| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products:  (seeds, leaf, herb);  (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower); 
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb);  (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
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Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
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Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
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Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
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Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
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Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
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Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
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Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
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Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
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Market
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Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
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Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
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Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
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Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
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Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
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Market
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Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
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Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
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Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
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Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosum ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, flower); (leaf, flower);
Market size: 24,000 hectares (world), 3,200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 750 (A. schoenoprasum), 200-300 (A. tuberosum) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, humus-rich
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 2-3 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring, or sow indirect in plugs 12-16 weeks before field planting. Field must be free of quackgrass otherwise harvests will be contaminated.
Field spacing: 30cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: fresh leaf 10-20t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: aphid
Diseases: puccinia rust, downy mildew.
Buyers want: good green colour (dry leaf).
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Sowing rate: 5-20g/1000plants (A. schoenoprasum), 50g/1000plants (A. tuberosum)
Planting: sow 10-15 seeds per plug or pot, or sow same amount direct in pots.
Seeds to saleable plants: 24-30 weeks.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12-16 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 11 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip
Diseases: few problems.
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Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
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Market
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Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
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(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
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(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
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Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
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Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
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Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
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Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
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Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
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Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
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Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
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Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
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Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
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Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
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Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
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Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
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Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
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Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
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Market
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Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
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Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
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Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
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Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
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Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
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Market
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Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
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Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
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Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
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Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosum ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, flower); (leaf, flower);
Market size: 24,000 hectares (world), 3,200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 750 (A. schoenoprasum), 200-300 (A. tuberosum) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, humus-rich
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 2-3 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring, or sow indirect in plugs 12-16 weeks before field planting. Field must be free of quackgrass otherwise harvests will be contaminated.
Field spacing: 30cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: fresh leaf 10-20t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: aphid
Diseases: puccinia rust, downy mildew.
Buyers want: good green colour (dry leaf).
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Sowing rate: 5-20g/1000plants (A. schoenoprasum), 50g/1000plants (A. tuberosum)
Planting: sow 10-15 seeds per plug or pot, or sow same amount direct in pots.
Seeds to saleable plants: 24-30 weeks.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12-16 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 11 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale, S. x uplandicum) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, root); (root, herb);
Market size: 1,700 hectares (world), 240 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 90-100 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: moist, wet or dry
Crop duration: 2-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 600-900g/ha (indirect).
Planting: although seed can be sown direct, the high cost of seed dictates indirect sowing in plugs or seedbed and transplanting to field. Root cuttings (12,000/ha) of named cultivars (e.g. Bocking No. 14) recommended over seed.
Field spacing: 90cm between rows x 90cm within rows.
Yield: dry leaf 12t/ha (years 2-5), dry root 1,800kg/ha (year 3, 4 or 5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: comfrey rust.
Buyers want: low pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, particularly echimidine; leaf should be cut early to avoid alkaloid buildup.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-70g/1000plants.
Planting: sow S. officinale in plugs or seedflats 12-14 weeks before sale. S. x uplandicum and ornamental varieties are propagated by division or root cutting.
Seeds to saleable plants: 12 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid
Diseases: comfrey rust.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
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|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
|
|
|
|
| |
Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
|
Market
|
Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosum ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, flower); (leaf, flower);
Market size: 24,000 hectares (world), 3,200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 750 (A. schoenoprasum), 200-300 (A. tuberosum) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, humus-rich
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 2-3 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring, or sow indirect in plugs 12-16 weeks before field planting. Field must be free of quackgrass otherwise harvests will be contaminated.
Field spacing: 30cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: fresh leaf 10-20t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: aphid
Diseases: puccinia rust, downy mildew.
Buyers want: good green colour (dry leaf).
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5-20g/1000plants (A. schoenoprasum), 50g/1000plants (A. tuberosum)
Planting: sow 10-15 seeds per plug or pot, or sow same amount direct in pots.
Seeds to saleable plants: 24-30 weeks.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12-16 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 11 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale, S. x uplandicum) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, root); (root, herb);
Market size: 1,700 hectares (world), 240 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 90-100 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: moist, wet or dry
Crop duration: 2-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 600-900g/ha (indirect).
Planting: although seed can be sown direct, the high cost of seed dictates indirect sowing in plugs or seedbed and transplanting to field. Root cuttings (12,000/ha) of named cultivars (e.g. Bocking No. 14) recommended over seed.
Field spacing: 90cm between rows x 90cm within rows.
Yield: dry leaf 12t/ha (years 2-5), dry root 1,800kg/ha (year 3, 4 or 5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: comfrey rust.
