If you enjoy cooking with herbs and growing plants at home, there is plenty of room to grow your passion at home for profit. While some of today’s best herb gardeners also have lots of space to devote to their work, it still is quite possible for even a home gardener to see a decent return on their efforts when growing herbs for profit. There are lots of things to remember when you first get started, but if you keep these tips in mind, you will find that it is easier than ever to plant and then take proper care of your herbs for profit. By following this advice, you will be well on your way to seeing a substantial profit in your home herb business.
First, you should make sure that you have the right tools and supplies on hand before you even start herb gardening. For example, all herb gardeners need a variety of gardening gear such as a spade or digging trowels, seeds, a compost bucket, a hose, a hand pump, a hydrometer, fertilizer, a thermometer, a soil thermometer, and a pen to put the soil in. Along with your basic tools and supplies, a permaculture system is also an excellent idea. For those unfamiliar with the term, permaculture simply means “with living things in place” – in other words, your herb garden needs living things in place to grow. You might want to look into growing things like lettuce or strawberries to get a feel for what permaculture is like and if it might be something that would interest you.
Next, you should choose a spot for planting your chosen crops and research as much as you can about each herb you plan to plant so you know exactly how much space you’ll need and where it’s easiest for you to take care of each plant and its needs. When growing herbs for profit, you’ll need to watch them closely and make sure they receive plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients. Your seeds should be well-watered and have been exposed to plenty of sun before planting.
When it comes to watering your herb plants, there are many ways to go about this. You can use an inexpensive sprinkler head in your kitchen garden to get great results when cooking, or you can save money by watering your plants directly. Whichever way you choose, make sure that your soil is well-drained before beginning to plant your crop. One way to do this is to add a teaspoon of lime per 5-inch pot and fill the bottom of the pot with gravel so the water will go directly to the roots. Another method is to add a teaspoon of lime per 4-inch pot and fill the pot with water and sand; however, since this can get expensive, many gardeners prefer to water their herbs directly from the source.
Many of the herbs that are easier to grow in containers will also do well when planted in the outdoors. Herbs like dill, anise, fennel, chervil, and coriander will all do well when planted outside and will even taste better if they are harvested while they’re still fresh. For these plants, just remember that they will taste different than they would if they had been grown indoors. Herbs are very sensitive to drastic temperature changes, so be careful not to place them near a fireplace, especially if you live in a cooler part of the country. Many herbs will do well when planted in a shaded area; however, keep in mind that some herbs such as parsley and chives may start to turn colors if exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
The parsley herb is one herb grower’s best friend because it has many uses. When harvested fresh, it has a very mild flavor, which makes it ideal for juicing, stir-frying, or even using in various casseroles. Parsley is a part of Italian cuisine and is used in a wide variety of recipes. It is wise to harvest your parsley while it’s still green because when it is older, the leaves will begin to turn colors.
Another favorite among culinary herb growers is basil. It is most often used in Italian cooking, but it is also useful for making Mexican, Greek, and French food. Basil can be grown in a container or outdoors, but is most popular outdoors. To ensure that the plant gets the best growing environment, plant it in peat moss so that the roots don’t rot. In addition to growing herbs for profit, another great way to enjoy the culinary and medicinal benefits of herbs is by growing your own herb garden.
When you start growing herbs for profit, you can sell your plants at local farmer’s markets, home improvement stores, or online. You can also sell your plants at craft shows, beauty shops, and at various consignment shops. The only limit to what you can do with your herb garden is your imagination. Growing herbs for profit is a great way to save money and enjoy the health benefits of fresh homegrown herbs.