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Unlocking Profit Potential: How to Diversify Your Farm with Woody Ornamentals

In the world of farming, diversification is the name of the game, and it can be a game-changer for small farms looking to boost profitability. One fantastic way to diversify your farm is by incorporating woody ornamentals into your offerings. These are trees and shrubs cultivated exclusively for the floral and cut flower industry, offering a range of benefits and opportunities.

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Why Add Woody Ornamentals to Your Farm?

Grow Woody Ornamentals for Profit: Our Best Tips | GroCycle

Product Diversification

Woody ornamentals are a valuable addition to any flower farm or homestead. They expand your product range and cater to the same customer base you’ve already established. This diversification strategy can bring in new revenue streams without the need for expensive investments in high tunnels or advanced growing tools.

Extended Harvest Season

These ornamental plants also extend your harvest season. Many of them exhibit stunning autumn foliage or are best harvested after the first fall frosts. This natural season extension is a boon for small farms and produce farms, allowing you to serve your customers longer and better.

Venture into Nursery Business

Woody ornamentals offer the opportunity for propagation and sales as landscaping plants. This opens the door to the nursery business, making your farm even more versatile and profitable.

Sprinter® - Boxwood - Buxus microphylla | Proven Winners

  • Boxwood: Often seen as a suburban yard shrub, boxwood is a versatile and popular choice for florists and wreath-making.

  • Eucalyptus: Ideal for warmer zones, eucalyptus serves both the cut flower industry and beauty and bath product markets. Note that it can be invasive, so plant with care.

  • Quince: This beautiful blooming ornamental can be forced to bloom earlier by harvesting stems with tight flowering buds and immersing them in warm water. This extends the availability of this product, making it an attractive choice for florists.

  • Forsythia: No longer just an iconic shrub in grandma’s garden, forsythia is a vigorous and fast-growing ornamental that yields numerous yellow flowered stems. They are easy to grow and can be sold for a good profit to florists.

Diversification is the key to a thriving farm. Adding woody ornamentals to your offerings not only widens your product range but also extends your harvest season and opens doors to new business opportunities. Consider these woody wonders to diversify your farm and boost your profits.

To discover how you can Diversify Your Farm By Growing Woody Ornamentals and harness the potential of these beautiful and profitable plants, start by exploring the varieties that suit your region and market demand. Happy farming!

Common Challenges in Woody Ornamental Cultivation

Diversify Your Farm By Growing Woody Ornamentals – Hobby Farms

Adding woody ornamentals to your flower farm or homestead is a savvy move for product diversification. These unique offerings can be marketed to your existing customer base, enhancing your product range. Additionally, woody ornamentals extend your harvest season, a valuable asset to your farm.

Here’s why you should consider it:

  • Product Expansion: Woody ornamentals are a fresh addition to your farm’s repertoire, appealing to your existing customers.

  • Extended Harvest Season: Many of these ornamentals display striking autumn foliage or thrive post-fall frosts, naturally prolonging your selling season.

  • Venture Potential: Propagate and sell them as landscaping plants, creating opportunities to expand into the nursery business.

Diversify your farm with woody ornamentals – it’s a smart move that benefits both your bottom line and your customers.

What are woody ornamentals?

Woody ornamentals are the predominant group of plants in the world of landscaping. They face various environmental challenges, including drought, extreme temperatures, and light imbalances. Moreover, they can encounter cultural issues such as incorrect plant selection and suboptimal placement or maintenance practices.

Can trees and woods help diversify farm income?

While farmers have traditionally viewed trees and woods as unproductive assets, the current economic landscape encourages a reevaluation of their potential to diversify farm income. Trees and woods offer opportunities to both increase revenue and cut costs. Here are some examples to consider:

  • Firewood: A valuable source of income from your wood resources.

What does it mean to diversify your farm?

What Does Farm Diversification Entail?

Farm diversification is the strategy of avoiding overreliance on a single income source, thus mitigating risk by cultivating multiple revenue streams. Common approaches involve establishing farm shops and offering venue rentals, creating valuable alternatives when factors like adverse weather or unfavorable commodity prices affect the primary harvest. Is farm diversification the right choice for you?

What type of fertilizer should I use on woody ornamentals?

You have the flexibility to choose either natural (organic) or synthetic fertilizers for woody ornamentals. For detailed insights into various fertilizer types, refer to chapter 1, "Soils and Plant Nutrients." It’s essential to keep in mind that while fertilizer promotes new growth, it can pose a risk to the roots of ornamentals during periods of drought stress.

What is the most common farm diversification?

Among the most straightforward and widely embraced farm diversification methods is establishing a farm shop to sell your locally grown produce. The elements essential for a thriving farm shop are often readily available on many farms: a consistent supply of fresh produce, an authentic touch, and a strong community presence.

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