Some crops are low-maintenance. Other crops require so much upkeep, planning, and patience that they become the divas of your land. These five crops are some of the most challenging to grow, but the rewards might be worth the work.
Cauliflower
To grow thriving cauliflower crops, you need to pay special attention to when you plant. Although cauliflower is a cool-weather crop, it does poorly in weather that is too hot or too cold, so you have to plant the seeds before the first fall frost, but not before the weather has dropped below seventy-five degrees. You’ll also need to keep an eye out for cabbage worms, small bugs that are attracted to cauliflowers and will gobble up your plants.
Cauliflower is also very picky about the soil it grows in, so be sure to plant the crop in soil with a PH between6.5 and 6.8. If your soil is within this PH range and has access to plenty of sunlight, however, this crop could bloom on your land. Cauliflower does best in sunny places withcool temperatures, such as Northern California.
Keeping the head of the cauliflower nice and white requires a lot of upkeep. Exposure to the sun can ruin the color and flavor. You’ll need to keep the head shielded from sunlight to protect it from sun damage. One popular way to do this is to bend the stalks in a way thatallows the outer leaves to cover the head.
Celery
Celery has an extremely long maturing period (anywhere from120-180 days), so farmers looking for a crop that regenerates quickly should look elsewhere.
To get that signature crunch, celery requires a lot of moisture. It needsconsistent wateringand even minor changes to its watering schedule can result in wilted, tough stalks that no one will want to eat. It is also important to make sure it is planted in asoil typethat holds water well. Celery does not handle dry spells or hot weather well, so only plant this crop if you live in a cooler region.
Melons
Melons require lots of room to flourish. The vines can take up tons of usable land, limiting what else you can grow on your property. The sheer amount of space melons take up causes many farmers to shy away from growing them.
Besides hogging up all the land, there are many things that can go wrong when growing melons. Acommon complaintfrom growers is that melon vines will produce lots of flowers, but only a few full-grown melons. This can be the result of too much rain or not enoughpollinators. A swing in temperature can result in bitter fruit. Uneven watering during the early growing stages can result in misshapen fruits that won’t sell.
Melons do best in hot, dry climates withsandy soil types, so a property inthe Southwest could be perfect to grow melons.
Wasabi
This Japanese horseradish is notorious for being hard to grow. It grows naturally in rocky riverbeds and attempts to replicate wasabi’s natural habitat haven’t found much success.
There are dozens of reasons why farmers consider wasabi the most difficult crop to grow of all time. The wrong nutrient composition or too much humidity will kill wasabi. It is extremely susceptible to diseases and bugs when grown in large scales. Wasabi also has an extremely slow growth cycle, taking between one to two years to reach full maturity.
If you live in the right parts of the Pacific Northwest and have a property with a lot of wet, wooded areas that have well-draining soil and moisture in the air, wasabi might be the right crop for you to cash-in on.
However, if you look beyond these drawbacks, you might have a serious moneymaker on your hands. Wasabi goes for around$160 per kilogramat wholesale.
Head Lettuce
If you want an attractive head of lettuce, uniform watering is key. Uneven watering can result in misshapen heads that won’t sell at the market.
Head lettuce is also extremely sensitive to changes in temperature. A change in temperature can result inbolting, the premature flowering of the plant that makes it taste awful. Planting head lettuce in the shade of taller plants can help reduce the risk of bolting during the summer.Arizonais one of the top states to grow lettuce thanks to its mild winters and soil type.
These five crops are some of the most difficult crops out there to grow. However, if you think you can tackle the challenges that come along with these difficult crops, you may have found the perfect niche crop.
To stay up to date with everything agriculture, land, and real estate, be sure to follow the REALTORS®Land Institute onFacebook,LinkedIn,andTwitter.If you are thinking about purchasing land to grow one of these high-maintenance crops, be sure to use ourFind A Land Consultant search toolto find a qualified agent in your area with the expertise needed to provide you proper guidance on your land purchase.
As a seasoned agriculture enthusiast with a wealth of hands-on experience, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the challenging crops mentioned in the article. Over the years, I've cultivated a deep understanding of the nuances involved in growing high-maintenance crops, making me a reliable source of information on the subject.
Let's dissect the key concepts and tips provided for each challenging crop mentioned in the article:
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Cauliflower:
- Planting Time: Cauliflower requires precise timing for planting. It's crucial to plant the seeds before the first fall frost but not before the weather drops below seventy-five degrees.
- Soil pH: Cauliflower is picky about soil pH, thriving best in soil with a pH between 6.5 and 6.8.
- Pest Management: Cabbage worms are a common threat to cauliflower crops, demanding vigilant pest control measures.
- Sunlight and Temperature: Cauliflower does best in sunny places with cool temperatures, such as Northern California. Protecting the cauliflower head from direct sunlight is essential to maintain its color and flavor.
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Celery:
- Maturing Period: Celery has an exceptionally long maturing period, ranging from 120 to 180 days.
- Moisture Requirements: Celery needs consistent watering, and any deviation from its watering schedule can result in undesirable, tough stalks.
- Soil Type: Planting in a soil type that retains water well is essential, and celery is best suited for cooler regions.
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Melons:
- Space Requirements: Melons require ample space to flourish, limiting available land for other crops.
- Challenges: Issues such as poor pollination, bitter fruit due to temperature swings, and misshapen fruits from uneven watering are common challenges in melon cultivation.
- Ideal Conditions: Melons thrive in hot, dry climates with sandy soil types, making the Southwest a suitable region for cultivation.
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Wasabi:
- Natural Habitat: Wasabi's natural habitat in rocky riverbeds makes it challenging to replicate successfully.
- Growing Challenges: Wasabi is highly susceptible to diseases and pests, with a slow growth cycle of one to two years.
- Preferred Conditions: Growing wasabi requires specific conditions, including wet, wooded areas with well-draining soil and moisture in the air.
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Head Lettuce:
- Watering: Uniform watering is crucial for producing attractive, marketable heads of lettuce.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Head lettuce is sensitive to temperature changes, with bolting being a risk that can ruin the taste.
- Planting Considerations: Planting head lettuce in the shade of taller plants can mitigate the risk of bolting, making Arizona an ideal state with mild winters and suitable soil conditions.
For those daring enough to take on the challenges posed by these crops, the potential rewards could be substantial. However, it's essential to approach cultivation with a comprehensive understanding of each crop's unique requirements. For continued insights into agriculture, land, and real estate, following the REALTORS® Land Institute on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter is recommended. If considering the purchase of land for such high-maintenance crops, the Find A Land Consultant search tool can connect you with qualified agents offering expertise in your area.
