Selling herbs can be a rewarding business.
Growing herbs for profit couples a love of gardening with the need to make a living. Like any business, the growing and selling of herbs should begin with a business plan. Putting down what you intend to do, how much you need to make and how much you'll need to spend is essential to getting your new business started properly. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Decide how you want to sell herbs. You could sell the plants and herbs fresh or dried; as decorative and fragrant arrangements or other crafts (like in candles, pillows or sachets); as medicinal supplements; as specialty food items like dips, oils, vinegars and sauces; or as a combination of all of these choices.
2. Research grow the herbs you select. You will want to be an expert at grow your herbs. Make sure you know where to plant them and care for them overall.
3. Select your garden site and plant your herbs. If you live in an area with a cold winter, you will want to start your herbs indoors. Plant more than you think you'll need as you can always dry or freeze anything extra you haven't sold, and you have to optimize the growing season each year.
4. Market your herbs with savvy packaging, business cards, a price list or brochure and a creative marketing plan. If you want to sell herbs to restaurants or markets, visit them at an off hour when they aren't busy and bring samples of your herbs for them to smell and taste. If you are also selling a dip, sauce or other product, be sure to bring tasting samples.
5. Invite people to your garden. If you want to sell herbs as plants or fresh to individual customers, invite them to a party or open house. Use your herbs in your hors d'oeuvres. Let them pick something from the garden. Discuss the herbs and answer questions about them.
6. Promote your new herb business by being the local herb expert in your area. Let your local news outlets know that you're in business and that you know herbs. If there is a local cooking show, and this is a strong suit of yours, offer to make a simple dish using your fresh herbs. Write articles, a blog or a column in the local paper about herbs and use them.
7. Set up shop at local farmers' markets and even in a small retail location if that is something you can afford to do. At farmers' markets, you can try out all types of herb sales from specialty foods to potted plants. See what sells the best and concentrate on those areas. Give away a price list and a free herb cookie or mini muffin so that people remember you.
8. Keep your books in order. While gardening and selling herbs can be an enjoyable hobby, you must also remember the business side of things. Keep your receipts. Keep track of sales for your taxes. Invest in a bookkeeping computer program so that you can also detail your expenses and receipts.
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