Monday, November 11, 2013

The Best Vegetables for Profit





Growing and selling your own vegetables can be a profitable business, helping to supplement your income or helping to start a thriving agricultural enterprise. Invest in leafy greens and herbs, as these crops tend to be most profitable and can easily be grown in a home garden.

Cilantro
Cilantro sells for $21.20 per square foot. The average cost for a packet of cilantro seeds is $2.25 per 200 seeds, netting you a profit of about $18.95 per square foot. You should plant cilantro seeds 5 cm apart from each other, allowing you to plant 186 seeds per square foot. Cilantro will start budding 2 to 3 weeks after planting, and thrives in milder climates. Avoid freezing temperatures and extreme heat.

Arugula-Roquette
Arugula-Roquette, a leafy vegetable, sells for $20.92 per square foot. Arugula costs about $3 per 500 seeds, netting you a profit of about $20.80 per square foot. Initially, plant the seeds 1 inch apart, and after 5 to 7 days when the seeds have started to germinate, replant the seedlings 6 inches apart, which will give you about 24 plants per square foot. Time to harvest is about 30 to 40 days.

Chives
Chives, a member of the onion family, sell for $16.40 per square foot. A package of 750 seeds goes for about $2. Chives grow best in clumps, so plant 6 seeds per bunch per square foot, netting you a profit of about $16.38 per square foot. Seedlings will sprout within 10 days of planting.

Dill
Dill also sells for $16.40 per square foot. Dill seeds cost about $4 per 900 seeds. After two weeks following planting, you will see the dill plants start to emerge from the ground. Uproot these saplings and plant them 9 inches apart. This should give you four plants per square foot, netting you a profit of about $16.38 per square foot. Dill plants are ready to be harvested in 4 to 6 weeks after replanting.