Value-Added Plants for Profit

One of the best ways for small specialty crop growers to increase their profits is by adding value to their plants by taking an extra step beyond just selling their unprocessed harvest. Using simple value-added techniques can increase your profits by 100 to 1,000 percent!

For instance, my neighbor has grown sedums for years, selling them at the local Saturday market in the standard 4-inch plastic pot. She has done well, but her sales – and her profits took off like a rocket after her husband suggested selling the plants in decorative hypertufa pots.

Every winter, using the standard hypertufa mix of perlite, peat, sand and portland cement, they make hundreds of small and large pots in a variety of shapes, using old tupperware from the thrift shop and scrap plywood and styrofoam for molds. Carol makes fused glass art, and uses the rejects and scraps, which are embedded in the outside of the pots, to add a bit of color. Almost any colorful material – “penny” tiles, for example – can be added to the pots as well.

When the hypertufa pots have cured for a month, they are filled with potting soil and sedums, which are grown out until the first Saturday market in the Spring. Now, instead of a $3 plant, she is able to sell her plants in hypertufa decorator pots for $25, selling thousands of dollars worth every spring and summer.

If you are growing for market and want to get 5 to 10 times more money for your plants, get creative and find ways to add value. Here are a few more examples:

 Bamboo – This popular plant brings a good price when potted and sold for landscaping. Several small-scale bamboo farmers have found success and profits by producing traditional products from the harvested bamboo canes as well. One North Carolina grower weaves the small bamboo canes into a traditional Japanese “Otsugaki” style fence, selling them in panels to local homeowners for as much as $100 each.

Another enterprising bamboo growers turns short pieces of bamboo cane into garden art, such as a rocking fountain based on an ancient Asian design used to scare deer out of the garden with a gentle clacking sound. Materials cost under $10, mainly for a small aquarium water pump, and the completed fountains sell for about $100 by mail and in specialty catalogs and at local nurseries.

 Food products – Turning your specialty crop into a food products can bring far greater profits for growers. From the more traditional jams and jellies to the more exotic specialty foods, your imagination is the only real limit to what can be created. One garlic grower has found success with a garlic-cherry chutney based on a traditional recipe from Cremona, Italy called mustarda.

Others have re-invented that kitchen staple, vinegar, with new flavors and varieties using plants harvested from their market gardens, such as rose hips and other flavorful flowers. Here are a few of the most popular value-added food products being sold right now at farmer’s markets and specialty food stores:

• Chutneys and salsas
• Dried herbs
• Garlic braids
• Herbal salad dressings
• Jams and jellies
• Pickles
• Sauces

 Garlic is a crop that can provide several profitable ways to add value. Garlic farmers can sell the scapes – the young greens – early in the season for salads and stir-frys, and garlic braids and wreaths at harvest time, as well as seed garlic of exotic varieties for customers who want to grow their own garlic. The next level is garlic-based food products, from garlic vinegars and jellies to chutney and sauces.

 Herbs – A herb business offers almost unlimited opportunity to add value. Growers have found success selling “window sill gardens” with 4 to 6 different culinary herbs in a window sill-sized planter box. Another variation is a window sill tea garden, with several herbs used in popular teas, such as lemon verbena, chamomile, lemongrass and mints.

Herb products – Many herb growers have expanded their herbal business by producing essential oils for aromatherapy from their herb harvest. Simple steam distillation is used to extract plant oils from the flowers, leaves, roots and bark of herb plants. These essential oils can be used to create bath and body products, pet care products, even medicinal products used in holistic healing.

Imaginative herb growers have created hundreds of useful herbal products that add value to raw herbs, often by a factor of 10 or 20 to 1. Most growers start small with proven sellers, like herbal hand creams, salves and bath products. Finding customers is easier at farmer’s markets, where you can offer samples, then finding retail stores to stock your product after you’ve established a local following. That’s how Burt’s Bees went from $200 in sales at a craft fair to annual sales of over $250 million!

