Backyard Market Gardening

Golden Lion on Sun, 15th Aug 2010 4:31 pm 



For eight years, Lee averaged 110 cubic years of compost per season. Each year Lee added 5,000 square feet of garden. The idea was to cash in on new farmer markets in Boston Neighborhoods. In 1988, Lee had nearly one acre planted and grossed $36,000 and that average out to 50 hours a week or 12 an hour. Don’t be afraid of creating too much competition. Growers are currently only serving 1 to 3 percent of the market with organic foods. The number of acres dedicated to growing organic foods amounts to less than 1 percent of the national agricultural land base. Organic foods include more than 200 varieties of vegetables, 1,000 varieties of flowers, and close to 100 different herbs, several distinct growing methods, and at least 10 prime marketing methods. 97 percent of the market buys from the supermarket.

Tomatoes grown organically have five times more calcium and 2,000 times more iron than conventionally grown tomatoes. 16 commonly known trace elements are: boron, calcium, carbon, chlorine, copper, hydrogen, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and zinc. Without the proper balance of soil pH, moisture, naturally occurring soil minerals, and biological activity, the nutrients may remain locked in the soil and usages of compost is one of the best ways to increase humus levels. Compost provides a healthy, nutrient-filled environment for the plant roots. You need 3 cubic yards of cow manure for every 1,000 square feet of garden. A 1,000 square feet of garden can grow 100 tomato plants. After three years of manure, tomato plants yield 14 pounds per plant; and in super rich soil, potatoes yield 5 pounds per plant. To get 65 yards of compost, 200 cubic yards of raw materials will need to be formed into a 4 foot piles, 10 feet wide, and 200 feet long.

In 1990 the farm had four hogs. After a year the hogs are moved and rock phosphate is added. Potatoes and strawberries are planted first; wood ash is added and two years of peas and beans replenish nitrogen in the soil; and in the fourth year the plot is ready for any crop.

Rating: 5 / 5

Carmen Iris on Sun, 15th Aug 2010 5:24 pm 



This is a good book to have if you decided to get back to nature, downsize your life, get with it or just make ends meet when food prices are going up, up, up. Just know that it takes a lot of work, especially if you are into organic. That said, this is a good start on making money with gardening when you don’t have a acres of land. My lot is 1/3 of an acre and it is quite productive. This book helps you make the best of what you have. I recommend it. I didn’t give it five stars because it doesn’t have all that much that’s new to me, but then again I read a lot.
Rating: 4 / 5

Ellen M. Milberger on Sun, 15th Aug 2010 5:37 pm 



Excellent reference on how to maximize your crop production as well as how to market yourself and your produce. Very enjoyable read. I’m very glad I bought this book. Even if you’re just thinking about the future and not sure you want to sell your produce, its an invaluable guide. It tells the truth about what to expect and the amount of work it will take.
Rating: 5 / 5

Ian Neill on Sun, 15th Aug 2010 6:11 pm 



Although the costs and prices in the book are out of date they are still useful. Especially the table of comparative returns for different crops per square foot. And the cost benefit of different types of production.

A really worthwhile read for anyone considering their garden.
Rating: 5 / 5

Book Addict on Sun, 15th Aug 2010 7:12 pm 



I got a lot of ideas on how to work a small acreage successfully. I hope to put these ideas into practice starting next year. The book got me to thinking creatively.
Rating: 5 / 5

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