A Primer to Herb Farming at Home

Herb gardening can take place pretty much anywhere; from an indoor window sill, to outdoor pots and a garden bed. On the other hand, herb farming takes place on the land – lots and lots of land to ensure enough crops to turn a profit. Most experts in the field will recommend approximately 12 acres of land, with a minimum of six different crops planted. Natural means of fertilization and pest control are also necessary, since pesticides and herbicides are not allowed in the world of herb farming.

Most of us don't have a desire for large scale herb farming, but we do enjoy having fresh, home grown herbs at our disposal. For this reason, herb farming at home has become a popular hobby, particularly for those who have a yard that is large enough to host a good-sized garden area. However, even if you life in a high rise in the heart of the city, you can still enjoy fresh herbs grown on a sunny window sill, and you can grow this indoor garden year round.

Beginning Herb Farming at Home
Herb farming at home begins with selecting the best site for your plants and preparing the soil in that site. Your best success will be in a spot that receives at least five hours of sunlight every day, since the vast majority of herbs crave plenty of sun. Drainage is another important consideration, so plant your herbs on a mound when possible to allow for well drained soil. Add some organic material to the area, and check the pH of the soil to ensure that it is slightly alkaline. If it doesn't test out right, add some lime to the soil to cut down on the acidity.

The next step in herb farming at home is to collect or begin the plants that you would like to grow. Many herbs can be started from seed that is sown directly into the ground, and others can be started indoors for earlier harvest. However, herbs like rosemary and tarragon can be quite tricky to start from seed, so you will be better off starting these plants with cuttings or by purchasing small plants from your local nursery.

As your herb farming efforts yield success, you can expand your crops by root division or stem cuttings from your current plants. It can also be fun to add new crops each year to increase your variety of fresh herbs and experiment with the ease of growing different types of plants. Herbs can actually require less care than many vegetables, and often do not need to be watered as often. In addition to providing crops of culinary delights that you can enjoy year round, herbs will provide beauty and fragrance to any garden setting.