One herb grower had a surplus of unsold catnip one year, and used her sewing machine to produce cute catnip-filled cat toys for sale at local pet stores and vet’s offices. The toys proved so successful, she devoted an entire half-acre to catnip, selling enough toys to put her two children through college.

Another simple, but profitable, herbal product that is a stead seller for many herb businesses is dream pillows. Dream pillows are herb-filled mini-pillows that are used for relaxation, stress reduction, even to inspire romance. Because the scent fades over time, customers tend to re-order every 4-6 months, so pillow makers have a built-in repeat market.

Lavender is a primary ingredient in many dream pillows, as well as dozens of other herbal products. In fact, lavender is the number one herbal fragrance worldwide. Although lavender is a popular and aromatic fresh-picked plant, value-added products such as soaps, sachets, dried bouquets, and seedlings for sale can boost profits dramatically. In addition, the essential lavender oil, produced with steam distillation, is used with even more value-added products.

There are almost no limits to what can be created from a variety of common and not-so-common plants. If you’ve ever thought about growing for market or growing plants for profit with value-added techniques, now is the time to explore this fascinating and profitable gardening niche. Each of the 4 books we offer contain value-added techniques for each specialty crop.

Profitable Potted Shrubs in a Backyard Nursery

If you’d like to make good money growing plants for profit, then you should consider growing landscaping plants. Soon you could be making the type of money you’ve always dreamed of. Here’s how:

Landscapers and homeowners use a variety of shrubs and trees to beautify a piece of land. Shrubs and trees are in constant demand, so if you can grow what people want, you could get a lot of business. There are many success stories already out there. Jack and Karen Cooper grow deciduous trees in Arizona, such as cottonwood, maple and birch. They wholesale their trees to local nurseries and landscapers. After expenses, they net around $80,000 a year. Sam Davey has a similar story. His six acres contain azaleas, Japanese maples, firs and more. He’s making more than he’s ever made before in his life. Your success story could be next.

The key to success is growing what sells. So how do you find out what sells? Get a notebook and visit your local garden center. See what they’re growing. Pay attention to pot sizes and prices. Which plants do they keep a high number of in stock? You could also pick up a current issue of a nursery-trade magazine to keep up on the latest trends. And don’t be afraid to ask around. Just what trees and shrubs are landscapers looking for? Do your research and you could become an all-star plant grower.

So what are some popular plants to grow and sell? Here are a few to get you started:

Table-top Christmas trees – As more and more people are living in apartments and condos, they simply don’t have room for a full-size Christmas tree. Still wanting to get in the Christmas spirit, many are turning to table-top Christmas trees. They light up any room and are a lot of fun. Italian stone pine and Elwood cedar are two varieties that are particularly popular.

Bonsai – Bonsai is the Japanese method of stunting a tree or shrub’s growth without affecting its natural appearance. They are grown as three types: starter plants, trained plants and specimen plants. Some popular varieties include:

Evergreen – Atlas Cedar, Japanese White Pine and Norway Spruce

Deciduous – Trident Maple, Sargent Crabapple and Paper Birch

Hypertufa Plant Containers – Hypertufa plant containers are the perfect way to turn a $3 plant into a $20 plant. Make a simple plant container out of hypertufa, which can be made by mixing three parts Portland cement, four parts peat and five parts perlite. You can find instructional videos on YouTube to get you going on this fun way to make good money.

Once you’re ready to sell your landscaping plants, you have many options:

Sell directly to landscapers – If you can grow exactly what they’re looking for, and can offer a better price than what they’ve been paying, you could see a lot of repeat business.

Garage sales – Some towns might not allow retail sales out of your backyard nursery, but most do allow garage sales. Just be specific in your ad so people don’t show up looking for sports equipment or a doll house.

Craigslist.org and Backpage.com – There are many ways to advertise for free online, such as Craigslist and Backpage.com. You can place an ad in no time.

Before long you could be growing landscaping plants for profit. Big profits. Just grow what people are looking for, and sell your plants at a good price and you could see a lot of business. Soon enough you’ll be making the type of money you’ve always wanted. To learn more, read How to Start a Profitable Backyard Plant Nursery.

