1. Basil. Basil tops the list as the most popular culinary herb. Basil is a very tender plant and should be kept indoors until there is no danger of frost. Growing basil starts in plug trays can work great for basil. Expect to be selling lots of these, so keep the fresh plants coming.

2. Chives. Standard chives are a steady seller. These will start to germinate after a week or so. And unlike basil, these can actually do quite well in cooler weather.

3. Cilantro. Cilantro is another popular culinary herb. In addition to its cooking values, it also has many other ones. It is particularly good for digestion and other medicinal values. Expect to sell lots of this at the Saturday farmer’s market.

4. Oregano. Oregano is one of the most popular herbs that you’ll find in Italian cooking. Unforgettable taste and aroma give this herb its main appeal. Oregano is a commonly used garnish for stews, soups, and gravies.

5. Parsley. Parsley is so popular it even has historical significance. The ancient Greeks used it at the athletic games, weaving it into victory crowns. They also fed it to their horses to make them run faster.

6. Catnip. Catnip is commonly used for cats, but can also be a soothing sedative for humans. It has been known to provide pain and stress relief and to also help with flu and cold symptoms.

7. Chamomile. Chamomile can make for a nice, soothing tea. It also has medicinal values, such as a digestive, sleep, and calming aid. Plus it’s very easy to grow!

8. Lavender. Lavender has so many uses it’s been called the “Swiss army knife” of herbs. The medicinal values include usefulness for skin care, women and children’s health, pain relief and nervous system conditions. The essential oil that is found in lavender is one of the top ten in the fragrance industry.

9. Marsh mallow. This sweet treat has many medicinal values too, such as being good for coughs and bronchitis, the digestive tract, and several skin conditions.

10. St John’s wort. St John’s wort is highly known as a mood-boosting substance, but it has many other values too. It is particularly useful for cold and flu prevention, immune support, and skin treatment. The healing ingredient in St John’s wort is called hypericin and is found in the top of the plant.

These are just a few of many profitable herbs to grow. Given the right care, these herbs can grow into something that will bring joy to your customers and put money in the bank. And before you know it, you’ll be on to success in the herbal business.

Source by Craig Wallin

First of all, think about what size pots you’re using. The traditional pot size is 3 to 4 inches, but using a larger one, such as 6 inches, will separate you from your competition, and it has many other benefits as well. Larger plants tend to survive better, because they have a heavier root system.

And also, think about what herbs you’re selling. Don’t offer too big of a selection. Maybe focus on a few and perhaps you can build a reputation as “that great Basil seller” or “she always has those beautiful Lavender plants.”

Now, think about how you sell your herbs. Also note, don’t feel like you have to have the lowest prices around. You do want to have good prices, but when many people see low prices, they think low quality.

The most profitable way is to sell them directly to the public, instead of wholesale. Depending on what your local laws will allow, maybe you can sell them right out of your backyard. You could advertise in the local classifieds section, offering a great deal that people won’t want to miss, and you’ll see the business come pouring in.

If your town doesn’t allow retail sales out of your home, well then have a garage sale, which most towns will allow. Just specify in your ad that you’re only selling herbs, so you won’t have people showing up looking for a computer or old pair of tennis shoes.

Another way to sell your herbs is through a fundraiser for a church or charitable cause. People usually don’t mind paying a higher price if they know some of the profits are going to a good cause. Donating 25% to 40% is a good number. The rest can go to you.

Your local farmer’s market will forever be one of the best ways to become a profitable herb grower. They draw large crowds eager for good deals and great products. You will most likely have to pay a fee for the space, but you’ll open yourself up to a potentially large amount of customers.

To keep the profits rolling in, build strong relationships with your customers. That personal, professional touch will keep them coming back for more. Consider making a flyer advertising what you have to sell, your prices, any deals you have (“4 or more plants – 30% discount!”), and how they can contact you. Or how about a business card, with a herbal recipe on the back. Your customers will less likely to throw it away if there is something of value on it.

Whatever you do, put your creative touch on it. Doing these things will keep the business flowing in and before you know it, you’ll be a profitable herb grower.

Source by Craig Wallin

First of all, you need a place for the plants to grow. You can build a mini-greenhouse/raised bed for under $300. It’s important to have access to the mini-greenhouse/raised bed from all sides and that it has plenty of sunlight, so don’t locate it next to a tree or other shaded area. A 40 inch wide by 30 foot long raised bed/mini-greenhouse is a good size. That’ll give you room for about 400 potted plants (it’s recommended you use six-inch pots – a bigger size will produce a bigger plant).

