Saffron is known to be the most expensive herb in the world, but there are many other herbs that are also quite pricey. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the most popular culinary herbs and a mature plant can produce about a cup of fresh leaves per week. The average cost of buying a cup of freshly cut basil is about the same as purchasing a basil plant, which will provide months of continuous basil at no additional cost. Sweet basil is the most common type grown, but Thai, cinnamon and lemon are just a few variations of the versatile anise-flavored basil, ranging in sizes and shapes, from dwarf varieties with small leaves to large plants with large leaves 3 to 4 feet, green or purple.
Basil is an annual plant that prefers the sun and rich, well-drained soil with uniform watering. Don't forget to grow some plants in containers to take them indoors before the cold season for the continuous harvest of this fragrant plant. If you already have established lavender plants, you can simply take cuttings from plants. Take cuttings from a healthy, established plant that is 4 inches long. Make sure the scissors you use to cut the cuttings are sterilized.
Remove all flower heads and make sure that only the upper four or six leaves are left; the lower part of the stem, which will have roots, should not have leaves. Keep lavender cuttings in a rich, moist potting mix and keep them covered from direct sunlight. It is important that cuttings remain in moist soil to encourage root development. You can also dip the cutting in honey immediately before placing the cut side in the soil to help the lavender take root. One of the best ways to start growing a new crop is to pre-sell through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
The other way is to start small and grow your business as you do with your crops. The Food4Wealth Program makes life easier to start growing spices for profitable small-scale agriculture. There is less work to start with and less daily maintenance. Basil is widely considered the most popular culinary herb and is a key ingredient in Italian cuisine. There is also a growing interest in the medicinal properties of herbs to increase immunity, improve health and treat common ailments.
If you know the herbs you are growing well and are willing to do the marketing to get your name out there, it will be profitable no matter how big or small your herb garden is. The increased popularity and interest in herbs means that they are potentially one of the most profitable crops for your commercial orchard or permaculture farm. The herbal retail business should see growth similar to that of the essential oil industry, and herbal retailers will need continuous supplies of high-quality herbs. Before you rush out to buy your materials and seeds, it's worth doing some research to find potential markets for your herbs. People use lavender for cooking, herbal tea blends, decoration, and craft products such as potpourri and natural soaps. In addition, you know that you have herbs grown healthily, preferably without pesticides for your own use or for profit.
This herb has many medicinal values, such as being good for cough and bronchitis, digestive tract and various skin conditions. Adding rare herbs to your herb garden can introduce you to new flavors and add a little spice to your garden. If you have been growing herbs for some time and have the space and know-how to produce large quantities of fresh herbs, try contacting essential oil companies and see if you can become a producer for them. If you want to grow medicinal herbs for profit, some of the best options include fenugreek, saffron, lavender and other versatile herbal medicines. My favorite spice has to be saffron, so it's very disappointing that this is the most expensive herb in the herb and spice section of the supermarket.