Young Garlic Plants

Starting your own garlic business can be a fun and profitable way to make good money. But does it cost a lot to get started? Will you have to borrow money and be forever in debt? The answer is no. In fact, you can start a profitable garlic business for under $600. Here’s how:

Garlic continues to be popular. Last year alone, Americans consumed over 300 million tons of garlic. In addition to the tasty qualities it has, garlic is also frequently used for medicinal and other purposes. According to the Fresh Garlic Association, it is the second most-used spice in the world, just behind pepper. Garlic is fairly easy to grow. It can grow in most soils, environments and climates. Farmers frequently comment on how it is a hard crop to lose. It simply can tolerate most things. That’s why it’s perfect for any grower.

So how can you start a profitable garlic business for under $600? First, you need to gather your supplies. The main supply you’ll need is garlic bulbs. This will be where most of your expenses come from, but remember, this is also where most of your income comes from. To make a nice income growing garlic you need to sell what people want. It’s really that simple. When you’re getting started, ask your seed suppliers which varieties are most popular.. If you can grow what people want to buy, you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful garlic grower.

In addition to your garlic bulbs, you’ll need healthy soil to grow the bulbs in. Maybe you’d like to use a raised bed, which can help with water drainage. A raised bed that is six inches high and 30 inches wide should do the trick. Next, don’t forget about compost and fertilizers. Only use organic fertilizers. You want your garlic to grow up big and healthy, so that’s why you should stick to organic products. In addition, organic garlic will bring higher prices.You’ll also want some gardening tools, such as a digging fork to help you plant your bulbs.

Next, a lightweight tiller, such as a Mantis, can help turn the top 6 inches of your soil, and can turn under any cover crops. Once you have these supplies, you’re ready to begin planting and watching those profitable plants grow. Remember to water the plants the right amount they need. Don’t over water or under water. Your plants will particularly want water during the months of May through July. Stop watering when it’s about two or three weeks before harvest time. Soon you’ll be ready to start selling your plants.

You can start a profitable garlic business for under $600. It might sound like a lot at first, but remember the big profits that will soon be coming your way once your bulbs are grown and ready to sell. Before long you could be making the profits you’ve always wanted. To learn more, read Golden Harvest.

Growing Medicinal Herbs For Profit

As more and more people want to live a healthier and more natural lifestyle, the more of a demand there will be for medicinal herbs. This profitable business is perfect for someone wanting to make extra money (it could even become a full-time job), spend more time outdoors, and have fun doing it. It’s really quite easy and you can be on your way to big profits in the herbs business before you know it.
Recent medical research has shown that many herbs can be useful as health alternatives to expensive medicines. It’s even been reported that in Germany, doctors write seven times as many prescriptions for St John’s Wort as they do for Prozac for treating depression. So to say people want medicinal herbs is an understatement. In fact, it’s one of the most profitable herb businesses you could start.
First you need to think about what medicinal herbs you’d like to grow. There are hundreds to choose from. Don’t feel like you have to grow every one! That might create more headaches and unnecessary hard work than if you just focus on a select few. That way you’ll become an expert on those select few and build a reputation as a medicinal herb expert.
Here are a few popular medicinal herbs to consider growing for profit:
Catnip – you’ve probably heard of this one. It’s used primarily as a stimulant for cats, but it also can be a soothing sedative for people. It is also particularly useful for pain and stress relief, as well as helping with cold and flu symptoms.
Chamomile – chamomile can make for a great, soothing tea. It has many medicinal benefits such as being a digestive, calming and sleep aid.
Lemon Balm – the strongly scented leaves of this herb also make for a great tea in addition to being an immune booster and beneficial to the digestive tract.
Marsh mallow – this herb, also known as Althaea officinalis,  can be used to treat many skin conditions, coughs and bronchitis, and also is helpful for the digestive tract.
After your herbs are all grown, you’re ready to begin selling. There are many opportunities to sell your herbs, whether they are sold right from your backyard, a garage sale, a fundraiser for a church or other charitable cause, or your local farmer’s market. At these events, make flyers or posters showcasing the value your medicinal herbs could have for your customers. If people learn what the herbs can do for them, they’re more likely to give it a try. When you hear success stories (“That tea really got my cough under control”) consider putting quotes on your flyers or posters, and soon your herbs will be flying off the shelves.
The medicinal herb business can be rewarding in that you’re not only making a nice profit, but also helping people live a healthier and more natural lifestyle. Have fun with it. Put your creativity into it, and you’ll see the customers continue to return. To learn more, read Growing Herbs for Profit.

