Why do farmers plant crops?

Improving productivity of field and forage crops. Ensuring sound use of natural resources, reducing soil erosion, and improving soil quality. Implementing newly developed and tested methods that improve soil on both conventional and organic farms.

How does a farmer choose what crop to grow?

Every year, farmers must decide what to plant. Farmers make planting decisions based on many factors. Chief among these are how do net returns compare from one crop to the next. The comparison depends on what yield you expect, what price you expect, and what the variable costs are.

How do farmers properly care for a vegetable crop?

Practices required for a vegetable crop growing in the field include cultivation; irrigation; application of fertilizers; control of weeds, diseases, and insects; protection against frost; and the application of growth regulators if necessary.

Why is it important to grow food crops?

Importance of Crop Production Agronomic crops provide the food, feed grain, oil, and fiber for domestic consumption and are a major component of U.S. export trade. Horticultural plants — those grown specifically for human use — offer variety to human diets and enhance the living environment.

How do farmers grow food?

Farmers use machines to plant and harvest crops. Some also use machines to feed or milk animals. Crop farmers grow grains, fiber, fruits, and vegetables. They till soil, fertilize, plant, spray, and harvest.

What month do farmers plant crops?

Cool season crops such as peas, lettuce, and spinach are planted in fall or late winter, while warm season crops such as beans and corn are planted in late winter to early spring.

What is the best fertilizer for a vegetable garden?

Fertilizer Selection Most gardeners should use a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. An example would be 10-20-10 or 12-24-12. These fertilizers usually are easy to find. Some soils contain enough potassium for good plant growth and don’t need more.

What is the easiest and fastest vegetable to grow?

5 Super Speedy Vegetables

Radishes. Sowing to harvest: 25 days. Radishes are one of the fastest vegetables, taking just three to four weeks to reach harvest time.
Salad leaves. Sowing to harvest: 21 days.
Bush beans. Sowing to harvest: 60 days.
Carrots. Sowing to harvest: 50 days.
Spinach. Sowing to harvest: 30 days.

How does a farmer make money?

Harvests (both wheat in the summer and then corn, soybeans and grain sorghum in the fall) are essentially a farmer’s only paydays. Some farmers will find other ways to make money like selling wheat straw for bedding or raising hay for feeding cattle, but harvests deliver the most substantial and important paychecks.