Farming Base (farmingbase.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to them.
Growing herbs in your home or garden can be profitable as well as fun. In addition, you know that you have healthy grown herbs, preferably without some pesticides for your own use or for profit.
These are the most profitable herbs to grow in your home or garden (sorted alphabetically): Basil, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Coriander, Lavender, Marshmallow, Oregano, Parsley, and St John’s wort.
If you would like to find out more about them, how to grow them, and why are they so profitable, continue reading our text.
1. Basil
Given that it is a delicate plant, growing basil in continental parts is only possible in greenhouses or as a pot. Basil can be propagated by seeds or seedlings. It requires a lot of sun to grow successfully, so planting basil is done in the second half of May and during June when the soil is warm enough. Humus, deep and airy soil is ideal for planting basil. The seeds are shallowly sown in small pots and kept indoors where the temperature is around 68 °F. It is the optimum temperature for germination of basil, but it can also sprout at a minimum temperature of 53 °F.
Basil seeds will sprout after a week or two, and when the seedlings become sufficiently resistant, they need to be transferred to pots about 3 inches in diameter. Once the plants have solidified and rooted, you can transplant them outdoors. Transplanting is best done during wet and cloudy weather, and if it is sunny, the plants should be transplanted only in the late afternoon or evening. With regard to the cultivation of basil from seed, optimum results are achieved if sowing is carried out in early May, while in areas where there is no risk of frost sowing can be done in late April.
The best prerequisite for basil is legumes, and given that it is a one-year-old plant, basil will fit into any crop. It may return to the same place every second or third year. Proper cultivation and care of basil include nourishing, hilling and watering. Since basil has a shallow root, it needs a large amount of moisture. Moisture is particularly needed in the germination, sprouting, bud-budding and budding stages.
Small varieties of this plant are suitable for growing basil in a pot. The seeds are sown directly into pots that need to be kept on a window sill or some other place where there is enough light. When the plant reaches a height of 8 inches, you can tear off its tip and encourage it to grow in the form of a bush.
2. Catnip
Catnip (Lat. Nepeta cataria), belongs to herbs from the mint family. It is best known for affecting the behavior and mood of cats who adore her. Originally, this plant comes from Europe and Asia, but today it is widespread throughout the world and is cat-bound. However, it can be used by people in different ways. It can also be used as a natural pesticide and insecticide, so mice and flies do not tolerate its odor and get rid of them. Catnip grows on dry but fertile soil. It blooms between June and September when it is best suited for picking (and then drying).
Catnip is very easy to grow if you don’t want to buy it. Just plant the seed in a flowerpot and put it in a window where it can get lots of sun. If you want to plant it in the garden, leave plenty of space around it as cats might decide to roll in that part of the garden. Water it sometimes but not too often. If you want catnip to grow successfully, start breeding it inside and outside the cat’s reach, at least until it grows. Side effects of breeding mint in the garden: You could have a rush of different cats in your garden in no time.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile growing is not too complex, but it needs to be produced in larger areas (from 25 acres or more) to achieve satisfactory income. A moderate climate of medium temperatures is ideal for successful cultivation, as it is very sensitive and may be hindered by too low and too high temperatures. A moderate climate of medium temperatures is ideal for successful cultivation, as it is very sensitive and may be hindered by too low and too high temperatures. It is a self-sown plant, a one-year-old species that is rich in active substances, and the main ingredients are easily extractable essential oil, 0.3 to 1.3 percent.
Chamomile is not susceptible to disease and is not sprayed with pesticides. The investment in seed and tillage is not big, the only thing that would be good is for every farmer to have their own dryer and harvesting machines. But already with an area of about 25 acres, you return your investment in a year. Therefore, chamomile is a very promising culture. An average of about 1700 pounds of premium chamomile is dried per 2,5 acres. The most demanding job is to pick chamomile on time, which is a period of about 20 days, otherwise, the chamomile starts to fall off, and in order to be of the highest quality, it needs to start processing in the dryer within two hours of harvesting at the latest.
Chamomile germinates and grows already at 43 °F while the best temperature for growth and development is 68 – 77 °F.
4. Chives
This tiny type of onion can be 6 to 14 inches tall and has a small and slightly bulbous bulb. From the bulb grows a dense bundle of narrow tubular leaves of blue-green. The stem is very similar to the leaves, with purple flowers forming at its apex during May and June, forming a dense hemispherical inflorescence. The seeds of the chives lose germination very quickly, so only one-year-old seeds are used. Often wild growing in nature, and in addition to specific tubular green leaves, you can recognize it by the smell of onions when you rub the leaf with your fingers. Originally from Central Asia, it is grown all over Europe, North America, and Central Asia.