Buyers want: low pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, particularly echimidine; leaf should be cut early to avoid alkaloid buildup.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 50-70g/1000plants.
Planting: sow S. officinale in plugs or seedflats 12-14 weeks before sale. S. x uplandicum and ornamental varieties are propagated by division or root cutting.
Seeds to saleable plants: 12 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid
Diseases: comfrey rust.
|
|
|
|
| |
Coriander, Cilantro
(Coriandrum sativum) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed); (herb); (seed, herb);
Market size: 600,000 hectares (world), 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 110-150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun (seed), full or half sun (fresh herb)
Soil: deep, fertile, light or heavy, well-drained, pH 6.5-7.5
Crop duration: 1 year
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 25 kg/ha (seed), 80 kg/ha (fresh herb).
Planting: for seed and seed oil production, sow direct in spring. For fresh herb (cilantro) and herb oil production sow early spring and fall; will bolt in hot weather.
Field spacing: 50-60cm between rows x 11-13cm between plants (seed), 20-25cm between rows x 8-10cm (fresh herb).
Yield: seed 900-1,500kg/ha, fresh herb 10-12t/ha, oil 1-9kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: thrip
Diseases: asters yellow, erysiphe powdery mildew, puccinia rust, pseudamonas, and sclerotina.
Buyers want: less than 12% moisture.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 200g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots; do not transplant – root disturbance causes plants to bolt early.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip, mite, whitefly
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
|
|
(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
|
|
(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
|
|
|
|
| |
Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
|
Market
|
Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
|
|
|
|
| |
Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
|
|
|
|
| |
Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
|
|
Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
|
|
|
Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
|
|
|
|
| |
Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
|
Market
|
Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
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Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
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Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
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Market
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Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
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Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
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Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
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Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
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Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
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Market
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Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
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Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
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Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
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Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosum ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, flower); (leaf, flower);
Market size: 24,000 hectares (world), 3,200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 750 (A. schoenoprasum), 200-300 (A. tuberosum) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, humus-rich
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 2-3 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring, or sow indirect in plugs 12-16 weeks before field planting. Field must be free of quackgrass otherwise harvests will be contaminated.
Field spacing: 30cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: fresh leaf 10-20t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: aphid
Diseases: puccinia rust, downy mildew.
Buyers want: good green colour (dry leaf).
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Sowing rate: 5-20g/1000plants (A. schoenoprasum), 50g/1000plants (A. tuberosum)
Planting: sow 10-15 seeds per plug or pot, or sow same amount direct in pots.
Seeds to saleable plants: 24-30 weeks.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12-16 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 11 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip
Diseases: few problems.
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Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale, S. x uplandicum) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, root); (root, herb);
Market size: 1,700 hectares (world), 240 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 90-100 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: moist, wet or dry
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 600-900g/ha (indirect).
Planting: although seed can be sown direct, the high cost of seed dictates indirect sowing in plugs or seedbed and transplanting to field. Root cuttings (12,000/ha) of named cultivars (e.g. Bocking No. 14) recommended over seed.
Field spacing: 90cm between rows x 90cm within rows.
Yield: dry leaf 12t/ha (years 2-5), dry root 1,800kg/ha (year 3, 4 or 5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: comfrey rust.
Buyers want: low pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, particularly echimidine; leaf should be cut early to avoid alkaloid buildup.
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Sowing rate: 50-70g/1000plants.
Planting: sow S. officinale in plugs or seedflats 12-14 weeks before sale. S. x uplandicum and ornamental varieties are propagated by division or root cutting.
Seeds to saleable plants: 12 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid
Diseases: comfrey rust.
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Coriander, Cilantro
(Coriandrum sativum) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (herb); (seed, herb);
Market size: 600,000 hectares (world), 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 110-150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun (seed), full or half sun (fresh herb)
Soil: deep, fertile, light or heavy, well-drained, pH 6.5-7.5
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 25 kg/ha (seed), 80 kg/ha (fresh herb).
Planting: for seed and seed oil production, sow direct in spring. For fresh herb (cilantro) and herb oil production sow early spring and fall; will bolt in hot weather.
Field spacing: 50-60cm between rows x 11-13cm between plants (seed), 20-25cm between rows x 8-10cm (fresh herb).
Yield: seed 900-1,500kg/ha, fresh herb 10-12t/ha, oil 1-9kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: thrip
Diseases: asters yellow, erysiphe powdery mildew, puccinia rust, pseudamonas, and sclerotina.
Buyers want: less than 12% moisture.
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Sowing rate: 200g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots; do not transplant – root disturbance causes plants to bolt early.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip, mite, whitefly
Diseases: few problems.
