BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO THE HERB AND SPICE BUSINESS
1993 by Home Business Publications
Grow, process (if necessary) and sell fresh, preserved and dried
herbs (seeds, parts, plants). Examples are dill, basil, cumin,
celery seed and cilantro (coriander).
It is surprising that with so many gardeners and the high prices
of herbs on the shelves of the supermarkets, that many more
haven't gotten into the lucrative field of herb growing and
processing.
When you in the store for herbs and spices, they are usually
expensive -- $2.00 per ounce and up. Still many still grow wild!
Bay leaves for example are available free by the bushel on bay
trees that grow all over the south.
Herbs and spices have been around for centuries -- they were used
in ancient times to mask "funny" tastes in meats that could not
be refrigerated, "people odor" before deodorants were invented
and of course, to add a little variety to the same foods eaten
day after day, because all that was available was what was in
season.
Spices were discovered and brought in by caravans to liven up
otherwise drab diets and making living "up close" more tolerable.
Winters in the European areas were limited to foods that wood
keep; potatoes, salted meats, turnips -- but nothing green or
fresh!
When spring came, everyone welcomed the new vigor they found in
such "magic" plants as spinach, celery, and various "greens."
We now know they were replenishing their supplies of vitamins
(especially) and minerals that were missing from their winter
diets -- but they only knew that by eating certain plants, or
drinking their juices or "wonder elixirs" they felt better!
We also know a healthy patient recovers from most any aliment
better than a frail one -- but in those days, "magic" plants were
sometimes given credit for healing all sorts of things: even
broken bones (boneset)!
In the 18th and 19th centuries (before refrigeration), there was
a thriving trade in HERBS to rejuvenate, cleanse the blood and
cure just about anything.. To this day, the difference between
herbs and species is mainly that spices can be dried for long,
overland camel caravan trips; while herbs are fresh and ready
use!
To be successful in the herb and spice business, grow things that
do well in your area -- that you adequate facilities and room
for. Of course, you can expand the list of possibilities with a
greenhouse and various climate control devices, plus soil
manipulation. At the least you will probably need a small
greenhouse (or hot frame) to start your plants and perhaps a
screened area for growing and/or drying that is secure from
insects and other pests.
Not only can you market plants and seeds as individual items, but
there is also a lucrative market in blends of herbs and spices.
Fortunes have been made with these!
Once you establish a market,make agreements to buy from other
growers (even out of state) at wholesale rates of course to
enable you to offer a well rounded selection to your customers.
You can also buy or compile booklets on herbs and spices (their
history, uses, reputed therapeutic properties and folk lore) that
can enhance your sales and profits.
To get started, the first thing to do is some HOMEWORK.
Get several books from the library,local (new, used, half price)
bookstores, and mail order (see Business Sources). Find out which
plants will do well in your situation by studying their climate,
soil and sunlight needs and estimate the market that might be
created.
When you decide which ones you would like to try, Learn something
of their background (history, medicinal value, folklore, etc.).
This is very important in herb farming - people may not be
interested in the history of a turnip,,, but mints once used to
"clean" eating boards (no dishes) for royalty might catch the
fancy of a customer or two.
Make arrangements with a local printer or desk publisher to make
nice (and unique) labels for your jars, bundles and packets. Have
little folders of information on the more interesting ones --
this will help raise the price. When you ship packages of herbs
or species, always include some of this type of literature --
these are some of your more profitable sales, and you want them
to order again!
Some indoor herbs, such as basil are notorious for attracting
while flies, a perennial greenhouse pest. They don't do all that
much damage (unless they are really bad), but they are a nuisance
and extremely difficult to eradicate.
One way to help control them is to keep herbs that attract pets
away from each other as much as possible; another is to move the
plants to an outside location where the wind help control the
size of the colony.
When confronted with a plant pest fungal problem find out exactly
what the problem is -- then tale immediate steps to correct it.