6 Insider Secrets For a Bamboo Nursery

A bamboo business can make you some big profits. Many growers are making over $50,000 a year. So how can you make that much? How can you turn you backyard nursery into a center of profitable plants. Here are some profitable bamboo-growing secrets that’ll do just that:

1. Pay attention to other growers

Any business needs to know what their competition is up to: what products they offer and at what prices. It’s certainly true for a bamboo business. Keep track of the market. Buy gardening magazines, and order catalogs. Visit your local garden center. Are you growing what people want to buy? Pay particular attention to the prices of your competitors. Are your prices competitive? Your prices don’t necessarily need to be lower than everyone else’s, but make sure yours are at least competitive with theirs.

2. Maps of growers

Many newspapers and counties print maps of local growers and farmers that sell directly to the public. If you’re selling directly to public, be sure to get your backyard nursery on the map. You could get a lot of business from people that might not have known about you otherwise.

3. Newspaper article

Newspapers love to write articles about new businesses, especially ones that are providing a quality service. Write up a press release or a fact sheet that tells what your bamboo business has to offer. Send it to your local newspaper and you just might get an article written about you. Best of all, this doesn’t cost you a cent, nor does it take a long amount of time. It’s free advertising.

4. Garden center sales

Selling your bamboo plants to garden centers is a great way to make good money. Plus they often buy in large quantities, and will want to buy again and again. If can you grow exactly what they’re looking for and at a price lower than what they’ve paid in the past, you could see a lot of business. The best way to get sales from garden centers is to sell to buyers in the off-season, as they’ll have more time to talk to you.

5. Sell bamboo products

Bamboo can be used to make a variety of things. Get creative. Have fun with it. Harvested poles, in particular, can be made into value-added products, such as fencing, privacy screens, water pipes, vases and parrot stands.

Once your plants are ready to propagate, consider growing your “for sale” bamboo plants in containers, such as pots and planters. Container-grown plants can be sold almost any time of the year. Make sure you use containers that can “breath,” as this will help ensure sufficient drainage.

Follow these six profitable bamboo-growing secrets and you could be on your way to big profits in a very short time. Soon your bamboo business could be the talk of the town. To learn more, read Golden Harvest.

Growing Herbs for Profit

Starting a backyard herb nursery can be a wonderful way for herbal beginners to turn their love of plants and gardening into extra cash. It’s also one of the best ways to “bootstrap” a few hundred dollars into a steady part time or full time income. Growing herbs is an ideal money making business for stay-at-home moms, retired folks who want to supplement their retirement income and anyone who loves to garden.

Herbs have been used in cooking, medicine and cosmetics for thousands of years. Now herbs are being rediscovered, as people around the globe seek a healthier and more natural lifestyle. Herbs also provide a link to our past – a time when life was slower, simpler and almost everyone had a backyard herb garden.

Herb use has grown dramatically in recent years. Today, you’ll find cooks using more fresh herbs. New medical research has shown many herbs can be used as healthy alternatives to expensive drugs. Walk into almost any retail store, and you’ll find herbs used in an amazing variety of products – soaps, candles, teas, medicines and bath oils, to name just a few.

It’s important for new herb growers to find a “niche” that fits both their experience level and their local marketplace. Plus – it’s easy for a newcomer to get overwhelmed by all the choices. You can focus on growing herbs, making herbal products, growing herbs for the fresh-cut market, growing and drying herbs – the list goes on.

