Market garden

**1. Market Gardening Overview:**
– Market gardens traditionally contrast with larger branches of farming.
– The term ‘truck farm’ originated from the old French word ‘troquer’.
– Market gardens are typically close to the markets they serve.
– Market gardens have a history dating back to the 18th century.
– Market gardens offer a diverse range of fresh produce to consumers.

**2. Business Aspects of Market Gardening:**
– Wholesale market sales earn 10-20% of retail price, while direct-to-consumer sales earn 100%.
– Efficient market gardens can earn significantly higher revenue compared to conventional farms.
– Larger market gardens supply supermarkets, food cooperatives, and farmers markets.
– Urban sprawl poses challenges to market gardens close to cities.

**3. Social and Economic Impact:**
– Market gardening is valued as a high social utility occupation in some countries.
– Immigrant groups often engage in market gardening to enter the market economy.
– Market gardens provide a steady supply of fresh produce through the local growing season.
– Market gardens offer a wide variety of crops grown on a small area of land.

**4. Alternative Lifestyle and Operations:**
– Market gardening has become an alternative business choice for individuals.
– Market gardening requires a smaller start-up investment compared to commercial farming.
– Market gardening can be a profitable and sustainable business model.
– Market gardens rely on manual labor and gardening techniques.

**5. Market Garden Operations in North America and Beyond:**
– Market gardens involve planting approximately 20 different crops throughout the season.
– Harvesting is done at least weekly, by hand, sometimes with part-time help.
– Larger market garden operations range from 10 to 100 acres and often run by a full-time farmer or farm family.
– Tractors are relied upon for many tasks in larger-scale market gardens.