The herb business is growing as more and more people want to live a more natural and healthy lifestyle. Medicinal and culinary herbs are flying off the shelves as people snap these up to improve their lives. This is where you come in. With a little hard work, some smart decisions, and most of all, getting creative, you could be on your way to making $36,000 a year or more in the herb growing business.
One of the best ways to make big profits is to specialize in certain herbs rather than offering a huge selection. For one, offering a smaller selection will make it less likely you will have a hard time taking care of so many different varieties. Plus, narrowing your focus will make it more likely that you’ll become an expert on certain herbs. And there’s always the hope that you’ll build a reputation around town as “the basil guy” or “she always has the nicest parsley.” Feel free to try out different varieties until you find the ones that are selling best.
It’s also a good idea to use larger pots rather than smaller pots. While 3 or 4 inch pots are commonly used, you will likely sell more and make bigger profits if you use a 6 inch pot. Plus larger pots mean better herbs as the extra space in the larger pot will provide a heavier root system.
Once your herbs are grown, you’re ready to begin selling them. Some towns will let you sell them right out of your backyard. Selling them directly to the public will be far more profitable to you than selling them wholesale. If your town doesn’t allow you to sell them right out of your garden, consider having a garage sale. Most towns allow those. Just be sure to advertise that you’re only selling herbs, so you don’t have people showing up looking for Michael Jordan posters or old furniture.
Another great way to sell your herbs is to sell them at the local farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are a great way to bring lots of customers to your products. You might have to pay a fee for the space, but your chance of selling a large number of herbs goes way up.
Consider advertising to bring more people out to check out your herbs. Maybe offer a sale or some sort of deal—“Buy four plants, get the fifth free!” Or give away some free herbs or offer a class for people interested in learning more about herbs and the benefits they could provide. Before you know it, people could be lined up to learn more, and even better, purchase more from you. Keeping good personal relationships with your customers, and above all, having a good product to sell, will keep them coming back.
Offering good quality herbs and showing your creative side will help separate you from the other sellers in your area. Have fun with it! And best of all, you’ll be having fun seeing those profits roll right in. To learn more about herbal profits, read Growing Herbs for Profit.