Chivas growing has been known since the Middle Ages, and today it is mostly grown in home gardens and small farms as a spice plant. Chivas is resistant to cold temperatures and can survive very harsh winters in the soil. After the day becomes shorter and the temperature drops below 60 °F, the organic matter from the leaves is transferred to the bulbs, the leaves turn yellow and die off, and the plant goes to rest. Medium-light humus soils with a pH value of 6 – 7.5 are suitable for planting Chivas. It is an undemanding plant and can grow in a semi-shady and sunny location, but in the summer it should be provided with sufficient moisture.
For the successful cultivation of Chivas in the pot, it is necessary to provide moist, humus soil and plenty of sunlight. The leaves can be picked from spring to fall, and in addition to being used in meal preparation, the owner’s decorative flowers can serve as a decoration on your balcony or window. Chivas in the pot are harvested so that the leaves are cut low in the lower part, and several harvests can be made throughout the year as the leaves are renewed until they are dried in late fall. Since the chives are dormant in winter, the leaves will disappear and the whole plant will look like it has dried, but in the spring, new leaves will appear again. Chivas while resting should only be watered occasionally.
5. Coriander
Coriander is used in the food industry for the production of dried meat products, liqueurs, and pastries, and is mostly used in the production of essential oil and in the cosmetic industry. Coriander is grown in a crop plot and can only be returned to the same land after 2 to 3 years. Good precursors are cereals, and it is grown directly by sowing seeds on the parcel. Coriander seeds are sown at a depth of an inch. On average fertile soils, it is necessary to leave between 10 and 12 inches of space between rows, while on more fertile soils the distance between rows should be 16 to 20 inches.
Coriander cultivation is also possible on very poor soils, but the best results are achieved when grown in deep and loose soils with a pH value of 6 – 7.5. In autumn, the soil must be prepared by plowing at a depth of 12 inches, and in February and March pre-sowing of the soil is done. It is important to do the sowing on time, as delay can result in reduced yields. Although young coriander plants are resistant and will not be harmed by frost or temperatures in the range of 27 to 23 °F, a moderately warm climate is suitable for growing coriander.
There is no great demand for water, but like most other plant species, it is still important to provide sufficient water in the stage of stem development and flowering. Coriander is very sensitive to weeds at the time of growth of young plants, so care should be taken. If the climate is favorable, coriander is also easy to grow in the garden or in large pots. It is well suited to sunny places and well permeable and light soil and can be grown from seeds that are otherwise used in the kitchen. The coriander seeds should first be soaked in water for several hours, and then planted afterward.
6. Lavender
As a Mediterranean perennial shrub, lavender should not be missed in any garden. Although modest in requirements, it blooms richly and for a long time with a beautiful scent, it gives the garden a special vibrancy because it attracts many butterflies, bumblebees, and bees. We use it as a stand-alone shrub, in groups or for decorative hedges. Lavender seedlings, as well as adult plants, need an open sunny position. They do not like shady places, so they will not grow well near large bushes or under trees. It is very resistant to cold and drought and is not particularly demanding by soil type.
It is important that the soil is clear and acidic. Lavender blooms twice a year. The first time is richer in late spring and early summer, and the second time, weaker in late fall. Lavender is beautiful in large rocks, where we can plant them individually so they are reminiscent of their natural habitats. It is also a great background plant and combines well with the perennials and flowering plants of stronger colors due to the contrast of colors. They are beautiful combined with roses or planted in large clay pots.
Lavender seedlings in pots can be successfully grown if you have a good sunny position with at least eight hours of sunshine. More frequent watering, good drainage, and nutrition are required. Because of the strong roots and possible freezing in winter, lavender should be planted in really large pots, which should be placed at the bottom of a few inches of drainage material. A good mix of soil, compost, and peat should be used for planting, and a prolonged-fertilizer should be added.
It is better to plant smaller varieties of true lavender such as “Dwarf Blue” or “Hidcote Blue” as they can last longer in pots. Larger varieties of lavender, for faster and lusher growth, can stay in the jar for 3 years. They should be watered more often, best on the soil, and cut every year after flowering so that all the flower stems are cut with a portion of the leaves. Good protection is the “planting in two pots” so that the pot with the lavender planted is placed in a larger decorative pot. We have obtained insulation that protects the roots from low temperatures in winter as well as high in summer. In extremely cold conditions, the pot can be placed in a protected but not heated area.
7. Marsh mallow
Marsh mallow is widely used in folk and scientific medicine, namely root, leaf, and flower. It grows worldwide on moist river beds and on canal banks. The healing properties of the mallow depend on the mucus content (30 to 35%). Marsh mallow still contains about 35% starch, 1.5% fatty oil, and pectin, tannin, asparagine, lecithin, phytosterol, and phosphate. It is a perennial plant with strong, fleshy, branched roots. Root flesh is white and bark is pale yellow. The root has a sweet taste and contains mucus. First, a leaf rosette of round leaves is formed, then an upright stalk, up to 80 inches high.
