| Estimated Cost |
$1500 to $3000 per acre |
| Market Outlets |
Food service, wholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own |
| Market Potential |
Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times |
| Yield Potential |
200- 600 45 lb cartons/ac |
| Profit Potential |
$0 to $1,000 per acre |
| Adapted Areas |
Statewide |
| Labor Requirements |
1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest; hand harvested. |
| Equipment Requirements |
Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, mulch applicator, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system (drip preferred) |
| Soil Requirements |
Sandy to medium textured soil with good drainage |
| Water Requirements |
15 to 20 inches water per acre during season |
| Minimum Size |
1 to 10 acres |
| Risk Factor |
Moderate to high |
| Other Limiting Factors |
Early freeze, weeds, diseases, rain and insects. Must have honey bees for crop pollination. Well adapted to plasticullture and drip irrigation. |
| Comments |
Wholesale costs range from 25 to 35 percent for growing and 65 to 75 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) |