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Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale) |
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Market
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Products: (root, herb); (leaf)
Market size: 7,000 hectares (world); 500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1200-1900 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: most soils
Crop duration: 2 years (root), 1-4 years (fresh leaf)
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Sowing rate: 1-3kg/ha.
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late summer. Fresh leaf gathered as vegetable spring, summer and fall. Herb for drying harvested spring or summer. Roots dug late fall.
Field spacing: 45cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 1100-1700kg/ha (year 2).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: water-soluble extractive not less than 30%.
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Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa ) |
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Market
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Products: (seeds, leaf, herb); (herb, sprouts)
Market size: (excluding acreage planted for fodder): 12,000 hectares (world); 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices and acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 350 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained; pH 6.0-7.5
Crop duration: 1-4 years
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(herb) |
Sowing rate: 9-13kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring, broadcast or sow in rows, 15-30cm apart. Two or more cuts at bud stage possible; last cut 6 weeks before killing frost. Heavy potash and phosphorus feeder.
Yield: dry herb 8-10,000kg/ha (years 1-4).
Pests: weevil, leafminer, leafhopper, snout beetle
Diseases: verticillium wilt, leafspot, phytophthora root rot.
Buyers want: organic product.
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(sprouts) |
Planting: soak seeds overnight; drain, keep moist. Ready in 3-5 days.
Yield: 4kg(sprouts)/kg(seeds).
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Arnica
(A. montana, A. chamissonis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower, root); (flower);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 160 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume down
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Culture |
Seed density: 700-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, humus-rich, pH 7 (A. chamissonis), pH 4.5-6 (A. montana)
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 1-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: direct sowing not recommended. Sow in seedflats or plugs. Sow A. montana 16-20 weeks before transplanting to field; sow A. chamissonis 12 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 15-60cm between rows x 15-20cm within rows.
Harvest: flower (years 2-5), root (year 3 or 4).
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: chlorosis (yellow leaves) in A. montana caused by alkaline soil.
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Sowing rate: 8-10g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in seedflats or plugs 20 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 8 weeks.
Pests: few problems, whitefly occasionally
Diseases: few problems.
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Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (herb); (herb); (herb);
Market size: 1000 hectares (world), 75 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 2000 seeds/gram
Exposure: sun
Soil: fertile, well-drained clay or sandy loam, pH 6 to 7.5
Crop duration: 2-4 years
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Sowing rate: 7-9kg/ha (direct), 250-400g/ha (indirect, in plugs).
Planting: sowing in plugs in greenhouse in early spring till mid-summer is most common method; sow 6-8 weeks before transplanting to field. Direct sowing is not as common because weed control is more difficult; sow in early spring or late fall (to come up next spring).
Field spacing: 50-75cm between rows x 18-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry herb 5000kg/ha, fresh herb 10-25t/ha (years 1-3).
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: erisyphe powdery mildew, septoria blight, puccinia rust.
Buyers want: dry carefully to conserve oil in dried herb.
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Sowing rate: 3-5g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in flats or plugs 11-14 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spidermite, thrip
Diseases: mildew.
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Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, and others ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, herb); (herb); (oil);
Market size: 10,000 hectares (world), 1,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 500-1000 (O. gratissimum 2600, O. kilamandscharicum 2800, O. sanctum 1500-2500) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: rich, well-drained
Crop duration: 1 year (O. basilicum), 1-3 years (others)
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Sowing rate: 20kg/ha (direct); 3-4kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in spring when nighttime temperatures exceed 10°C; or sow in flats or plugs 8 weeks before field planting.
Field spacing: 30-90cm between rows x 15-25cm within rows.
Yield: fresh herb 15,000kg/ha, dry herb 1,500-2,000kg/ha, oil 30kg/ha (year 1)
Pests: aphids, thrips
Diseases: O. basilicum varieties are highly susceptible to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) disease. Disease persists in soil for several years. Commercial field plantings should be sown with fusarium-tolerant Nufar F1. Hydroponic operations may choose fusarium-free varieties if equipment and facilities are free of fusarium (spreads by contaminated seeds and equipment). Other basil species (e.g. O. americanum and O. gratissimum) are fusarium-tolerant.
Buyers want: not less than 0.4% essential oil in dried product.
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Sowing rate: 3-4g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in final pots, or in plugs and later transplant to final pots. Nighttime temperature must not go below 10°C.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, thrips, aphids
Diseases: fusarium (see above).
