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The last two summers I worked on small scale farms, known as market gardens. I learned a lot about gardening by working on these farms. Now that winter is quickly approaching farmers are covering up crops to winter over, and planning for the spring ahead.
This winter I am taking some time off to begin planning a small farm of my own, with the goal of creating an income from home. As previously mentioned, my income from the past couple of years has been very low. By starting my own farm I hope to double or triple my current income. I plan to grow produce to sell to restaurants, at farmers markets, and from home at a roadside stand. I also plan to grow cut flowers to compliment my produce at farmers markets and at my farmstand.
A market garden is a small scale farm that uses less mechanization and focuses on the use of hand tools, and planting crops densely. Much closer to gardening. Many would not believe farming an acre or less could be profitable, but it can be. With the use of good compost and soil, books and mentorship. You can grow your own market garden. Many of my mentors come from books and social media.
Some of the best books I’ve read on market gardening are:
The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier: I listened to this book on Audible three times before I purchased the book so I could reread it with the pictures, diagrams and charts. JM explains how he and his wife make a living farming on 1.5 acres. Selling produce to farmers markets and in a 200 member CSA (community supported agriculture) box.
The Urban Farmer by Curtis Stone: I just finished my first read of The Urban Farmer. This book describes the practices used to grow many high value crops including greens, roots, and tomatoes on less than a quarter of an acre. A great contrast to The Market Gardener. Curtis Stone also creates YouTube videos which help you conceptualize his methods and dig deeper into the practices he writes about in his book.
Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Benzakein & Chai: The first two books listed are all about small scale vegetable production and this book is just as it sounds, a guide to growing cut flowers. Floret farm focuses on small scale flower farming. This book is for anyone who wants to improve their own home flower garden, wants to farm, or anyone who loves flowers and just wants to look at the pictures, as the photography is simply beautiful.
So this winter pour yourself a cup of tea, or make a bowl of soup, curl up and start studying up on gardening or another favorite hobby. When the days are short and cold create a warm corner of your house for daydreaming, planning and enjoy slow days reading.
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