Beginning Research on Herb Growing in Texas
Answered by: Conrad Richter
Question from: McRae Sullivan
Posted on: August 20, 2003

Could you provide me with basic information regarding herb and spice growing? Two particular areas I need to consider presently are: 1) The minimum acreage that would need to be dedicated for growing, and 2) Would the Texas climate that produces 100+ (degrees Fahrenheit) summer temperatures preclude the ability to grow these type products?

I am just beginning to research this area and do not know what my level of interest will be.

It is possible to grow herbs commercially in Texas. And there are small farms throughout the U.S. operating successfully with just a few acres. In fact, anything with over 10 acres (4 hectares) planted in herbs is generally considered a large herb farm.

Certainly, the summer heat is a major consideration and you have to adjust cropping times and methods, and select your crops well, for your your area. But by the same token there are crops that do well in the heat. Rosemary is just one crop that is grown in Texas presently.

Although it is is not directed to the special considerations of growing in Texas, the ebook by Richard Alan Miller called "Getting Started: Important Consideration for the Herb Farmer" is an excellent starting point. It touches on issues such as marketing that are often overlooked by farmers new to the herb industry.

You can order the ebook online at:

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?page=Books/HerbFarming.html

Richard Alan Miller has written a more in depth book about herb growing called "The Potential of Herbs as a Cash Crop" which you can order at:

http://www.richters.com/Web_store/web_store.cgi?product=XB6950

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