How to Make Money Growing Your Own Vegetables

You can turn your love of gardening into a business effort.

Growing fresh vegetables is rewarding per se -- and it can also sprout a profit. A benefit of growing a garden is being able to sell excess to consumers while saving money. Making money growing vegetables requires skill and a lot of effort.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• Tables
• Boxes

Instructions

1. Cultivate and grow high-quality vegetables that are popular to your region. For example, tomatoes, corn and beans are popular vegetables that sell in Texas.

2. Sell your vegetables to a single store. Visit local grocery stores and ask if they would buy your vegetables. Set a reasonable price but do not expect a high rate. Selling to a retailer will make money, but you are not going to make much money as compared to selling vegetables yourself.

3. Bring your vegetables to a farmer's market alternatively. Choose a farmer's market that attracts a high volume of people. Make your booth and vegetables presentable to buyers. Display vegetables in nice boxes or crates. Create signs that are easy to read and clearly state what you are selling. Weigh the vegetables on a scale to set prices.

4. Invite people to your garden to pick their own vegetables. Set a price per pound on your vegetables or give special discounts to customers who buy in bulk. You may need to provide a clean restroom and a place for people to wash their hands. Check the laws in your area before choosing this type of service.

5. Set up a roadside stand. Pick vegetables that are in season and check vegetables for their quality. Do not bring vegetables that appear in bad condition or vegetables that are not ripe. Sell vegetables out of a truck or set up an appealing table close to your garden. Make signs that clearly designate what you are selling and how much you are charging. Check local zoning rules in your area because certain restrictions may apply.

6. Design fliers advertising your vegetables. Store and can vegetables to sell friends and family members. Solicit business from neighbors and let people know where to get your fresh produce. Develop a name for yourself, create a business and stand out from the crowd. Obtain a small business license.

Tips & Warnings

• Place vegetables together according to color to create a nice display.

References

• University of Minnesota Extension: How to Sell Your Crops: Marketing
• Iowa State University Horticulture Guide: Selling Fruits and Vegetables