How to Grow and Sell Herbs

If you already grow herbs for your own use, it is easy to take the next step and start selling your fresh, home grown herbs and make a profit.

Herbs can be grown in small spaces and under harsh conditions. Last year I grew basil in two old washtubs and sold bundles of the fresh herbs to the local health food co-op store.

If you have a sunny place indoors, consider growing herbs inside year round to make a little extra cash.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Grow herbs!
   
   The standard herbs are always popular: basil, oregano, dill, and mint. Consider some others like rosemary, lavender, bee balm, fennel, chervil, thyme, chives, tarragon and sage. Some of these are very suited to being grown indoors and you can find a good market for fresh herbs in the middle of winter.

2. Harvest and Package the herbs.
   
   Harvest the leaves according to the type of herb and typical uses. For instance, basil can be snipped as 4" long stems. Rosemary sprigs might be shorter than that, oregano and thyme might be a cluster of short stems.
   
   Rinse the herbs under a spray of clean, cold water.
   
   Put the bundles of herbs into food grade plastic zip lock bags that you have made holes in. The best way to make holes in bags is to use a hole punch - you can easily punch holes in a stack of 12 at a time. Make a hole or two at the top, just below the zip lock, and at the bottom. This will allow you to spray the bundles with water and let them drain, in their bags, keeping them fresh longer.

3. Sell the herbs.
   
   Although most people think of Farmer's Markets, they are very seasonal and there's a lot of competition. Think outside the box.
   
   - Flea markets year round
   - Yard sales year round
   - Direct sales wholesale to a food co-op or health food store
   - Direct sales to the head chef at restaurants
   - Develop a customer base locally that will come to your house to pick up herbs or that you can deliver to easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep sales local since fresh herbs start wilting quickly
• Deliver regularly.
• Charge premium prices for your fresh herbs
• Grow unusual varieties to capture a market - spearmint, lemon basil, etc.
• Use clean tap water to rinse all herbs.
• Advise your customers to wash the herbs again before use.

[msibley]

on 11/14/2009 Good ideas on how to package and sell herbs!

[mikes197131]

on 8/2/2009 I have often wondered how to sell herbs that I have grown. Thanks for the informative advice.

[rwhite-writer]

on 7/22/2009 Mmmm! I love fresh herbs, especially basil and chives! Great idea to make a little extra cash. Thanks for posting. 5*