1. Season/climate: When selected crops grow? What crops grow best in our climate? Know if the crop likes cooler or warmer seasons, prefer long day/short days, or are they a year round crop?
2. The Market: Consider market demand. Can you sell your selected crops in the marketplace? Will you be able to get a decent price? Do you know where you will sell your product? It is always important to have a complete marketing plan before you plant your crops.
3. Labor needs: Who will be available to help you grow and sell your selected crops? When will they be available? How much work will they be willing to do? Will you have enough help to maintain a healthy crop? (Examples: fresh fruits = high labor need, cereal crops = low).
4. Other Production Costs: Will you be able to make a profit from your selected crops when considering other resource inputs, certification fees, equipment needed, irrigation, and overall management costs?
5. Pest susceptibility: Are your selected crops prone to major pests and diseases? Are there outbreaks of certain pests in the area? If there are, choose a crop that will not be greatly affected.
6. Personal preference: Take all of these into consideration but grow something that you enjoy and with which you have experience, or would like to develop expertise!