K-State Research and Extension 1 Authors Rhonda Janke and Jeanie DeArmond Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources David Coltrain Department of Agricultural Economics Art Credits Bee Balm Pluerisy Root USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 132.\ and Canada. Vol. 3: 25. Blue Vervain Purple Coneflower USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 95. and Canada. Vol. 3: 475. Borage Red Clover USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 93. and Canada. Vol. 2: 355. Feverfew Round-headed Lespedeza USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 519. and Canada. Vol. 2: 407. Evening Primrose Sheep Sorrel USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 595. and Canada. Vol. 1: 653. Chinese Milkvetch Skullcap USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 379. and Canada. Vol. 3: 106. Joe Pye Weed St. John’s Wort USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 357. and Canada. Vol. 2: 533. Marsh Mallow Stinging Nettle USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 514. and Canada. Vol. 1: 635. Milk Thistle Valerian USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 555. and Canada. Vol. 3: 286. Mullein Yarrow USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 173. and Canada. Vol. 3: 515. Narrow-leaved Coneflower Self Heal USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 476. and Canada. Vol. 3: 115. Oregano USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 3: 140. 2 Farming a Few Acres of Herbs: An Herb Grower’s Handbook Why grow herbs? Potential for herb production Several factors make it difficult to determine There are many reasons to grow herbs. You the potential for profitable herb production: may want to keep a few plants around the yard for personal culinary or medicinal use. Or you • An uncertain market size. may have heard about high prices for some herb • Low-cost producers who dominate world products and see them as a potentially valuable production. cash crop for the farm. • Difficulty assessing market information. Medicinal herbs in Kansas Kansas agricultural producers are exploring • Lack of quality control procedures. the production and marketing of medicinal herbs. • Little available agronomic information for They may be exploring alternative crops because herbs. of low prices of traditional commodity crops. This interest is shared by many across the coun- • Mixed acceptance by the medical community. try as well as around the world including Canada, Kansas has an ideal climate for growing herbs, Australia and South Africa. Countries with low and many medicinal herbs are native species. labor costs such as China, India, Thailand, South Kansas State University’s Department of Hor- Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya ticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources is and the Philippines also grow a variety of medici- conducting research trials to see how various nal herbs. European and Mediterranean countries herbs perform in Kansas. This research may also grow herbs, but are net importers. provide insight about competitive advantages Medicinal plants have been used throughout for Kansas producers in raising superior herbs history. There are 35,000 different plant species over producers in other states and throughout the used for medicinal purposes. In the United States, world. Details from K-State research trials are consumer interest in medicinal herbs is increas- published in Appendix A. Recent price ranges for ing. Herbs are sold as capsules, tablets, extracts several herbs are found in Appendix B. and teas, and included as ingredients in foods. Do medicinal herbs offer potential as an al- Surveys show that consumers are beginning ternative crop in Kansas? For individuals willing to understand and accept dietary supplements, to invest significant time, effort and capital, the including herbs. Natural foods markets carry answer is a cautious, “maybe.” Herbs are cer- the largest selection, with hundreds of products tainly not get-rich-quick crops. The long-term including whole herbs, tinctures, extracts and answer for some may involve becoming a low- standardized products. cost, efficient producer. For others, it will mean Markets for herbs selling smaller amounts of high-quality product The global retail market for medicinal herbs at the best possible price. For others, it may mean is $14 billion per year. Demand for medicinal developing a value-added product, like an herb herbs in the United States has a retail value of tea blend or line of herb tinctures. more than $4 billion per year. Retail sales in the A word of caution for those wanting to make United States increased steadily from 1994 until a quick profit: At times there are good prices 1998, then leveled off, remaining steady for the for some herbs, but prices fluctuate from year to past three years. Compared to 1999, sales in 2000 year and season to season, and high prices don’t increased slightly in natural food and health food usually stay high for long. Generally, contracts stores but decreased in food stores, drug stores are needed to get those high prices, and these and mass market retailers. are secured after establishing a track record as While demand has stabilized, the medicinal a