STOP Growing Tomatoes! These 7 Plants Make 50x More Profit

Summary

This video reveals seven high-profit crops you can grow in a small backyard, offering a potential passive income stream. The crops, including goji berries, saffron, sea buckthorn, wasabi, ground cherries, lemon verbena, and mosh, each come with unique challenges and high rewards. From careful growing techniques to market strategies, the video covers everything, from soil needs to harvesting tips. The key to success is focusing on one crop that fits your space and climate, avoiding the burnout of trying to grow all seven. With the right strategy, these crops can turn your garden into a money-making venture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Goji berries are a high-profit crop that thrives in zones 3–10, can yield up to 6 lbs of fruit per plant by year 3 or 4, and can be sold for $25–$40 per lb.
• 😀 Saffron crocus is one of the highest value crops per square foot, with bulbs costing $0.50–$1 each, and after planting 50 bulbs, you can start growing your inventory.
• 😀 Sea buckthorn berries are packed with vitamins and omega-7 but can be destructive to structures due to aggressive root systems. The solution is to plant them far from buildings and use the 'cut and freeze' harvesting method.
• 😀 Real wasabi (wasabi japonica) can sell for $100–$160 per lb but is very difficult to grow, needing specific shade, moisture, and temperature conditions. However, selling the leaves can offer early returns.
• 😀 Ground cherries are a high-yield, tropical-flavored crop that should be grown like tomatoes, but you must wait for the fruit to fall to the ground for it to ripen.
• 😀 Lemon verbena, with its strong lemon scent, is a popular herb for mixologists. It can be grown in pots and sold as fresh bundles or dried for tea blends.
• 😀 Mosh (corn salad) is a cold-weather crop that can be harvested in the dead of winter. Its delicate nature and gritty leaves require careful washing or hydroponic systems for cleaner harvests.
• 😀 High-profit crops are often high-effort or come with risks. Be prepared for challenges like aggressive roots, picky growing conditions, and time-consuming harvesting processes.
• 😀 The most profitable crops often require specialized knowledge and growing conditions, making them difficult to scale without substantial effort and experience.
• 😀 Start small with a $50 budget, choose one crop that fits your climate and space, and master it before expanding into other crops.

Q & A

Why is growing common crops like potatoes and carrots not a profitable venture for small gardeners?

Small gardeners cannot compete with commercial farmers who grow potatoes and carrots in large quantities. These crops are cheap to produce at a large scale, making it difficult for small-scale growers to profit from them.

What is the key to making money from a small garden or backyard?

The key is to grow crops that are unique or uncommon, which larger commercial farmers cannot or do not grow. This way, small gardeners can tap into niche markets with higher-value crops.

What makes goji berries a profitable crop for small gardens?

Goji berries are rare in supermarkets because they are fragile and difficult to ship. They can sell for $25 to $40 per pound at farmers' markets, and a small backyard can yield significant profits from just a few plants.

What are the main growing requirements for goji berries?

Goji berries thrive in zones 3 to 10, prefer full sun, and need well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. They can withstand both cold winters and hot summers but should not be planted in heavy clay soil that retains water.

What is the risk involved with growing goji berries?

Goji berries are invasive, as their root systems send out runners that spread uncontrollably. If planted in the ground, they can become a nightmare to manage and damage the garden.

How can you effectively grow and manage goji berries in a small space?

The best approach is to grow goji berries in large containers like fabric pots to prevent them from spreading uncontrollably. Regular pruning is also essential to keep the plants productive and manageable.

Why is saffron considered one of the highest value crops per square foot?

Saffron is incredibly valuable because it requires a large number of flowers (about 150) to produce just one gram of dried saffron, which can sell for $10 to $20 per gram. Additionally, the bulbs multiply each year, increasing the crop's inventory over time.

What challenges do growers face when cultivating saffron?

The main challenge is the backbreaking labor involved in harvesting the saffron flowers by hand and plucking the tiny red threads from each flower. This process is time-consuming and requires careful attention to detail.

What is a practical solution to make saffron cultivation easier?

Planting saffron in waist-high raised beds can reduce the physical strain of harvesting. This allows for easier and more efficient harvesting without having to crawl on the ground.

How can sea buckthorn be a profitable crop despite its invasive nature?

Sea buckthorn berries are nutrient-dense and have a wide range of uses, including in health supplements and as a superfood. However, the plant's invasive root system can cause structural damage, so it's important to plant it far from buildings and use proper harvesting methods.

What is the best method to harvest sea buckthorn without injury?

The best method is to freeze the entire fruit-laden branch, then bang it against a bucket to release the berries without damaging them or injuring yourself on the sharp thorns.

Why is wasabi considered a high-risk, high-reward crop?

Wasabi is extremely picky about its growing conditions. It needs constant shade, perfect drainage, and cool temperatures. If any of these conditions are not met, the plant can die, making it a risky crop to grow. However, its high market price makes it highly profitable if successful.

What is the potential issue with growing wasabi, and how can it be mitigated?

The main issue with wasabi is its slow growth and delicate nature. It can take up to two years for the root to mature. One way to mitigate the risk is to sell the leaves, which are edible and can be sold to chefs while waiting for the roots to grow.

Why are ground cherries an attractive crop for small gardeners?

Ground cherries are easy to grow, self-seed, and produce large quantities of fruit. The fruit has a long shelf life and can be marketed to local bakeries or used to make jams.

What is the challenge of harvesting ground cherries, and how can it be overcome?

The challenge is that ground cherries only ripen when they fall to the ground, and collecting them from the dirt can be tedious. Using a clean catch tarp under the plants helps collect ripe fruit without bending over repeatedly.

What are the risks associated with lemon verbena cultivation?

Lemon verbena is sensitive to frost and can die if exposed to freezing temperatures. Additionally, it may appear dead during the winter, leading some people to mistakenly discard it. However, it will revive in the spring if properly cared for.

How can small-scale growers sell lemon verbena for profit?

Lemon verbena is valuable to craft cocktail bars, where it is used for its strong lemon aroma in drinks. It can also be dried and sold as an herbal tea ingredient.

What makes mosh (corn salad) a profitable winter crop?

Mosh is a cold-hardy crop that can be grown in the winter when other crops are not available. It is highly valued by fine dining restaurants, which pay a premium for its unique taste and texture as a salad garnish.

What is the main challenge of growing mosh, and how can it be addressed?

The main challenge is cleaning the dirt and grit that accumulate on the leaves. To solve this, growers can use hydroponics or mulch to minimize soil contact and reduce the need for excessive washing.