Profit from Your Garden: Growing and Selling Botanicals

The products used in holistic medicine are derived from natural plants growing in the wild or cultivated by growers across the country. For instance, mullein and colt's foot leaves, considered weeds in some areas, are used for treating upper respiratory infections, among other illnesses. Companies buy these and hundreds of other herbs and native plants to produce healing medicines and health products, from home gardeners. Some of the plants in demand are raspberry leaves, may apple root, and butterfly weed.

You can cash in by growing a product, in your home garden, that is sought by companies like Celestial Seasonings and American Botanicals. The first step is choosing a botanical worthy of the space needed for growing. In days gone by, plants growing in the wild were collected and sold. This practice resulted in many plants becoming endangered, such as wild ginseng. Federal and local government regulations were implemented to protect the native plants. Before running into the nearest patch of woods, check the laws of your state about collection procedures concerning native plants.

The alternative to wild harvesting is cultivation in the garden. The use of insecticides and chemical treatments should be avoided, if you choose to grow your own crop of botanicals. Companies want clean, well dried, and healthy product. This doesn't mean you can't protect your plants, but use a natural method of insect control and fertilization.

The best way to grow botanicals is to recreate the natural growing conditions the plants require. Black cohosh does well in the shade, while chamomile loves the sun. Research the plants to determine soil and water requirements. Carefully study your garden area to learn which sections get the most sun or shade and which areas have moist soil conditions. It is also important to determine your garden's micro-climate so you know which plants grow well in your area.

The first year may not provide a large harvest. Don't give up, just dry and store the needed plant parts until the following year. Some companies only buy large shipments, while smaller companies may purchase a smaller shipment. Buyers generally have information on their websites about what botanicals they are currently purchasing and the requirements for each type of plant.

For you, as a small grower/harvester, the best way to market the dried botanicals is to commission a broker to sell the product. National companies need thousands of pounds of dried plants to meet their needs. Your home garden may only produce a hundred pounds or less each year. A broker works with small suppliers to build a large shipment. The broker charges a fee, usually a percentage of the selling price to market your goods.

When planning your garden for the next growing season, create an area for marketable botanicals. The profits may not be large, but a dollar is a dollar. The rate for dried roots, leaves and other plant parts ranges from 50 cents to over $50 per pound. The important thing to remember when growing botanicals for sale is to properly dry the needed components so they do not rot or mold in storage. It is fruitless to receive an offer for purchase only to find your harvested crop is unsalable.