| There continues to be a high demand for quality | | | | could be you. In particular, people love finding |
| garlic. According to the Fresh Garlic Association, garlic | | | | products at the farmers' market that they're unable |
| is the second most used spice in America, just behind | | | | to find at their local supermarket. Spots fill up fast, so |
| pepper. So how can you make big profits with your | | | | if you're unable to reserve a spot at your local |
| garlic business? Here are five ways to get you | | | | farmers' market, consider asking another grower if |
| started: | | | | you can sell at their stand or stall. |
| 1. Grow the "hardneck" type of garlic | | | | 4. Grow organic |
| The two main types of garlic are hardneck and | | | | The popularity of organic plants is continuing to grow |
| softneck. Softneck, which usually produces smaller | | | | as people are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. |
| cloves, is the type usually found in stores. On the | | | | Patrons of farmers' markets typically love to find and |
| other hand, hardneck garlic typically does better in | | | | buy organic products. Your garlic will need healthy soil |
| colder climates and offers more flavor, so that's why | | | | to grow in, so stick to organic products, such as |
| it's the recommended type for small growers. The | | | | organic fertilizers and organic pest controls. |
| three types of hardneck include Rocambole, | | | | 5. Mail-order sales |
| Purplestripe and Continental. Experiment with | | | | If there is something special about the garlic you're |
| different varieties, and you'll soon find the ones that | | | | growing, you could see a lot of mail-order sales. As |
| bring you biggest profit. | | | | people everywhere are turning to garlic to live a |
| 2. Grow what people want | | | | healthier lifestyle, many are turning to mail-order to |
| Before you get growing, it's a good idea to talk to | | | | purchase exactly what they're looking for. Many |
| people and businesses in your area to find out just | | | | growers find success selling seed garlic to home |
| what they're looking for. Ask growers at the farmers' | | | | gardeners who are looking for exotic varieties, such |
| market, produce managers at co-ops, restaurants | | | | as Rocambole. Or maybe you've made some |
| chefs and more. It's true for any business, and it's | | | | value-added products with your garlic, such as flea |
| certainly true for a garlic business-you need to grow | | | | repellent for dogs. This is easy to make. Put about |
| what people want to buy. That's how you can make | | | | 6-8 ounces of "culls" (those less-than-perfect bulbs |
| a top profit. That way you're sure to be growing | | | | that aren't supermarket quality) into a mesh bag, and |
| profitable garlic plants. | | | | you're set. Place an ad in a dog magazine, or work |
| 3. Farmers' markets | | | | with the local pet stores and you could soon see a |
| Farmers' markets routinely draw big crowds eager to | | | | lot of garlic sales coming your way. |
| buy the best products from the best growers. That | | | | |