grower and building relationships with one or herb supply has increased. Markets are over- more buyers. Herbs are a high-value crop, but stocked with raw materials with low demand. A also require high inputs including seed, land, fer- significant market risk is associated with grow- tility and pest control. Some herbs also require a ing medicinal herbs because of limited markets. lot of hand labor, and harvesting and postharvest Current demand can be met quickly by overpro- handling labor and quality control procedures can duction. For example, the price for Echinacea be expensive. Also, the trend in herb production roots has been as low as $2.50 per pound of dried is for organic certification, and there are costs to root in the last three years, compared with more this service, including membership dues, inspec- than $20 per pound in 1998. The current market tors’ fees, and the learning curve and three-year price is $6 to $8 per pound. transition period required before certification is granted. In spite of these cautions, herbs have the potential to be an additional cash crop for Kansas K-State Research and Extension 1 farmers. Because these are high-value crops, a equipment or space are required. Plants harvested farm can range from ½ acre to more than 1,000 for their aboveground biomass (tops) may be acres in size. These crops are relatively new to harvested by hand or mechanized, but drying Kansas, and beginning farmers are encouraged to equipment or space is necessary. Some of these try these crops, as are farmers with experience in plants may be harvested once, and others are other crops. perennials and can be harvested multiple times, similar to alfalfa or grass hay. Some herb crops The term “herb” simply means “a plant,” so can be grown for their flowers or seeds. Flowers describing the production and marketing require- might be too labor intensive to grow in the United ments of this diverse family requires explanation. States because they are grown in other countries In fact, the production and harvesting require- where labor is less expensive. It is unlikely that ments for herbs are probably even more diverse a U.S. grower could compete at current market than for fruits and vegetables. For example, prices. Growers may want to consider seed crops, growing and harvesting a watermelon is much however, because harvests can be mechanized. different than growing and harvesting a carrot. Some seed crops are from annuals, which must be How to use this handbook replanted, but others are from perennials, which The following sections go into detail, empha- offer the possibility of multiple harvests. sizing the economic and agronomic, or specific As much as possible, Kansas data and experi- growing requirements for herbs. Marketing strat- ence have been used to illustrate local production egies are separated into local direct marketing potential. More than 30 different herbs are being and growing for a marketing chain or network. tested in experimental plots in four Kansas loca- Cultural practices include information on how tions. These data are found in Appendix A. Data the plant is harvested because harvesting equip- from the 2000 through 2002 growing seasons are ment limits what is grown on an individual farm included in this handbook. Future editions will more than planting or weeding equipment. Root add 2003 and 2004 data and cover more spe- crops are probably the most labor intensive be- cies. Also, grower experiences from Kansas and cause they may require several seasons to reach the Great Plains will supplement the field-trial a marketable size. Digging, washing and drying experimental data. Table 1. Common Culinary Herbs Common Name Latin Name Part Used Comments Annuals Basil (many Ocimum basilicum Leaf Sell fresh in large quantities for pesto. Avoid refrigeration to reduce sub-types) discoloration of leaves. Coriander Coriandrum sativum Leaf and seed Called cilantro when used green. Dill Anethum graveolens Leaf and seed Many uses besides pickles. Garlic Allium sativum Bulb Plant cloves in fall for June/July harvest (winter annual). Perennials Chives Allium schoenoprasum Leaf and flower Primarily used for garnish, but also adds flavor. Purple flower. Garlic chives Allium tuberosum Leaf Flat-leaved cousin of chives from Japan. White flower. Great in salads and stir-fry. Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus Inner core of leaf Tender perennial, must be brought inside for the winter in pots. whorl Marjoram Origanum vulgare (sometimes Leaf/flower Similar to oregano in flavor, though not as strong. listed as Marjorana hortensis) Mint Mentha spp. Leaf Many varieties, adds flavor to many dishes, not just for tea. Oregano Origanum vulgare hirtum Leaf Greek oregano is used for pizza. Another species, Lippia graveolens (also known as Mexican oregano), is sold in the United States as oregano. Parsley Petroselinum crispum Leaf (root is This plant has medicinal and culinary uses. Flat-leaved (Italian) type is best medicinal) for cooking. Curly leaf used more for garnish. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Leaf Tender perennial. Bring inside for the winter in a pot or as cuttings. Sage Salvia officinalis Leaf Medicinal and culinary uses. Tarragon Artemisia dracunculus sativa Leaf French tarragon is recommended for its flavor. Russian tarragon may be easier to grow, but lacks flavor. Thyme Thymus vulgaris Leaf Medicinal and culinary uses. Small leaves will strip off the stem easily when dried. 