Spring Prep, Small Farm Income Ideas, and the Quiet Rise of Asian Vegetables
Spring is finally here. Engines are firing up. Toolboxes are open. And the smell of diesel is back in the air. Whether you're in Georgia, the Carolinas, or up in the Midwest, you can feel it - that subtle pressure that comes with the start of a new season.
In the South, some folks never really stopped farming. Up North, the ground's still too wet, or maybe there's a stubborn snowdrift hanging on in the treeline. Either way, spring is when farmers start thinking, planning, tweaking. And if you're like a lot of growers I know, you're also wondering how to make this year count.
This post is part field notes, part troubleshooting checklist, and part idea board - especially for anyone looking for small farm income ideas that go beyond corn and beans.
Let’s Talk Liquid: Start-of-Season Maintenance Tips
I've worked with farmers across the country - selling seed, fertilizer, and running equipment through every corner of the Corn Belt. These days, I help folks grow specialty crops like Asian vegetables and Chinese vegetables for Organzo. But no matter what you're growing, one thing never changes: the season starts strong or it doesn’t start at all.
And most early-season breakdowns? They come from the liquid system.
Here are a few things I’ve learned to check before that first pass:
Pumps
If your pump's leaking or slow to build pressure, rebuild it. Seriously - $40 and 30 minutes now can save a full day later.
Valves and Motors
Is your system reacting slow when you change speed or rate? That’s usually a sticky valve or weak motor. Swap it before you're knee-deep in planting.
Hoses and Flow Meters
Cracked hoses are easy to miss until they’re spraying the side of your tractor. And flow meters? If they haven’t been flushed and recalibrated since last year, you’re probably not applying what you think you are.
Nozzles
Clean 'em. Every one. A partial blockage won’t show up on your monitor, but you’ll see it in the stunted rows later.
Testing the System Before You Hit the Field
Everyone says they “checked” their system, but did you really?
Here’s a better way to test:
Run liquid through each nozzle - watch it, not just the monitor.
Change your ground speed and watch if the rate keeps up.
Measure flow out of 3-4 different rows and compare.
Calibrate the flow meter if you haven’t since last season.
I used to skip these steps. Most of us have. But every time I did, it ended up costing time, yield, or both.
Asian Vegetables and Other High-Profit Crops
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. If you’re already thinking about how to squeeze more income from your land this year, it might be time to look at Asian vegetables.
I’m talking about bok choy, Napa cabbage, bitter melon, Chinese eggplant - stuff you don’t usually see at the co-op, but that’s in serious demand from ethnic grocers and specialty buyers across the Southeast.
These high-profit crops can work in small plots. Some can be harvested in 30-45 days. And the market is wide open in a lot of areas.
If you're looking for farm income ideas that don’t require overhauling your whole operation, adding a couple acres of Asian vegetables might be the ticket.
Final Thoughts from the Tractor Cab
Spring is busy. Stressful. Unpredictable. But it's also full of opportunity - if you prep right and stay curious. Maybe this is the year you try something new. Maybe it’s the year you fix that nagging rate control issue before it costs you. Or maybe it's the season you dip your toe into specialty crops and find a niche that works for your farm.
Whatever you’re doing out there, stay safe, take care of your equipment, and keep an open mind.
You never know where one good idea might take you.