The Lucknow Sentinel, 1990-03-14, Page 71\ 1
PAGE 111 44, riatil MUMS la
Herb production can serve two purposes, says expert
BY MONA WWI
A herb grower who desasibes *nen as
"semi -retired" says herb production
husineases eau fall ,into one of two
categories.
• "You 011 have a herb faint, which pro-
duces herbs primarily for commercial
sale, or a herb garden, which ..an be
educational," says Rachel McLeod.
McLeod was speaking at the Innovation
lXversification Entrepreneumhip•
in the Agricultural Sector (IDEAS) 1990
conference, held in Hamilton in January.
She and her husband, who have been in-
volved with herbs for more than 25
year,,s run Kiln West Herb and
Wildflower Consulting Services in
Puslinch (in, the Guelph area).
A WO Aura offers herbs on a basis of
• either wholesale or retail (or both), and
Sells Plants in pots, dried herbs, products
such as vinegars and potpourri, and plant
cuttings.
An on-eite restaurant would be a good
investment, although "It can land you
all kinds of horrors with the Ministry of
Health," said Named.
To run an effective herb farm you
would need beds that offer easy access
for planting and weeding, and areas for
Packaging,. drYhig and cooking.
For an productive herb garden, on the
other hand, you would need "a well-
ed garden for display," she said.
it's enclosed, it will provtde shelter
and an air of intilleleY, as Well as keep-
ing the scents (of the betto)".concen-
trated in one area, .
"Pathways between the beds makejeo-
ple 'wailt more slowly," she said, "and
You must have a clear system of lobell
A lecture room and a workshop area
as well as public washrooms are also
necessities.
41
Rechel McLeod
FEW MRS IN ONTARIO
McLeod and her husband got into the
herb business."by elumee,"•- she said, ad-
ding, that their business always leaned
more, towards theeducational aspects;
than mass -production. • '
"la the Mk and Irk there were few
herbs in Ontario," McLeod mid. She and
her husband, both travellers, collected
herbs; from all over the world and began
growing them in a soutigacing patch of
ground in the bermaird„ well sheltered by
nearby buildings. "I began giving
demonsozation luncheons and tees to show
people how herbs could be used," she
saki.
The couple began expanding,
greenhousee, drying screens, and
1 1 that carried herb products and
1 it •
. 11
"We were
she saidopen all day, every day,"
.
She found word of mouth — "and con-
sistent excellence" — the moat effective
way to draw customers.
A herb entrepreneur would also be well
advised to produce a catalogue of their
products -- it must be neat, organised
and presentable, but it down have to be
high-tech, she said — to help keep their
business in the public eye.
Other ways of keeping the public aware
that you're there include giving talloi to
groupe, attending trade shows, advertls-
ing In media and putting fliers up
locally.
PREPARING FOR BUSINESS
When preparing to go into the herb
business, you should learn as much as
you can before Jumping in, she said.
Beware of going to books for advice
because most are written for different
climate and soil conditions than the wee
You'll be dealing with, McLeod added,
One book that she recommended was
Herbs of Ontario by Charlotte Erikson
Brown.
Most herbs; do best in a light loam soil,
usually alkaline (although a few herbs do
require an acid soil). It's also important
that the soU be well -drained.
"if elai, start with raised bode V&
tO the soil ix (made) more viable" by the
addition of organic materiel, McLeod
said.
"Save Rove for a compost heap —
herbs thrive on comport nous* better
than on (chemical) fertilisere.",
The soil *odd never be alkeved to dry
out; herbs should be watered by either
sprinkler or drip irrigation. They rarely
contract diseases, McLeod ssdd. If she
needs to spray a plant for insect pests,
she used Ivory soap "almost exclusive-
ly," she said.
"If a plant does get a disease, I shrug
my shoulders and say would you rather
eat protein or poison?'
Keep in mind that all plants — trees,
shrubs, bulbe, whatever — have their
own, characteristics and likes and
dislikes, she said.
Also, learn the names of the plants,
both the common and botanical (usually
Latin) name. Knowing the Latin name
often means lees confusion when taiking
about herbs, as common names can
fer from one area to another.
Other suggestions include; • Learn
what's the highest quality for each plant
for flavor and scent. • Know what pro
-
Mems to expect at ,all stages of the
plant's life. Seedlings may behave dif-
ferently than adult planta, McLeod said.
• Make sure your information — about
new plants and about plants you already
grow — is kept up4a-date. Check out
yOur local market to keep, your ideas and
mices_ updated. •
A herb entrepreneur 'won't make a
comfortable living fOr several years,
McLeod warned.
"You have to be bigger (than we were)
• and employ people.
' "But our herb lunches were immense-
tv successful.' •
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