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Author Bio Biographical statement from the author of Growing and Selling Fresh Cut Herbs.

Growing and Selling
Fresh-Cut Herbs
Looking for a great gift for that favorite gardener? Here you'll find out where to buy this book or how to
order it online.

Herb of the
Month
Check here each
month for a new herb, featuring: growing,
care and uses.

Questions and Answers
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Reviews
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Questions and Answers

Question from Marie via e-mail from this web site.

I was given a rosemary plant as a Christmas present. How do I care for it and can I plant it outside in my high New Mexico location?

     Place your rosemary plant in a south window. Give it lots of room, as it does not like to be crowded. Water it only when the soil is dry. If your home has forced air heat you may have to water it every other day, depending on the size of the pot and if it is root bound.
     In the spring you should begin to see some new growth. This is the time to fertilize it. Repot it into a larger pot. When the weather warms at night, the rosemary can stay outside. Place it in a shaded, protected location until it becomes accustomed to the outdoor conditions. It can be gradually moved to a location in full sun. Fertilize it every couple of weeks during spring and summer. You can also use time-release fertilizer beads if you don't mind using chemical fertilizers.
     Rosemary is a tender perennial and probably will not survive the temperatures you describe in your location. It would be best to keep growing it in a pot. You can, however, treat it as an annual and plant it in the ground. You will get more growth from it this way. Next spring, buy another rosemary and start again.

Jennifer's question via e-mail from this web site:

I have a beautiful bay and I want to start a few new plants-please inform me how to accomplish this successfully. Thanks

     Bay is very difficult to propagate from cuttings. It can be done but it will take time and patience. You can expect only half on the bay cuttings to set roots and it may take two to three months! Take the cuttings when new growth begins and place them in a light rooting medium. Using a rooting hormone (I like Dip n' Grow) will increase your success rate. Bottom heat should be provided as well as intermittent misting of the leaves to keep them from drying out.
     Tom DeBaggio, in his book Growing Herbs From Seed, Cutting and Root, tried rooting bay cuttings in water. After 2 months in water the cuttings did not set roots but had little nodules all over the base of the cuttings. He then planted them in his regular soil mix and he reports that they all set roots!

Q.  How do I get started in the business of growing and selling fresh-cut herbs?
A.  Sell it before you sow it! Success in this business depends upon your marketing efforts. Find marketing channels for your herbs in the city nearest you. Consider how far you would be willing to drive to make deliveries two to five times a week.

Q.  What kind of places will buy my herbs?
A.  There are quite a few options here. Look for upscale restaurants, as they would most likely use fresh herbs for cooking and garnishes. Most medium to large supermarkets sell herbs in packages. Wholesale produce distributors buy fresh-cut herbs in large volumes. You can sell herbs directly to the consumer through a roadside stand or at a farmer's market. There are other marketing channels but you should look to these first.

Q.  What if these places are already buying fresh-cut herbs?
A.  Many places are buying herbs from distributors. These distributors buy herbs from growers and the herbs often sit in the distributor warehouse for one to four days before they reach the end user. You can often secure the business of these accounts by offering them really fresh herbs-ones that you pick the day before, or the same day, that you deliver them. Freshness and quality will set you apart from your competition.

Q.  What herbs should I grow?
A.  There are 12 herbs that are the most popular nationwide but this can vary quite a bit by your location and the ethnic groups in your market area. The best herbs to grow initially are: basil, chives, cilantro, dill, sweet marjoram, mint, oregano, Italian parsley, rosemary, sage, French tarragon and thyme. How much should I plant of each herb? This depends entirely upon the demand for each herb in your area and how much you are selling or expect to sell. Each herb has it's own culture, length of time to first, and subsequent, harvest. Much will depend upon your growing conditions, variety of the herb, soil fertility and so on. The best advice I can give you is to plant twice as much as you think you will need.

Sandie welcomes your questions. Send them via e-mail from this web site and they will be included in this section.

E-mail your questions, tips or suggestions.
I look forward to hearing from you.

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