Collecting Seeds and Selling Dried Herbs

I can admit I have never been a gardener.
I remember one time about 30 years ago, my dad had given me a cactus terrarium for my first Mother's Day. Well, within a few months, somehow, someway... all the cacti were... well, no longer with us. Not sure how I did it, because cacti are hard to kill. One would think so... but I did the unpredictable.

That was the start and end to my early-aged gardening. I never planted annuals, never weeded the flower beds and I barely was able to keep marigolds growing healthy. Luckily, the homeowners before us had planted tulips and daffodils. No muss, no fuss gardening.

Ahead Three Decades

I LOVE GARDENING!

I started slowly with two tomato plants about four years ago. Then gradually added more every year since.
But I have found a 'true love' with herbs. I have researched their health and nutrition benefits and was amazed at what they have to offer.
Again, being new, I started slowly. Last year I had a basil plant, oregano, sage and parsley.
This year I expanded... adding lavender, chamomile, dill, chives, catnip, lemon balm, garlic, Valerian, wild lettuce, marjoram and so many more I have lost count.

I have dehydrated them, added them fresh while cooking and am truly in Heaven's glory as I harvest and prune (and yes sometimes talk to them).

For my new love of gardening, I have been thinking and discussed with my husband briefly about perhaps selling dried herbs. My mom, who is 70, has been suffering from aches, pains and arthritis something awful lately. She has had two hip replacement and one knee replacement surgery and is still achy.

In a conversation a few months back we were talking about her aches, inflammation concerns and sleep issues because of them. I mentioned how I stopped taking a low dose anxiety medication prescribed by my specialist (I suffer from Meniere's Disease and those little pills helped when I was having an episode and reduced some anxiety). I had been growing my herbs and researching the benefits and started making sweet herbal teas using catnip, raspberry leaf, marjoram, lemon balm and mint, etc. Not all together obviously. But by far the best concoction I have found that I like is a mint, lemon balm and catnip mixture. (Save that recipe for another post one day)

Well, after making and drinking her special tea, she has noticed a reduced amount of pain and inflammation issues. So she has been calling me often to give me updates and to let me know when she is running low.
OMGoodness! I am my mom's dealer!

My mom has shared her new information wealth with a few of her neighbors and even gave them a little of her stash. Good grief mom! Now you're dealing? At your age?

So this got me to think... maybe I should consider becoming a herbalist. Or a herb seller. Perhaps get into the herb business. Set up a table at next year's local markets. Meet some people. Spread the word about healthy, natural options for ailments.
So many people are on sleep aids, blood pressure medications, etc... wouldn't it be nice to save the money on the prescriptions?

Maybe I can add the idea of collecting heirloom seeds to re-sell also.
Need to think more about this. Need to talk to my husband more about this. Need to see about laws or regulations, certifications, etc. So much to consider.

Use Your Local Library When Starting Out

In the last two years, I have been researching many aspects of gardening and to save money and instead of investing more than my budget allows for books, I will search on my library's lending website and find books that have what I am looking for, order the book and check it out. If it has enough information I find useful that can justify purchasing, I will find it online for a cheaper cost.

This is a great way to get information when you're just starting out. Also, make friends with the library staff. They are always so helpful and willing to go the extra mile for regular patrons.

As I was in the middle of writing this post, I took a quick break and read a few posts from other members here, and came across this. See @kiaraantonoviche recent post here as she shared her ideas about how homesteaders make money from their land, etc. Take a look and see what other homesteaders are doing and thinking.

Come join the homestead slack community and have fun chatting with us- click picture below.

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