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Bay Laurel
(Laurus nobilis ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf); (leaf);
Market size: 2,000 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1 seeds/gram
Exposure: sheltered position in full or half sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, moist
Crop duration: 20-50 years
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Sowing rate: 30-60kg/ha
Planting: sow stratified seeds in beds or flats.
Yield: not available.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: leaves dried flat for visual appearance.
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Sowing rate: 5kg/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or flats in March or April.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12 weeks (after stratification).
Plugs to saleable plants: 10 weeks to a year.
Pests: whitefly, scale, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Borage
(Borago officinalis ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb, flower, root); (herb, flower, root), (seed);
Market size: 5,000 hectares (world); 2,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, acreage up
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Culture |
Seed density: 50 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: best in well-drained, fertile, moist soil, but tolerates most soils, pH 5-8
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 5-17 kg/ha
Planting: sow direct in late spring in rows 45-90cm apart, 30-45cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 300kg/ha; fresh flower 1,000-5,000kg/ha; seed 90-450kg/ha.
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: 24% gamma lineolenic acid content in seed oil.
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Sowing rate: 50-80g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots or plugs.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
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Burdock
(Arctium lappa) |
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Market
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Products: (root, leaf); (root);
Market size: 3,000 hectares (world), 170 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 60-110 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: deep, loose, humus-rich, pH 6-8
Crop duration: 1-2 years
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Sowing rate: 4 kg/ha (direct), 1.5kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring. Or, sow in beds or plugs and transplant to field in spring. For use as fresh vegetable, dig first year roots when young and tender at 3-5 months. For dry root production, dig in fall of second year.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 15-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 2,000kg/ha (years 2 or 3).
Pests: few problems, grasshopper
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 20g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs 9-10 weeks before sale.
Seeds to saleable plants: 10 weeks.
Pests: whitefly
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Calendula
(C. officinalis) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 880 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained; can tolerate poor soil with low nitrogen.
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 3-9kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect in plugs).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring or autumn; or sow in plugs 4-6 weeks before field planting. Seeds need light to germinate; cover seeds lightly or press in soil only.
Field spacing: 20-70cm between rows x 10-30cm within rows.
Yield: dry flower 1-2,000kg/ha, fresh flower 6-9,000kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: blister-beetle, cabbage-looper, caterpillar, leafhopper
Diseases: leaf spot, aster-yellows.
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Sowing rate: 15g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or direct in pots 10-12 weeks before sale.
Seeds to finished plugs: 4-6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid, thrip, mealybug
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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Caraway
(Carum carvi) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (seed)
Market size: 19,000 hectares (world), 2,500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 350-400 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, pH 6-7.8.
Crop duration: 1-2 years (depending on variety)
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Sowing rate: 8-11 kg/ha.
Planting: sow standard biennial type direct in field late June or early July; harvest following year in August. Sow annual type in May (suited for warmer regions with 5-6 frost-free months). Sometimes sown with annual cover crops such as coriander, dill, mustard the first year.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 4-15cm within rows.
Yield: seed 600-3,000kg/ha, oil 4.5-7kg/ha (year 1 or 2, depending on variety).
Pests: leafhopper
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: seed minimum 3% oil, maximum 12% moisture.
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Catnip
(Nepeta cataria ) |
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Market
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Products: (herb, leaf);
Market size: 2,400 hectares (world), 200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 1500-1600 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or partial sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, sandy, pH 6.5
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 12 kg/ha (direct), 1kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late fall. Or, sow in plugs 8-10 weeks before field planting. Seed needs light to germinate; sow shallow 2-4mm deep.
Field spacing: 45-90cm between rows x 30-40cm within rows.
Harvest: leaf, herb (years 2-5).
Yield: dry herb 3-6t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
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Sowing rate: 3g/1000plants.
Planting: sow in plugs or seedflats 12-15 weeks before sale. Sow 2-4mm deep.
Seeds to finished plugs: 8-10 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 3-5 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, spider mite
Diseases: few problems.
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Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
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Market
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Products: (flower); (flower);
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
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Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
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Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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Chives
(Allium schoenoprasum, A. tuberosum ) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, flower); (leaf, flower);
Market size: 24,000 hectares (world), 3,200 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 750 (A. schoenoprasum), 200-300 (A. tuberosum) seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, fertile, humus-rich
Crop duration: 3-5 years
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Sowing rate: 2-3 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect).
Planting: sow direct in field in spring, or sow indirect in plugs 12-16 weeks before field planting. Field must be free of quackgrass otherwise harvests will be contaminated.
Field spacing: 30cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: fresh leaf 10-20t/ha (years 2-5).
