Better Organic Gardens

Organic Herb Farms- An Easy Way to Start Your Organic Gardening Experience

March 27th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

If you have little or no experience in organic gardening but would like to start somewhere, an organic herb farm might be your best approach. Herbs are generally easier to grow organically than many other types of crops. Plus, you need only a minimal amount of land. Generally one or two acres is all that is needed to start generating a profitable organic herb farm. But before you begin there are several things you need to consider in order to get your herb farm started on the right foot.

Market Demands and Your Local Climate

As with any new business venture you should develop a business plan and conduct a thorough market analysis. You may have a strong desire to run your own organic herb farm but if they are already several herb farms already in your area it may be difficult to make a profit. You need to make sure the market is large enough to support an additional organic herb farm. He also need to determine how others sell their produce. Do they sell other herbal products as well as the herbs they grow? If so then what additional equipment might you need in order to make those products?

Also if other organic herb farms already exist in your area, what herbs are they growing and will the climate conditions allow you to diversify perhaps into other herbs that they are not selling. Local farmers as well as nurseries are often a good source to determine what types of herbs may grow best in your area. Don’t be afraid to ask for their advice; they are experts and you should pay attention to what they say otherwise you may be putting your hard earned dollars to waste on a product or herb that you cannot sell or may not even be able to properly grow.

Location

When deciding where to start your organic herb farm there are several things you should consider. First, you need to determine how much land you’ll need. Do you want cleared or wooded land? Do you want to put the work in necessary to start a new plot, or perhaps you can find some previously cultivated land. Or perhaps the best of all options would be to find an existing organic herb farm that is for sale.

If you want to live on the land where you’re putting your organic herb farm, then you need to make sure there is an adequate place to put a home unless there’s a home already on the property. In addition to your home what other buildings may you need on your property for the storage of equipment and produce preparation? If there’s not a home on the property and you desire to build a home, make sure you check into available water supplies, as well as electrical supplies and sewage systems or septic systems.

Also since you are planning on using the land for an organic herb farm, make sure that the soil has it been previously treated with chemical additives. It’s a good idea to get a history of the land to know what’s been done in the past, at lease for the past five to 10 years. That’s generally how long you have to go back to get organic certification for your organic herb farm.

Crop Decisions

Deciding which crops to grow under organic herb farm can be a crucial factor in determining the ultimate success of your farm. While acres and acres of lavender certainly looked beautiful and impressive, you’re generally much better off diversifying your herb farm among several different crops just in case one doesn’t do well.

Perennial herbs, such as lavender, thyme, and rosemary can be grown on your organic herb farm and sold directly to consumers, food producers, or cosmetic and other industries. You can also decide to make herbal products and sell them as well. Culinary herbs are generally a solid cash crop. Although annual culinary herbs such as oregano and basil are more commonly grown hydroponically, you can still grow them in the ground as well.

The market for natives or naturally growing herbs is currently a very fast-growing market. You can harvest “high-value native plants” wherever they grow on your land. Many of these herbs grow best in wooded areas, so again consideration as to where to place your organic herb farm must be thought out in the context of what herbs you’re going to grow as well. Ginseng, goldenseal, cohosh and Echinacea are all examples of native herbs that have significant commercial value.

if you’ve always dreamed of being a farmer, starting an organic herb farm could be the way the perfect way for you to live that dream. sure there is a lot to learn annual probably make many mistakes along the way, but the good news is an organic herb farm can be started with a relatively small investment and without a degree in agriculture. With a little persistence and determination, you could be living your dream of being a farmer and profiting from the land you work with your organic herb farm.