See the advantages and disadvantages of the three different methods utilized to grow tomatoes commercially.
There are three different options used to grow tomatoes commercially, with some options allowing for growing tomatoes year-round, according to a Growing Produce article. Growers can also utilize more than one option depending on their needs and the tomatoes grown to extend the growing season. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three options for growing tomatoes as a commercial grower below.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Methods to Grow Tomatoes
There are three different choices that a commercial grower can use to grow tomatoes, or even a combination of the three different methods. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. From the article, they are:
- Field Grown. Requires plenty of inexpensive, fertile land with a reasonably long growing season.
Advantages:
- Input costs are the lowest
- Profits can be the highest
- Lowest capital startup cost
Disadvantages:
- You’re at the mercy of the weather
- Input costs for diseases and pests could potentially be higher
- High Tunnel. Hoop houses are set up over tomato plants in the field temporarily to extend the growing season.
Advantages:
- Higher prices for your extra early harvest
- Continued income late into the fall before a hard freeze comes
- You can use them for other crops during the winter months, as climate zones allow
- Funding from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will pay for most of the construction costs
- Can provide protection from pests
Disadvantages:
- Higher startup costs
- Greenhouses. Permanent structures house tomato plants.
Advantages:
- Tomatoes and other crops can be grown all year round, even in colder areas
- All inputs are controlled
- Provide protection from pests and disease when efforts are taken to keep them out
- Higher prices for growing out of season
Disadvantages:
- The highest startup costs
- Continuing costs, such as for fuel for heating, irrigation system, etc.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.