2 Farming a Few Acres of Herbs: An Herb Grower’s Handbook Because wholesale price data is nearly impos- Culinary herbs sible to find, Appendix B summarizes retail prices Herbs for cooking can be harvested and sold for about 300 species that will grow in Kansas. fresh in bunches or packets, or dried. Dried herbs These are organized into tables by plant type must compete with the international market (tree, shrub, etc.). The highest and lowest retail where labor is cheap, while fresh herbs usually prices were multiplied by 0.5 to estimate possible are not oversupplied and underpriced. Table 1 wholesale prices and gross profit to growers. Cal- lists some culinary herbs that grow well in Kan- culations for each of the 30 species are included sas. Recipes provided at the point of sale might in Appendix A. encourage those who don’t have experience with herbs. Herbs for local markets Herbs for tea (Direct marketing) Herbs for tea are easy to grow, harvest and sell A variety of herbs can be grown and sold at to a local market. An herb tea may be a pleasant farmers’ markets or to local shops and stores. beverage, possess medicinal properties or both. These include culinary herbs, herbs for teas, salves When growing medicinal plants, make sure to and other medicinal uses, and herbs or plants used grow the correct species and avoid plants with for decoration or floral design. This publication potentially toxic side effects. The species listed focuses mostly on medicinal herbs because this is in Table 2 are widely used and considered safe. an active area of inquiry at K-State, and horticul- Some individuals may have sensitivities or al- ture specialists receive many requests for infor- lergies and should be careful when trying new mation on this topic. Herbs for other uses will be products. For more information on herb tea, see covered briefly in this section. Popular magazines K-State Research and Extension publication MF- and books also cover this topic. 2579, Growing Herbs for Home Use. Table 2. Herbs Commonly Used in Herb Tea Common Name Latin Name Part Used Comments Annuals Chamomile – German Matricaria chamomilla Flower Best one for tea. Chamomile – Roman Chamaemelum nobile Flower More often used as an oil. Stevia Stevia rebaudiana Leaf Is 300 times sweeter than sugar. Only need a small amount. Can be used as fresh or dried leaf, though an extract is sold commercially. Perennials Alfalfa leaf Medicago sativa Leaf Mild flavor, often overlooked, healthful plant. Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Leaf/flower Strong but pleasant flavor. Great butterfly plant. Catnip Rhamnus purshiana Leaf Not just for cats! Great for tea. Comfrey Symphytum officinale Leaf Recent warnings of liver damage with prolonged use. Might not want to sell this one commercially. Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Leaf/root Can be slightly bitter in tea, but has many health-promoting properties. Best in a blend with other herbs. Hibiscus flowers Hibiscus sabdariffa Flower Adds color and tartness to tea. Lemon balm Melissa officinalis Leaf Medicinal herb with a nice flavor. Lemon verbena Aloysia triphylla Leaf Bring inside during the winter. Tender perennial. Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus Leaf Tender perennial. Bring inside. Licorice root Glycyrrhiza glabra, Root These will spread. Adds sweet flavor to tea. Not recommended for people Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese), with high blood pressure. Glycyrrhiza lepidota (N. Am.) Mint (several types) Mentha piperita (peppermint) Leaf These will spread. A classic tea plant. Available in flavors, including Mentha spicata (spearmint) chocolate. Raspberry leaf Rubus idaeus Leaf Included in many women’s teas. Worth investigating. Red clover flowers Trifolium pratense Flower Popular in women’s teas. Has some estrogenic properties. Rosehips Rosa canina Fruit Contains vitamin C. May need to boil slightly to extract flavor. Stinging nettle Urtica dioica Leaf Mineral rich and flavorful tea, sometimes recommended as a spring tonic. Yarrow Achillea millefolium Leaf Surprisingly nice tea. Do not make it too strong. K-State Research and Extension 3 Herbs for salves and creams Labels for herbs may include the name as well A third group of herbs can be grown for use as culinary and folk uses. Keep reference books in salves, creams or other topical uses (Table 3). handy so customers can read more about the Infused oils, salves and creams are not difficult herbs. These resources also keep the herb seller to make. It is possible to learn how to make them from assuming the role of an unlicensed health from a class or from books. See page 22 for more care provider. information. Some herbs in this category can be Providing recipes or suggestions of herb tea used internally and some cannot, so be familiar blends is nice for people trying culinary herbs for with each plant and its uses. the first time. Other marketing ideas include writ- Herbs for fragrance and decor ing articles about herbs for newspapers or news- Another group of herbs is used for