From Backyard Plot to Profit: How a Tiny Wisconsin Garlic Farm Yields 360 Pounds Aually
On a quiet 100-by-30-foot patch of land in Denmark, Wisconsin, Brian and Joaa Guza are proving that small-scale farming doesn’t mean small results. With just a fraction of an acre, they harvest 360 pounds of garlic yearly—enough to supply local markets, restaurants, and eager home cooks. Their secret? Hardneck garlic varieties, raised beds, and a meticulously timed growing cycle that turns a modest plot into a thriving micro-business.
This isn’t just a story about garlic—it’s a blueprint for maximizing yield on limited land, avoiding common pitfalls (like the 2019 flood that nearly ruined their first crop), and building a sustainable income from high-value crops. Whether you’re a homesteader, market gardener, or just curious about how to grow garlic for profit, their journey offers practical lessons in efficiency, resilience, and smart farming.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- How the Guzas turned a 3,000 sq. ft. plot into a garlic powerhouse
- The step-by-step garlic growing timeline (from October planting to July harvest)
- Why raised beds and hardneck varieties make all the difference
- Real-world challenges (floods, rot, and scape management) and how to overcome them
- How to sell garlic locally for maximum profit
- Scaling up: Could this model work for other crops?
By the end, you’ll see why garlic—often called the “gateway crop” for small farmers—might be the perfect addition to your own garden or farm. Let’s dig in.
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