens, they require minimal attention and commitment. Being the most profitable crops to grow, specialty crops present growers with approximate earnings of about 60,000 dollars per acre.
If you are looking to make extra cash through farming, here is a list of specialty crops that are both easy to grow and produce in a small piece of land (less than one acre).
#1. Ginseng/Green gold
Although the plant has a slow growth and maturity rate of about six years, it’s possible to make up to $100,000 on a half-acre plot of land from either the sale of its seeds, rootlets or mature roots. This is because most people consider it to be a healing herb and tonic.
A recent study by the reliable Mayo Clinic has identified the positive effect of Wisconsin ginseng It has ability to aid in the reduction of fatigue in patients suffering from cancer. Clinical trials of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have demonstrated that fatigue levels of cancer patients are abnormally decreased after they take daily doses of Wisconsin ginseng for a couple of months.
#2. Woody Ornamental’s also known as Wood Stems
These are mainly trees and shrubs whose branches are usually harvested and sold to florists or private citizens. The crop is usually used for the production of craft materials such as wreaths. They are perceived as some of the most profitable crops due to their ability to be harvested over and over again. Further, this type of crop comes in different kinds the holly in winter, pussy willows and forsythia in spring. Moreover, its ability to withstand vast weather conditions makes it an ideal crop to be produced in a small area. A production area of between ¼ acre to one acre piece of land can foster a return of up to $56,000 per acre.
Unlike the other annual crops like vegetables abs grains, woodies are perennial plants, they require very little maintenance after planting. Since they are considered as specialty crops, they tend to bring higher prices in the marketplace. When the right sequence of woody species is planted, stems can be reaped in every season to get more steady year-round income.
#3. Willows Plants
It is a type of a trouble-free tree that is easy to grow and maintain. The plant enjoys a strong sense of its shoots which is also known as rods or catkins. The stem is used for making basketry and fiber arts such as garden trellises and rustic willow furniture. If grown in one acre of land, a farmer can realize about $56,000 for every 4-5 tons of willows harvested.
As a rule, it’s judicious to be watchful when planting willows near any drains, water pipes or any other water features. Since they love moisture so much, the roots will naturally drift down towards these areas and possibly cause complications.
#4. Bonsai Plants
It requires small growing area due to its compact nature. Bonsai trees are the ultimate small plants despite the tree being sixty foot tall. A backyard measuring 40 by 50 feet can hold over 1,200 bonsai tree with each pot of the tree going for a price of between $30 and $60.
Though Bonsai plants are more delicate compared to any other indoor plant, a few basic rules should enable anyone to take care of its tree properly. Just make sure you pick the right tree species for your location and follow the basic care guidelines. Growing Bonsai plant has its own creative part and the difficult part. You need to understand the how to cultivate, shaping and styling it and take care of it while it grows.
#5. Lavender Plants
The farming of lavender can fetch growers with above average profit. This is because it is a versatile crop that can either be sold in bulk or used to produce oil. Given that lavender is a long-lasting herb with a lifespan of between 12-15 years, it enjoys a vast market opportunities across the globe.
For a small lavender grower using a 20’ by 20’ piece of land can produce up to 300 bunches of lavender in a year with earnings of about $1,800. On the other hand, a quarter-acre of land can produce about 3,000 bunches of lavender worth $18,000. Further, you should note the lavender is the highly profitable in the sense that it completely utilizes the piece of land, allowing nothing to go to waste.
#6. Gourment Mushrooms
They are highly considered as ideal specialty crops suitable for urban settings. This is because they can be comfortably grown indoors without using soil. The most famous and preferred type of mushrooms by small growers are oyster and shiitake. Although these kinds of mushrooms are not portable, they are considered as the most profitable crops due to the small space required for their growth and development. For example, a small grower using a 10’by 10’ space to grow mushrooms enjoy a price return of between $15,000 $17,500. That is projected at $6 and $7 per pound of every mushroom produced respectively.
One of the keys to having a successful mushroom-growing business is to ensure hygiene. There are many things that could possibly contaminate your mushrooms, but if you take special care, your mushrooms can grow up healthy and delicious.
#7. Landscaping Trees and Shrubs
These are usually used for the purpose of landscape plantings especially in the backyards of many homes. Their rate of success can be enjoyed on a small scale production. They are long-lasting and unique sets of designs. Given their state of uniqueness, this type of plant cannot be found at an average plant nursery, thus explaining the exorbitant prices charged for them. As a result of this, small-scale farmers can enjoy a significant amount of profit in the plant. For example, for every single sale of landscaping trees and shrubs, the farmer gets $15. That means, for every individual five-gallon pot a small grower produces, he/she gets about $100.
But it is also important to have a knowledge of the approximate size at maturity of the trees and plants normally used in landscape plantings. As the Mature size is greatly influenced by the length of the growing season, light, soil type, temperature, water, fertility, and many other factors. This makes it impossible to predict the exact mature size of a plant. Plants in dark areas will often grow taller with a thinner crown than ones growing in an open area. A plant not competing for light may eventually attain the same height, but is likely to be much wider.
#8. Bamboo Plants
They are considered as the most versatile form of landscaping plantings used in homes. For example, they are used as screens or stand-alone “specimen” plants or for hedges. Being a member of the grass family, bamboo is perceived as one of the most profitable crops to grow in a small area. For example, more than 600 bamboos can be produced in 5-gallon pots and cultivated in a 30’*40’ field space. Due to the increased demand for bamboos by landscapers and homeowners, a small-scale farmer can earn up to $150 for each potted bamboo plant.
Growing bamboo effectively is a simple and fulfilling task and can be accomplished in most situations. You only need to understand their placements, controlling their growth rate, taking care of it during odd seasons and fertilizing it at lease 2-3 time in a year.
#9. Garlic Plants
Garlic is used to make a variety of dishes to make it tastier. It has wonderful health benefits and can be dried to last for a long time. They are easy to propagate, grow and sell. Growers are mostly attracted to this type of plant mainly due to its ability to tolerate a broad range of soil and weather condition. As a result of this, it becomes very hard for a farmer to run a loss in the production of this crop. In one acre production of garlic, you can get between $6-$8 per pound of garlic produced.
Garlic prefers a location in full sun with a well-drained, light soil. Garlic bulbs will not tolerate water logging so dig in plenty of organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure or recycled green waste before planting. This will also provide nutrients for your garlic.
#10. Herbs Plants
They are used in different ways such as cooking, as medicine, for making soap, candles, for tea and bathing oils. The most common herbs grown by small-scale farmers are culinary, like basil, Chives, Coriander, Dill, Fennel, Mint etc., This as well is perceived as one of the most profitable crops. This is mainly due to its increased demand in the market. Most importantly, backyard herbs in the garden can be container grown in a bid to save space, time and water. In a growing garden bed of about 100 square feet of growing space, one can earn more than $2,400. That is because space can hold about 400 potted herb plants.
These are ten most profitable crops that can be grown in your backyard. They all can produce a substantial income every year, are in demand, and can be grown by anyone by giving the right care, with a bit of common sense and basic gardening skills. Any one of these profitable plants could bring in personal, fulfilling and financial rewards to any growers.
