You can purchase the supplies necessary to make a raised garden bed at a garden supply store. Typically raised beds are sold in kits and can be semi-complete (ie supply aluminum siding, but you provide the lumber), or complete kits which come in cedar, composite wood, recycled plastic, etc. Instructions on how to construct the bed will be included in the kit. [1] X Research source Raised beds range in depth, starting at around 6 inches. Generally, the deeper the bed the better and fuller the plants will grow. If you plan to put a raised garden bed on concrete, you should look to get a deep bed no less than 10-12 inches. [2] X Research source
Research the vegetables you are planning to grow and make sure you space them far enough apart to gain the maximum yield. [3] X Research source Read the seed packets. They will give specific information regarding planting and spacing. [4] X Research source
Other compatible crops include tomato, basil, and onion.
Inconsistent watering can reduce yields in most vegetables and certain vegetables, such as cucumber and lettuce, will taste bitter. The best way to water a vegetable garden is by installing a drip irrigation system and setting it on a timer so that plants get water at the same time each day.
In the early spring, while vegetable plants are still small, you should weed the garden about once per week. [7] X Research source By the height of the summer you will not need to weed as frequently. It is a good idea to check in on your vegetable garden daily and pull out weeds as they appear. Weeds are easiest to pull out when they are still relatively small, making it important to monitor your garden for weeds on a regular basis.
Each farmer’s market also has a different vibe. For example, some markets cater to busy shoppers who are in a rush and others develop a community vibe with music and games for kids and families. Choose a market that works for you!
Start small: when you first start selling at a market don’t have too much produce or invest in a large tent. You want to test the market and find out how much you will need before spending a lot on decorations. Display your vegetables in groups to make blocks of colour: For example, bright vegetables, such as bell peppers, catch the customer’s eye and should be placed together. Design your stand: Make signs to name and price all of your crops. Drape a colourful table cloth over your table in order to make the display more visually appealing and to hide stored items under the table. [9] X Research source Hand out recipes that use your produce. Find your niche: Sometimes it helps to specialize in a specific product, for example, varieties of garlic, or package your vegetables in a unique way (ie wicker baskets). [10] X Research source Connect with the customers: Be friendly to your customers. Tell them stories about how your products are farmed, and show pictures of the farm in order to connect them to the growing process. [11] X Research source
Make sure that your stand is visible to cars as the drive by. Ensure that there is a space for cars to pull over and park at the side of the road Situate your stand near your garden so that customers can actually see the vegetables growing. Decorate your stand with flowers, well labelled products, and garden tools. You can sell produce with blemishes at a discounted price. It is often difficult to sell vegetables with minor blemishes at a farmer’s market. At a roadside stand, however, you could have a discount bin. This is a great way to make some money off of vegetables that are more difficult to sell. [12] X Research source Staff the roadside stand with a family member or consider a self serve stand in order to save on costs. [13] X Research source
Try opening a pick your own pumpkin patch during the fall season to attract families and increase sales. This type of selling can help you save on labour costs as the customer actively harvests their own produce, however, you will want to demonstrate how to pick the vegetables so that the customers do not damage your plants. Make sure there is ample parking and signage for your customers. [14] X Research source
Try advertising your CSA at a local farmer’s market in order to gain customers. Produce a weekly newsletter to describe the vegetables your customers will receive each week. You can provide them with information about growing crops, and how to incorporate the fresh crops into their meals. Give customers recipe cards that will provide them with examples of how to prepare and cook the vegetables each week.
This is an excellent option if you are not comfortable communicating and networking with customers.
Allow the chef or restaurant owner to taste and try your vegetables so that they know they will be getting a quality product. Invite them to tour the farm so that they can see how the vegetables are grown and understand what types of chemicals, if any, are used in the growing process. Ask the chef what type of produce they would be interested in purchasing and see if you can accommodate their requests.
Check out this website for information on laws in your state: http://forrager. com/laws/
