Get your garden tools ready for the easiest cash crops to grow!
If you paid attention in history class, you might recognize the term cash crop. I wasn’t really aware that it was something still used, but when I think about it, it makes sense because there are certain crops that yield cash. It’s not rocket science. I think people involved in farming are really admirable considering I hate going outside. I also don’t like bugs, so nature and I don’t really get along well. I like benefiting from those who like it, though. As someone who pretty much exclusively eats bread, I really need the wheat farmers producing the crop so I can eat toast all day in bed.
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There are so many different types of crops. If you have a vast amount of land, you can enter into this lucrative business. The crops you choose to grow depend greatly on where you live and the climate, so it’s important to note that if you’re looking to be a farmer or even just have a single plant in your backyard. You could even grow some of the easiest edible plants to grow indoors if you really want to get fancy with it.
In order to create this list, we checked out sources like Pinterest, Answer the Public, and Permies. For ranking purposes, we looked at how many days it takes for the crops to reach maturity. The crops that take the least amount of time to reach maturity are at the top of the list because they’re theoretically easier to grow. However, it must again be noted that the easiest crops to grow are the ones that suit your location and the climate. It’s also important to know what type of soil is natural in your region. Some crops just don’t do well in certain areas. That being said, this list is based on some averages.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the easiest cash crops to grow.
11. Lavender
Days to reach full maturity: 90-120
There are many types of lavender, like English lavender, French lavender, Spanish lavender, and hybrids. You simply have to determine what type suits your terrain and climate. For example, English lavender is native to the Mediterranean and not in England. Lavender is a source of essential oil that’s best used for relaxation and on the skin.
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10. Cotton
Days to reach full maturity: 120-180
Cotton is best planted in the spring because it can’t tolerate the cold weather. You can easily plant this in the comfort of your own home, but you have to make sure you know proper care.
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9. Onions
Days to reach full maturity: 100-175
Onions that rank 9th on our list of easiest cash crops to grow are a common food item found in the kitchen. There’s high demand, so it’s a great choice. The bulbs form in warm weather and the tops grow during cold weather. You can harvest green onions in 20-30 days, but regular bulbs take 100-175.
8. Potato
Days to reach full maturity: 70-90 (early season), 90-135 (midseason), 135-160 (late season)
Potatoes are really easy to plant in empty barrels or even old car tires. They just must have an even, moist soil. Potatoes yield better in colder temperatures and there are three seasons in which you can harvest potatoes: early season, midseason, and late season.
7. Basil
Days to reach full maturity: 127 days
Basil is low maintenance and easily grown indoors. It’s a herb that adds aroma and flavor to food. It fully matures in mid-simmer, so it’s very friendly with warm weather.
6. Catnip
Days to reach full maturity: 84-105
Catnip, the next one on our list of easiest cash crops to grow is best planted in the fall and it typically attracts cats, despite the fact that not all cats enjoy catnip. You can also make tea with this. It’s definitely one of the easiest cash crops to grow.
5. Tomato
Days to reach full maturity: 100
A tomato’s maturity depends on the variety. For example, a Brandywine tomato takes 100 days to reach maturity. Tomatoes thrive in warm, sunny weather. They’re also processed and canned to produce other tomato products.
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4. Garlic
Days to reach full maturity: 90
We are continuing our list of easiest cash crops to grow with Garlic that is a flexible crop that can grow in any type of terrain, climate, and environment. It’s common in the kitchen, so there’s plenty of demand.
3. Tobacco
Days to reach full maturity: 60-90
It’s important to check local regulations for growing this crop and selling it, but it’s a great and lucrative idea. It only takes about two to three months to reach maturity.
2. Beet
Days to reach full maturity: 40-80
If you want to be like Dwight Schrute, you can start growing beets, which have a lot of health benefits. They can help relieve constipation and even dandruff. There’s a little extra work involved because you need to regularly weed so the beets can get all the nutrition they need, but other than that, they’re fairly low maintenance.
1. Bamboo
Days to reach full maturity: 60
Bamboo can be both eaten and used in interior design. Of course, you shouldn’t eat the matured bamboo if you’re not a panda, but you can eat the bamboo shoots cooked with coconut milk. You need to make sure you study up before growing this because you don’t need too much space.
That concludes our list of the easiest cash crops to grow. If you’re interested in starting your own small garden, you should try out one of these options.
