How to Make Money With a Small Herb Garden

Herbs are used in a variety of items, including recipes, soaps, air fresheners and home medicinal remedies. Some of the most popular herbs are basil, chives, dill, oregano, marjoram, mint, sage and thyme. Most herbs are best when dried. Drying preserves the herb and extends its shelf life. Many herbs are perennials---meaning they come back and regrow every spring. Growing a small herb garden and then harvesting the herbs for resale will allow for developing a profitable and enjoyable part-time business.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Developed herb garden with visible markers
• Mineral oil
• Garden scissors
• Heavy cloth thread or rubber bands
• Large paper bag
• Empty glass containers with sealed lids
• Decorative display bowls

How to Make Money With a Small Herb Garden

1. Choose which herbs will be beneficial for profit and resale. If selling at a craft show where buyers may be looking for herbs for potpourri or making crafts, some popular choices may be lavender, lemon balm, basil and chamomile.

2. Acquire herb seeds for free at a seed swap such as Weeds & Seeds Swap. There may be a small fee for shipping, or other users may want to swap seeds rather than pay for the up-front shipping cost.

3. Plant the seeds outdoors or indoors. Maintain by watering every other day and allowing for direct sunlight. Once herbs are mature at around four months after sowing, they are ready to be harvested and dried.

4. Snip the herb just above the root. Trim or pull off excess leaves toward bottom of the plant. Bunch the herbs and secure with a rubber band. Cut small holes in a large paper bag. Gather the ends of the bag around the stems of the bunch of fresh herbs. Hang the herbs upside down for 14 days in a warm, airy location. Once drying is complete---place herbs in either glass jars or baggies.

5. Designate a price for the herbs. Because they can be regenerated as perennials---the plants and seeds will pay for themselves after the initial sale. Profits can be as high as 90 to 100 percent almost immediately.

6. Create simple labels using Avery 5160 mailing labels and cutting them in half. On the label, write the name of the herb and the date it was harvested.

7. Rent booths at flea markets, craft shows, health fairs, farmer's markets and county fairs. Present small samples of the dried herbs in decorative bowls or dishes. This will allow customers to smell the herbs and get a better look at the quality.

8. Develop and maintain a website and store through Yahoo Stores. Sell the herbs online through the store or through an online auction site such as eBay.

Tips & Warnings

• Most seeds grow well outdoors in zones 5 through 8. Seeds can be sowed, grown and harvested indoors as long as there is proper sunlight and temperatures remain warm.
• Be sure to track all sales for tax purposes.

Resources

• Herb Information
• Fragrant Herbs

[Merriment]

on 8/25/2009 Very helpful article for making money with a small herb garden. I was considering doing this next year and this article will come in handy for getting things rolling. Thanks!