One of the best niches for beginning herb growers is container grown herb plants. Growing the most popular culinary and medicinal herbs insures that the demand will be there for your product. Popular culinary herbs include basil, cilantro, oregano, rosemary and tarragon. Popular medicinal herbs include calendula, Echinacea, lavender, mullein and St. John’s wort.

To save space, time and water, herb growers can use containers that are ready to resell, such as 4 inch or 6 inch pots, when the herb plants reach salable size. Just a small backyard growing area can produce a good income. One herb grower, using only 800 square feet of growing space, was able to produce 3,000 herb plants, which she sold at the local farmer’s market for over $18,000.

In addition to growing potted herbs, many herb growers sell “value added” herb products, like “theme” collections of herbs in larger pots, such an Italian herb garden, a Tea Time herb garden or a windowsill herb garden for the kitchen. Pet lovers can’t resist pet friendly herbs in pots, such as calendula, used to treat skin irritations, or Echinacea, a flea repellant and immune system booster, or the always popular catnip.

During good time or bad, having your own herb business is one of the best income producers. Even if you have a job, you should be developing a way to make an extra income. Growing herbs for profit is a business that can provide extra income working just a few hours a week at home. To learn more, read Growing Herbs for Profit.

Growing Oyster Mushrooms

The popularity of gourmet mushrooms is continuing to grow. Over a million and a half gourmet mushrooms were grown just last year in the United States. Did you know you can make good money growing gourmet mushrooms? It’s fairly easy too. Here’s how you can make $60,000 a year growing gourmet mushrooms for profit:

Oyster mushrooms, a type of gourmet mushroom, are one of the most profitable gourmet mushroom available. In addition to the high demand for them, growing them is pretty simple. Growing takes about six weeks from start to harvest, so it’s possible to make a big profit fairly quickly. Best of all, no full-time commitment is necessary. You can still have a full-time job or other commitments. If you have a few hours to spare a week, then you have enough time to be a successful mushroom grower.

So let’s do the math. If you have a 500 square foot growing area, in a year that can produce about 12,000 pounds of mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are currently selling for $6 a pound. 12,000 pounds of mushrooms at $6 a pound could make you $72,000 in a year’s time. Simply put, growing gourmet mushrooms for profit can be a way to make a nice extra income, or can even be a new career.

To grow a bumper crop, oyster mushrooms need a growing room where you can control the temperature, the humidity and the light. This allows you to regulate all three to meet the needs of the growing mushrooms at various times in the growing cycle.

One of the keys to having a successful mushroom-growing business is cleanliness. There are many things that could potentially contaminate your mushrooms, but if you take special care, your mushrooms can grow up healthy and tasty. So what do you need to do? First, pasteurizing your straw growing medium will remove possible threats of contamination. When you’re ready to spread out your straw to cool down, take special care to wipe down and disinfect the surface using a 10% bleach solution. And finally, remember to always wash your hands thoroughly before handling any items, such as your spawn or substrate. Healthy gourmet mushrooms will get you top dollar at market.

When your gourmet mushrooms are ready to harvest, try to sell them as soon as possible. Fresh mushrooms will sell the best. If you’re unable to sell your entire supply soon, you can freeze or dry them to sell at a later date. For the mushrooms you’re ready to sell now, try any or all of these three options:

1. Farmers’ markets – If you’ve been to one of these, you know how they can draw big crowds. Attendees are eager to find the best local produce from the best local growers. That could be you. Set up a booth or stand and get selling.

2. Restaurants – If you’re like a lot of people, you love tasting delicious fresh mushrooms when you go out to a restaurant. Restaurants have to get those mushrooms from somewhere, so why not you? Hand out free samples to chefs at local restaurants, and they just might be interested in your gourmet mushrooms.