Too many gardeners and greenhouse growers waste their time, money
and plants (to say nothing of needless building of immunities) by
erroneous or "too late" treatments.
There are numerous chemical insecticides and fungicides that can
help -- and many non-chemical (organic) techniques as well.
Rotating crops, picking off pests and introducing natural
controls, such as milky spore disease (Japanese beetle,
lady-bugs, praying mantis, lizards, (geckos) or frogs and washing
with insecticidal soap sprays are considered "natural," controls,
Reuter Laboratories specialize in "natural pesticides, which are
sold under the trade name "Attack".
It may become necessary to decide whether your herb garden will
be "normal" organic. In most cases, organically grown herbs are
more in demand and bring higher prices.
Your decision may be influenced by the type and number of pests
in your area, your luck in controlling them, demand. If you use
toxins, be very careful for your own safety, and be informed to
protect your prospective customers!
Tip: One of the more effective controls for white flies is
malathion, which is usually can be sold or eaten a week later
(check the label for accurate instructions).
Some experts tell use that when mixed with some city waters will
break down into harmless (to the bugs) solution in as little as
15 minutes! It still smells like it is working for hours, but it
isn't. You can either check on your local water situation or
apply malathion fast and in small mixed doses.
Toxic chemicals are rated by a factor called LD. The "acute oral
LD factor" indicates how much it takes at the indicated strength
to kill 50% of orally dosed specimen (those who eat the treated
leaves).
There is also a dermal LD rating that concerns the effect on the
nose, throat, eyes and skin (through absorption). The low numbers
are more toxic : LD 1 to 50 is highly toxic; LD 500 and above is
only slightly toxic.
Most chemical pesticides available today are designed to
breakdown into harmless compounds within a week or so, but there
are also "hard chemicals" (DDT, Deldrin, Aldrin, Heptachlor,
Endrin, Lindane and Chlordane) that remain toxic up to twenty
years.
These chemicals normally used only by licensed professionals for
things like termite control (where "safe" chemicals would be
ineffective). Many growers use some forms of "soft" pesticides
(Sevin, Diazinon, Pyrenthins and Malathionn that are effective
against pests, but usually not harmful to humans in the plants or
are not eaten within 7 to 10 days after the treatment.
When it comes to chemicals there is one cardinal rule: READ THE
LABEL!
For an outdoor herb garden in areas where small animals,
grasshoppers or too much sun might be a problem, consider
erecting a simple shade house.
Some gardeners combine a green house and shade house by
constructing a simple enclosure of treated wood, painted metal or
plastic, covering it with shade cloth AND 4 to 6 mil plastic for
the greenhouse and pulling the plastic back to reveal the shade
cloth for a shade house.
A quonset frame can be used, or a corral constructed of landscape
timbers spaced 8 feet apart and connected with treated (or
painted) 2 by 4s. Stretch the shade cloth over the frame and
apply the plastic -- there is your combination shade/green house!
Note that within a shade house, you will need a means of
pollination.
If all else fails, use a water color brush to "tickle" the
flowers every few days. Herbs generally do not need fertilizing.
In most cases, a good compost and a little processed (purified)
manure is fine.
If you need an easy way to apply fertilizers on a large scale,
consider a syphon attachment on your watering hose. Hyponex makes
one that works fine and costs about $10 (retail).
Although it would be worthless as a learning aid for growing
herbs, Culpepper's Complete Herbal (See Bookseller, Sources) is a
copy of a 17th century book outlining the uses and powers of the
various herbs.
This, and others that tell about their "magical" powers are no
longer considered factual, but nonetheless, fascinating -- they
will help create interest in your herbs!
Marketing your herbs profitably is a matter of finding those with
a need (gourmet restaurants and cooks), and coming up with
something that is different and interesting.
Check with small stores, health and gift shops. Ask them to try
your products -- even if it is on consignment. Ordinarily, you
can offer a special introductory price to entice shop keepers to
try them.