Pests: aphid
Diseases: puccinia rust, downy mildew.
Buyers want: good green colour (dry leaf).
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Sowing rate: 5-20g/1000plants (A. schoenoprasum), 50g/1000plants (A. tuberosum)
Planting: sow 10-15 seeds per plug or pot, or sow same amount direct in pots.
Seeds to saleable plants: 24-30 weeks.
Seeds to finished plugs: 12-16 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 11 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip
Diseases: few problems.
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Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale, S. x uplandicum) |
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Market
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Products: (leaf, root); (root, herb);
Market size: 1,700 hectares (world), 240 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 90-100 seeds/gram
Exposure: full or part sun
Soil: moist, wet or dry
Crop duration: 2-5 years
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Sowing rate: 600-900g/ha (indirect).
Planting: although seed can be sown direct, the high cost of seed dictates indirect sowing in plugs or seedbed and transplanting to field. Root cuttings (12,000/ha) of named cultivars (e.g. Bocking No. 14) recommended over seed.
Field spacing: 90cm between rows x 90cm within rows.
Yield: dry leaf 12t/ha (years 2-5), dry root 1,800kg/ha (year 3, 4 or 5).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: comfrey rust.
Buyers want: low pyrrolizidine alkaloid content, particularly echimidine; leaf should be cut early to avoid alkaloid buildup.
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Sowing rate: 50-70g/1000plants.
Planting: sow S. officinale in plugs or seedflats 12-14 weeks before sale. S. x uplandicum and ornamental varieties are propagated by division or root cutting.
Seeds to saleable plants: 12 weeks.
Pests: whitefly, aphid
Diseases: comfrey rust.
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Coriander, Cilantro
(Coriandrum sativum) |
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Market
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Products: (seed); (herb); (seed, herb);
Market size: 600,000 hectares (world), 5,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices stable, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 110-150 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun (seed), full or half sun (fresh herb)
Soil: deep, fertile, light or heavy, well-drained, pH 6.5-7.5
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 25 kg/ha (seed), 80 kg/ha (fresh herb).
Planting: for seed and seed oil production, sow direct in spring. For fresh herb (cilantro) and herb oil production sow early spring and fall; will bolt in hot weather.
Field spacing: 50-60cm between rows x 11-13cm between plants (seed), 20-25cm between rows x 8-10cm (fresh herb).
Yield: seed 900-1,500kg/ha, fresh herb 10-12t/ha, oil 1-9kg/ha (year 1).
Pests: thrip
Diseases: asters yellow, erysiphe powdery mildew, puccinia rust, pseudamonas, and sclerotina.
Buyers want: less than 12% moisture.
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Sowing rate: 200g/1000plants.
Planting: sow direct in pots; do not transplant – root disturbance causes plants to bolt early.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, thrip, mite, whitefly
Diseases: few problems.
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Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale) |
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Market
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Products: (root, herb); (leaf)
Market size: 7,000 hectares (world); 500 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 1200-1900 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: most soils
Crop duration: 2 years (root), 1-4 years (fresh leaf)
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Sowing rate: 1-3kg/ha.
Planting: sow direct in field in early spring or late summer. Fresh leaf gathered as vegetable spring, summer and fall. Herb for drying harvested spring or summer. Roots dug late fall.
Field spacing: 45cm between rows x 10cm within rows.
Yield: dry root 1100-1700kg/ha (year 2).
Pests: few problems
Diseases: few problems.
Buyers want: water-soluble extractive not less than 30%.
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Dill
(Anethum graveolens, A. sowa ) |
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Market
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Products: (seed, herb); (leaf); (leaf, seed);
Market size: 37,000 hectares (world), 4,000 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices same, volume up
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Culture |
Seed density: 400-1000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: well-drained, moderately rich, loose soil, pH 5.5-6.5
Crop duration: 1 year
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Sowing rate: 9-12 kg/ha.
Planting: sow direct in spring.
Field spacing: 25-50cm between rows; thin to 10cm within rows for fresh herb production or 2-3cm within rows for seed production.
Yield: seed 600-900kg/ha, fresh herb 2500-5000kg/ha, dried herb 1000kg/ha, oil 50-110kg/ha.
Pests: aphid, tarnished plant bug
Diseases: powdery mildew, leafspot, aster yellows.
Buyers want: good green colour (dried leaf).
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Sowing rate: 15-40g/1000pots.
Planting: do not transplant; sow direct in pots, 8-20 seeds per pot.
Seeds to saleable plants: 6 weeks.
Pests: aphid
Diseases: powdery mildew.
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