Next you’ll need a good mixture of potting soil. This mixture, used by many professional herb growers, should do the trick:

8 cubic feet topsoil. 8 cubic feet washed sand, 4 cubic feet perlite

12 cubic feet peat moss, 10 pounds dolomite lime, 10 pounds dry organic fertilizer

After you’ve decided what herbs you’d like to grow, you can buy herb seeds online from places such as Johnny’s Seeds and Richter’s. Be sure to focus on the most popular culinary and medicinal herbs to boost your sales.

Now you’re ready to begin growing! Soon those profits will be growing too. Many of your seeds will germinate within a week or two. Take good care of them, as you can sell the seedlings as herb starts within a month. Only use organic fertilizers. These will help your herbs with a low-stress growth rate. Also, every week during the growing season, apply a liquid seaweed or liquid fish emulsion as a foliar spray. This will provide healthy nutrients.

It’s also important not to over water your plants. Generally water them just once a day in the morning. Also be mindful of which herbs can still grow in cold weather and which ones might need to be started indoors.

When your herbs are grown, you’re ready to start selling them. Based on your local laws, maybe you can sell them right out of your own garden. Or perhaps you can set up a roadside stand. A charity fundraiser can be a great place to sell potted herbs and people are often willing to pay more for them if they know some of the profits are going to a good cause. The farmer’s market is another great place to get customers.

Consider placing an ad in the newspaper for your herbs. Make up flyers and put them up on local bulletin boards. Or consider having business cards printed. One successful grower puts a recipe on the back and found that customers are less likely to throw them out. Whatever you do, add your personal, creative touch, and you’ll find the customers will keep coming back.

In under a month you can be in the herb growing business. It’s really pretty easy too. Grow your herbs and get out and start selling them! Soon enough you could be on your way to big profits.

Source by Craig Wallin

1. Gather materials

First of all, you’re going to need a mini-greenhouse/raised bed in which you’ll grow your plants. It is recommended that they be 40 inches in width. The length is up to you and is based on what you’re capable of accommodating. Also, keep in mind you’ll need access to your plants from all sides of the mini-greenhouse/raised bad. Herbs need lots of sun light, so don’t put them in a shady place, such as near a tree. A wheelbarrow and hand tools are a necessity for mixing your soil blend.

A 40 inch by 30 feet bed with six-inch pots (in general, use large pots, such as a six-inch pot, over smaller ones), makes it possible for about 400 plants. This recipe will provide a perfect herb growing mixture for 400 plants to grow:

8 cubic feet topsoil

8 cubic feet washed sand

4 cubic feet perlite

12 cubic feet peat moss

10 pounds dry organic fertilizer

10 pounds dolomite lime

2. Decide which herbs to grow

Now that you have all your basic supplies, it’s time to decide which herbs to grow. In general it’s a good idea to focus on a select few rather than offering a huge selection. Are you more interested in growing culinary herbs or medicinal herbs? Or what about herbs for herbal tea? Once you decide which herbs you’d like to grow, you can buy herb seeds. There are several online companies that specialize in seeds for commercial herb growers, such as Johnny’s Seeds and Richter’s.

3. Plant your herb plants

Your seeds came in the mail. Now the fun begins! Plant your seeds, keeping in mind that some cannot grow in cold conditions. Consider using plug trays as a way to start growing plants indoor, and then you can rotate them out into your normal greenhouse/raised bed.

4. Take care of your plants

Only use organic fertilizers, as they help plants grow healthier and at a less-stressed rate. It’s also a good idea to apply liquid seaweed or liquid fish emulsion as foliar spray every week during growing season. This can provide the right amount of nutrients needed to keep your plants healthy. Also, water your plants only when they need it. Try once a day, preferably in the morning.

5. Start selling them

Your plants are grown. You’re ready to sell them. There are many ways to sell them, whether it’s directly from your garden, a roadside stand, a farmer’s market, or through a fundraiser such as one for a church or other charitable cause. Farmer’s markets, because of the large number of visitors, are generally the most profitable location for herb growers.Keep in mind what your local laws allow and what could give you the most profit.

6. Advertise and get creative

You want to get customers and then keep them coming back. Make flyers and put them up at bulletin boards around town. Print business cards and put something fun on it, like a basil pesto recipe on the back! Get creative. Putting something on a business card that makes your customer want to keep the card will keep the business coming back to you. Just have fun with it and you’ll see the profits go up as well.

In just six easy steps you could be on your way to a successful herb growing business. It’s really that simple. Put in a little work, some tender care, and most of all, get creative with it, and you’ll see the business continue to grow.

Source by Craig Wallin