Exposure of both your name and herbs is what you are after at
this early stage. Work with a printer to have a display package
to show off your products to their best advantage. A poster with
a tray of products underneath would be a nice window display.
Meanwhile, advertise (radio, cable TV spots, newspaper ads) in
your market area and write some "news release" items for the
local paper to help introduce yourself and your products.
Herbs and their accompanying folklore lend themselves well to
this approach. Of course, your little articles will also mention
where one can get such interesting things!
Put magnetic signs on your car and call on as many retailers and
restaurants as you can to establish a wholesale route.
Leave samples of your best products with the large, gourmet
cooks. When building a route, it is necessary to keep calling on
prospective customers -- even when they haven't bought anything.
This tends to prove your reliability (why buy from an out of town
supplier and pay freight if they can get the same quality
delivered?).
Remember that some retailers have been "burned" is the past by
those who SAY they are reliable. Since very little actual space
and weight is needed for herb delivery, your family car (with
signs, of course) will do nicely as your first delivery van.
Tip: offer a plan to place and periodically replace, live,
growing plants such as basil to restaurants. This will allow them
to advertise that they use fresh herbs!
BUSINESS SOURCES
PENN HERB, 605 N. Second, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Wholesale herb
seeds. Catalog and samples - $1.
JUDE HERBS, Box 563, Huntington Station, New York, NY 11746.
Catalog - $1.
NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY, 1190 North Pacific Highway, Albany, OR
97321-4598. 503/926-8406. Specializes in herbs and rare seeds;
full line of supplies, mixtures, information on the general
subject of herb gardening.
FOLKLORE HERB CO.,2388 W 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC Canada V61 1P1.
Herb seeds, lk herbs, sanctuary seeds, teas, oils, etc. Free
catalog.
BOTANIC GARDEN SEED CO, 9 Wyckoff St.,Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Wholesale herb and wildflower seeds.
BEAR MEADOW FARM, 23 Wall St.,North Adams, MA 01247. Herbs,
health foods and related supplies.
BUSINESS OF HERBS, Box 5591, Madison, VA 22727. Magazine for herb
growers.
CAPRILANDS HERB FARM, Silver ST., Coventry, CT 06328, Herbs,
health foods and related supplies (for growers & retailers).
HERB QUARTERLY, Box 275, Newlane, VT 05345. Magazine for herb
growers.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE LIBRARY, 10301 Baltimore Rd.,Beltsville, MD
20705. Free list of over 200 sources of information on organic
gardening and farming.
CONSUMER INFORMATION CENTER, Box 100, Pueblo, CO 81002. Write for
list of pamphlets. No. 538R, Herbs - Magic or Toxic is free.
ABLE BOX CO., 1269 McCarter Highway, Newark, NJ 07102. Boxes and
cartons.
KOLE INDUSTRIES, INC.,P.O. Box 520152, Miami, FL 33142.
Manufacturers boxes, cartons and bags (some for mail order
dealers).
JONES WEST, P.O. Box 1084, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. 707/795-8522.
Manufactures plastic zip-lock bags, 20 sizes, 2 x 2" to 12 x 15".
DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.,31 East 2nd St.,Mineola, NY 11051.
Discount books, clip art, stencils, etc.
QUILL CORPORATION, 100 Schelter Rd.,Lincolnshire, IL 60917-4700,
312/634--4800. Office supplies.
EDWARD HAMILTON BOOKDEALER, Falls Village, CT 06031-0358.
Specializes in discount books - references, novel, histories,
special subject.
ZPS, Box 581, Libertyville, IL 60048-2556. Business cards (raised
print - $11.50 per K) and letterhead stationery. Will print your
copy ready logo or design, even whole card.
WALTER DRAKE, 4119 Drake Bldg.,Colorado Springs, CO 80940. Short
run business cards, stationery, etc. Good quality, but limited
style or color choice.
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