How to Make Money Growing Herbs

Many people enjoy herb gardening as a hobby, but few think to turn it into a business. The truth is, with some extra effort you can transform your love for growing herbs into a profitable business. After all, seeds, pots and soil are inexpensive and fresh grown herbs are in high demand. Here are some tips on how to make money growing herbs.

1. Decide What to Plant

Do some research on which herbs sell best in your area. Think about where you live. Is one type of cooking more popular than another? If so, chances are herbs for that type of cooking will be in higher demand locally and thus will be easier to sell.

You'll also want to consider the growing conditions that you have available for the plants. For instance, if the only location in your yard where there is room to put the potted herbs gets sun all day, you'll need to choose herbs that grow well in full sun.

2. Learn More about Growing the Herbs You've Chosen

Even if you are a master herb gardener you can always pick up a tip or two on how to get healthier plants. The better condition your plants are in the easier time you are going to have selling them so it is worth your time to brush up on how to grow the herbs that you've chosen to sell. Take a couple hours one after noon and look up growing tips for each herb online. Make notes of any special tips that can help you get healthier, fuller plants.

3. Get Your Supplies

Head to the nursery and get some seed trays, soil, seeds and pots. Keep your supplies as cheap as possible, but also consider ways you can save money. Try shopping sales or buying in bulk to save. The less you spend on supplies the higher your profit margins will be.

4. Grow Your Plants

This is the hardest part of your herb growing business since planting and caring for your plants will take a commitment on your part. You need to be vigilant about making sure the plants have water and that they are protected from the weather. It would be a shame if they accidentally baked in the hot sun or got broken by strong wind or hail.

Try to keep you plants as healthy as possible. Think about what you look for when you go shopping for plants and try to get your plants looking the same way.

5. Start Selling

When your plants mature and are ready to sell you have several different options. First, you can sell them right from your front yard. Just put up a few neighborhood signs advertising that you've got fresh herbs for sale set up shop in your yard.

Second, you can sell at a local Farmer's Market or outdoor sale. Usually tables at these events are relatively cheap and they draw good crowds so you can sell a lot of herbs. Sometimes these slots can fill up quickly depending where you live so be sure to check if you need to reserve a spot in advance.

Finally, if you want to take your business bigger contact local nurseries and shops to see if they would be interested in carrying your herbs. Set up a meeting with the owner or buyer and bring samples of your herbs or references so they know you have a quality product. If you can get in good with some local shops and can produce enough volume you can really make a lot of money this way.

Herb gardening is a great way to make money doing something you love. I hope you'll take some of these ideas and start your own wildly successful herb business.