The leaves are coarse, large, with long petioles, with a serrated edge and thick hairs that give the leaves a silvery green color. White flowers are made in the armpit of the leaves, composed of five petals. The fruit is a laterally flattened sprout containing multiple seeds. It requires light and moist soil to grow lush roots and above-ground parts of the plant. Long droughts do not benefit him. As a perennial plant, it does not fit the crop, and as a precursor, it is not good for winter crops because it is late to root. Sowing requires deep winter plowing.
8. Oregano
The ideal area for growing oregano is the Mediterranean, where soil and climate favor the intense growth of this plant. Oregano grows in dry meadows and hilly areas and sparse forests. Oregano is today most grown in the US, Mexico, and the Mediterranean countries, and the leaves of this plant are used as a spice. Oregano thrives in lowland and mountainous areas, and oregano farming began in the 1970s. Since it is a plant that originates from an area with a warm climate, it needs a lot of light and heat.
It grows on almost all types of soil. Still, deep, fertile, and loose soil is ideal for its cultivation, while moist and swampy soil should be avoided. Like other perennial crops, oregano is grown in a crop. The plantation can last up to five years, and the plant can be planted on the same surface only after four years. Oregano as a pre-culture is best suited to the species behind which the loose soil remains. Oregano can be propagated vegetatively or by seed. Growing from seed is not recommended unless irrigation is provided and the drops must be very small. Seeds are commonly used for making seedlings, and seedlings are produced in cold beds.
The sowing is done during May and the seeds are planted in rows with a distance of 8 inches. Planting depth is a maximum of 0.2 inches. Oregano is also suitable for growing in pots and in small spaces. It is planted in pots with a diameter of 12 inches, which must be filled with compost for herbs. Good drainage must be ensured as the oregano in the jar will not survive if the soil is soaked in water. It does not need to be especially nourished, but only occasionally feed if the leaves turn yellow. The leaves of oregano are harvested before the plant forms flowers because afterward, it has a slightly bitter taste.
Oregano becomes woody after 2-3 years, so you need to get a new plant. Although it is a very resistant plant, oregano jars should be moved to a protected location in very cold weather.
9. Parsley
Parsley farming is very popular because it is often used in meals and is also easy to grow. Parsley is a two-year-old crop from the Apiaceae family. In the first year of cultivation it produces roots and leaves, and after storage during the winter, in the second year, it develops a flower stem from the planted root. The root loses value as soon as the plant begins to develop generative organs. Like carrots, parsley comes in a crop that lasts 4 years. Good precursors for parsley are legumes, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, peppers, and cereals. It is best to sow parsley as early as possible, in the continental regions, usually in late March or early April, and in the Mediterranean in October or November.
For growing parsley, it is ideal rich, fertile, and slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. With proper watering, parsley will grow best on alluvial and sandy soils. The soil must be patchy, and since parsley does not tolerate weeds, it is recommended to apply herbicides to the soil before sowing. Growing on heavy, clay, and unstructured soils should be avoided as root deformation can occur. Recently, parsley has been grown from seedlings sold in growing pots that contain several plants, and this method greatly shortens the growing time.
Except in the garden, it can also be grown in pots on the balcony or on windows. If you plan to grow it this way and use it all year long, keep it moist and protected from the sun during the summer, and keep it in a protected and sunny place in the winter months. Regularly remove the yellow and wilted leaves and flowers, if they appear. After the second cultivation year, the parsley goes to seed and needs to be plucked and replaced with a new one. If you want to grow parsley because of the roots, not the leaves, then choose a variety called Hamburger parsley.
10. St John’s wort
St John’s wort is a perennial herb. The Latin name of the plant – Hypericum perforatum – is derived from the Greek words hyper = above and exion = thought, which signifies its particular healing ability. The St John’s wort is found in oak and pine forests, in clearings, meadows and pastures, neglected terrain. It is currently one of the most sought after and most researched medicinal plants in Europe. St. John’s wort has no great demands on environmental conditions. It enjoys sunny positions, and it needs most of the sun’s heat and light during the growing season and flowering. It withstands low winter temperatures.
Take care of the amount of soil moisture as it is a crop that is not favored by too moist soil. Irrigation is important when performing the first harvest, as this ensures good results for the second harvest. Cultivation is possible on most soil types and even on poor mountainous terrain. However, the best results are achieved by growing on deeper and looser soil types, as this allows more correct root development. St. John’s wort is a perennial plant for which the best precursor are those crops that have herbicidal activity (leave the soil without weeds). St. John’s wort is particularly sensitive to weeds and special care should be taken when controlling them.
