Estimated Cost |
$800 to $1000 per acre up to harvest |
Market Outlets |
Food service, wholesale, grocery store, farmer’s markets, roadside, pick-your-own |
Market Potential |
Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times |
Yield Potential |
250-300 55lb cartons/ac |
Profit Potential |
$0 to $1,000 per acre |
Adapted Areas |
Statewide |
Labor Requirements |
1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest |
Equipment Requirements |
Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system |
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 5 acres |
Risk Factor |
Moderate to high |
Other Limiting Factors |
Early freeze, weeds, diseases, rain and insects. Must have honey bees for crop pollination. |
Comments |
Wholesale costs range from 20 to 30 percent for growing and 70 to 80 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) Cucumbers have a spring and fall season in most areas of Texas. |