3. Grocery stores – More and more grocery stores are stocking gourmet mushrooms. Many buy their mushrooms from out-of-state distributors. If your gourmet mushrooms are fresh, healthy and delicious, then you could see a lot of business coming your way.

You could make over $60,000 a year growing gourmet mushrooms for profit. If you have a few hours a week to spare, and you have a growing area where you can control the temperature, humidity and light, then you can be a successful grower. Make sure your mushrooms are growing up healthy, and that you’re selling them at the right places, and you’ll be on your way to success. To learn more about how to cash in on this crop, read Golden Harvest.

Growing Herbs for Profit

People everywhere want to live a healthier and more natural lifestyle. That’s where herbs can come in. The health benefits can be immense, and the tastes and smells are unforgettable. With a herb business specializing in culinary herbs, you can turn a backyard hobby into a profitable business. And it’s quite easy too.

After preparing your growing area – ideally a raised bed with a mini-greenhouse to give your plants a head start in the spring – you’re ready to put together a potting soil mix. If you use 6 inch pots, which are highly recommended (larger plants equal larger profits) you’ll be able to use about 400 pots in a 40 inch by 30 foot bed. For a mini-greenhouse/raised bed of that size, this mixture is recommended:

• 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

Now you’re ready to begin growing culinary herbs. First, you need to decide which ones you’d like to grow. Pick a select few. Feel free to experiment until you find the ones that work for you. Here are some of the most popular culinary herbs:

Basil – basil is the most popular culinary herb. When starting out, it’s recommended you stick to the common sweet basil variety. It’s a very tender plant, so it should not be put outdoors until you are sure it is safe from frost danger.

Chives – when picking the best chives to grow, it’s recommended you use the varieties that have “eye appeal.” “Staro” is one of my favorites, as it has thicker leaves. These are fairly easy to grow and after about a week, the plants will start to germinate. Unlike basil, they can actually continue to do well in cooler weather.

Cilantro – this will be a popular one at your local farmer’s market. It is also used to maintain digestive health. Cilantro grows best in a cool environment.

Oregano – oregano is one of the most popular herbs in Italian cooking. It is also used as a garnish for stews, soups, and gravies. Go ahead, try to resist that unforgettable taste!

Plan on watering about once a day, preferably in the morning. You’ll generally fertilize the plants by applying a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion as a foliar spray. It’s an organic fertilizer – important to many buyers!

After your plants are grown, you’re ready to begin selling at backyard sales, garage sales, fundraisers, and the local farmer’s market. You’ll find the spot that works best for you. Hand out a flyer advertising your herbs and your prices and also include a tasty recipe.

You’re on your way to success in the culinary herb business. You can taste the profits rolling in. It might take a little trial and error, but you’ll soon find what works best for you and what can make you the most money. Whatever you do, have fun with it and your customers will too.

Farming Garlic With Hard-to-Find Varieties for Best Prices

A backyard garden brings happiness to all gardeners. But did you know you can actually make good money growing high-value specialty crops, like garlic? Maybe you’d like to try farming garlic. It’s a booming business that could produce a substantial income. Here’s how:

Garlic continues to be a popular cooking condiment, and is the second most often used spice in our kitchens. Americans alone consumed over 300 million tons of garlic last year. This garlic has to come from somewhere, so why not your backyard nursery?

Growing garlic for profit is an excellent way to make money for any grower. It’s important to know that growing garlic is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You probably won’t be able afford that beach house in Hawaii or that private jet you’ve had your eye on, but you can make a nice income. And don’t forget that growing garlic takes several months, so growing garlic for profit does not mean overnight success. But don’t let that deter you. With some smart choices and some hard work, you could be on your way to success before you know it.

So how can you be a successful garlic grower? First, grow what people want. Many cooks are sick of ordinary garlic, and want to use the more flavorful varieties, such as rocambole, and other “hardneck” varieties, as well as the milder elephant garlic. If you can supply this market, you can charge premium prices, as your garlic is not to be found in most supermarkets.

