Thriving Farm: Gardening

Gardening and growing fruits is a business that doesn't require significant initial capital investment and, with a sensible approach and thorough research, can become profitable within the first three years.

This business can be started by residents of rural areas as well as city dwellers who can acquire land outside the city at a fairly affordable cost.

Since Soviet times, the classic size of a land plot was considered to be 6 acres, but if you decide to take gardening seriously and grow fruits on a larger scale for commercial purposes, it's advisable to purchase a plot of land starting from 1 hectare. It is important to assess your capabilities correctly and understand how much land you can realistically cultivate with your existing resources.

On average, setting up an orchard, considering all preparatory stages, costs around $1,500-$2,000 per acre. With the right approach, the return on investment can reach 100%. Orchards can focus on fruits, berries, or a combination of both.

Which Fruits to Plant?

Apples of various varieties are the most popular choice due to their easy cultivation and lower market prices. Other types such as pears, cherries, and plums are more demanding in cultivation but fetch higher prices when sold.

There is a concept of "technical fruit varieties" grown not for direct sales but for processing into jams, wines, and juices. Selling freshly squeezed juices can also be a potential direction for your business.

Orchard Preparation

Before purchasing a plot, it's advisable to take a small soil sample for analysis to determine its quality, composition, and suitability for orchard cultivation.

Prior to planting, preparatory work includes:

• First, plow the land to normalize the air regime, then add mineral and organic fertilizers. It is essential to clear the soil of weeds and excess plants.
• Most specialists advise against planting a new orchard immediately after removing old trees. Let the soil rest to ensure new trees establish well and receive essential nutrients for rapid growth. To optimize fertilizer costs, it's better to distribute them just before planting in the prepared holes.
• Attention should be given to the positioning of trees in the orchard to maximize future yields. Some trees do not thrive together, while certain apple varieties, for example, can only bear fruit when planted alongside similar trees.
• Tree planting is usually done in spring or autumn.
• Prior to planting, it's crucial to prepare not only the soil but also the seedlings by treating their roots with special stimulant solutions like Rootin or Heteroauxin.

Recommendations for Choosing Seedlings

• Avoid buying seedlings from markets or roadside vendors; opt for reputable nurseries instead.
• Healthy, well-branched roots are crucial, not dry or frost-damaged. The optimal length of a seedling's root system is 30 cm. A white root indicates health, while a brown or gray color signifies damage that may affect survival or future fruiting.
• The stem should be straight, smooth, and free from any damage.
• Ensure the seedling is suitable for the region where you intend to plant it. Certain varieties may not thrive in different climatic zones.
• Consider the growth habit of the seedling - dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard. Beginners are advised to start with dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties due to their hardiness, frost resistance, and quicker yields.

Equipment

While there is a range of equipment required for orchard farming, it's advisable to prioritize essential items initially. However, having better equipment simplifies and enhances efficiency in operations.

• Tractors of varying power levels based on functionality. Since tractors are not regularly needed, renting them when required is a cost-effective option.
• Fertilizer spreaders
• Plant protection systems (sprayers)
• Irrigation systems
• Fruit harvesting platforms, carts, baskets, pruners
• Fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers for surface application, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers for deeper soil layers)

Product Marketing

Common marketing channels include:

• Markets
• Retail stores
• Supermarkets

It's important to note that summer and autumn varieties may have lower demand and sell at competitive prices, whereas winter varieties can fetch higher prices during scarcity periods. Thus, in some cases, cultivating winter varieties and factoring in storage costs (warehouse rental) to sell products in winter and spring can be more profitable.

Gardening, though labor-intensive, is a highly profitable business that doesn't demand substantial investments and carries relatively low risks. Consider exploring other agricultural business ideas related to farming enterprises.

If you found this article useful, you can share it on Vkontakte or Facebook or with friends. Hopefully, it will aid you in commencing your own gardening business and achieving success.