Next, make sure your garlic is growing up healthy and strong. Check to see if your soil has a Ph between 6.2 and 6.8. That’s what garlic prefers.. Look for weeds, pests and any disease problems. You also need to make sure your soil is well-drained. Waterlogged soil can lead to a lot of problems. Consider growing your garlic in a raised bed, which will help with drainage. A bed that is at least six inches high should do the trick. Start planting your bulbs and seed cloves about six weeks before the first frost of fall. When planting your bulbs and cloves, try to plant them four to six inches apart. When you have years of experience you can start planting them even closer together. Your goal is to fit as many as you can in each square foot of space.

As your garlic grows, keep checking for weed, pest and other disease problems. Be sure your garlic gets plenty of water, particularly in the May through July months. When it’s about two or three weeks before harvest time, stop watering.

When your garlic is ready to be sold, you have a variety of options. Talk to restaurants in your town, and see if they’re interested in the fresh garlic you’ve grown. Or maybe you’d like to talk to a produce broker who buys garlic in bulk and then resells it to supermarkets and other retail outlets. Perhaps you’d like to sell garlic at the local farmers’ market, which are fun events that draw huge crowds looking for the top local products. Shoppers there are willing to pay a premium for braided garlic, or garlic scapes, the tender sprouts that can be harvested early in the season.These are just some of the many ways you can sell your garlic. To learn more, read Golden Harvest.

This cat is definitely high on catnip!

How would you like to grow an aphrodisiac for profit? Consider a catnip cash crop. When most cats get near this aromatic herb, a member of the mint family, they go wild … but just for a few minutes. Science has yet to figure out why, but you can profit without knowing the scientific reason behind the temporary feline insanity.

Catnip is sold dried, loose in pre-packaged quantities or in catnip toys or treats. It is, according to one pet shop owner, consistently the most popular item in the store. After all, there are over 70 million cats in America alone! The most popular cat toy is a simple “cat ball”, fresh loose catnip in a small piece of fabric held together with a quick pass through a sewing machine or tied with a small piece of yarn. Size is more important than good looks. Cats, and their owners, appreciate a generous portion of catnip and don’t seem to care how funky the outside looks.

The beauty of a catnip cash crop is that it costs almost nothing to start up – seeds, a few hand tools, a place to air-dry the catnip and fabric scraps. Unlike roses or other demanding plants, catnip (nepeta cataria) is quite easy to grow. Most growers start their seeds indoors in flats, then transplant to the garden, spacing the plants about 18 inches apart. You won’t need a bank loan to buy seed, as just one ounce, costing around $12, will produce over 40 thousand plants. That’s a lot of crazy cats – and profits! Get your catnip seeds wholesale at www.johnnyseeds.com

Catnip is a perennial plant, which comes back every year unless you have really severe winters, as it is a shallow-rooted plant. It likes full sun, decent, well-drained soil and adequate moisture. Harvest when the plant shows signs of flowering. Some commercial growers prefer to postpone harvesting the leaves until the second year for a more abundant harvest.

To harvest, cut the stems off about 8 inches from the ground. Strip the leaves from the stems and stack in 3″ high trays. A home-made tray with 1″x3″ sides and a fiberglass window screen bottom is ideal, as it allows flow-thru ventilation. Keep your trays in a dry area with good air circulation to speed drying. An inexpensive portable fan will help speed drying time. Make sure the drying area is cat-proof, or you’ll be sorry! When the leaves are dry enough to crumble in your hand – usually about two weeks – you’ve got your cash crop.

You can sell the dried catnip in bulk to pet stores and cat lovers, make your own cat balls, even sell live catnip plants at the Saturday market. Growers who specialize in catnip can make a very good income with just a small patch of ground.

Many years ago, Leon Seidman began growing catnip for his own fussy cat, and passed out samples to friends. His passion for catnip has grown into what may be the largest international catnip business. Check out this web site, www.cosmiccatnip.com, to see how far he has taken this simple crop, and to get some ideas for your own catnip crop.

To learn more about growing other profitable herbs, read: Growing Herbs for Profit.