fragrance, letters or inviting a speaker to the local garden dried flower arrangements, potpourri or other club or farmers’ market association to talk about decorative uses (Table 4). Some of these are har- herbs. When selling herbs, the more educated the vested on a commercial scale for their essential consumer the better. Education will help growers oils. This is only economically feasible where a know how to safely use herbs, and how important processing plant exists or there are enough grow- it is to find a high-quality, fresh, local source. ers to support processing. This market is already Herbs for commercial markets somewhat saturated, so this will probably not be a competitive area for new, large-scale growers. Deciding which herbs to grow for the com- These may be profitable for small-scale grow- mercial market may be much tougher than for the ers who sell locally. These herbs may not be safe local direct market. For a local market, a grower for internal use, but a few, such as mint, have can try a few things, see what customers like and internal uses. educate consumers. In the commercial market, the grower is several steps away from the con- Promoting and marketing herbs sumer and must be aware not only of what con- Herbs sold directly to consumers can be sumers and manufacturers want, but what buyers promoted in a variety of ways. Herbs are catego- for the manufacturers want as well. There is a lot rized as dietary supplements by the FDA, which of international competition in the commercial are regulated separately from food and drugs. market. An herb that must be hand harvested or is There are some special rules that apply. First, time consuming to grow may be more competi- health claims cannot be made about the herbs. As tive coming from another country. Herbs that with food items, all herbs should be clean, well grow in tropical climates will not be considered labeled and sold unprocessed, unless you have a here, except for those that may be grown success- certified commercial kitchen and/or have sought fully in unheated greenhouses, or tender tropical the advice of the local or state health department. perennials that could be grown as annuals. For Table 3. Herbs for homemade salves and creams Common Name Latin Name Part Used Comments Annuals Calendula Calendula officinalis Flower High resin varieties available. Pick when flower is at its prime. Chickweed Stellaria media Leaf Harvest when young and tender. Perennials Aloe Aloe barbadensis Leaf Mucilagenous gel in the fresh leaf used in hand creams and other products. Grow indoors as a houseplant or set out during the summer for rapid growth. Arnica Arnica montana Flower Maybe difficult in Kansas. In high demand from herbalists. Burdock Arctium lappa Root/leaf Easy to grow. Wild type also found in Kansas. Comfrey Symphytum officinale Leaf/root Easy to grow. Propagate by root divisions Mint Mentha spp. Leaf Easy to grow. Will spread. Essential oil1 or infused oil2 of mint more likely in skin products than whole leaf. Plantain Plantago lanceolata, P. major Leaf This common sidewalk weed often used for skin ailments. St. John’s wort Hypericum perforatum Flower Often found in skin creams and oils, as well as for internal use. 1 Essential oil has been extracted through the use of heat and pressure, usually involving a steam distillation process. These oils are highly concentrated and used in very small quantities, like a few drops. These are usually not made at home, but could if one had a distillation unit. When sold commercially, these bring a very high price, or are sometimes diluted and sold at a lower price. 2 Infused oil can easily be made at home, using a process of soaking the fresh or dried herb in olive or other vegetable oil. See reference section for books that describe the process in detail. 4 Farming a Few Acres of Herbs: An Herb Grower’s Handbook example, stevia, originally from Paraguay, does and will be discussed later. If herbs are the first well as an annual in Kansas. (For more infor- enterprise on a farm, this equipment will need to mation, see the fact sheet, Stevia, MF-2630, in be purchased, rented or borrowed, but if adding Appendix A.) herbs to an existing farm, many of these items will already be available or in use. When calcu- More than 30 herbs have been screened for lating budgets, make sure to include deprecia- production potential in Kansas field test plots. tion, repairs and other equipment costs for a fair Results for herbs screened for two years or more accounting. are found in Appendix A, which is a compilation of fact sheets for each species. As more species If the crop can be direct seeded, standard are evaluated, new fact sheets will be written. planting equipment may work. For example, Table 5 summarizes K-State’s experiences and medium-sized seeds such as milk thistle and recommendations with herbs in Kansas. It in- Echinacea can be planted with a wheat drill or cludes 30 species in the fact sheets, plus informa- planter. Smaller-seeded species such as red clover tion on species that were observed in gardens. could be seeded using the forage seeder box on a standard planter. Some very small seeded spe- These recommendations should be interpreted cies, such as chamomile or St. John’s wort, will for a specific growing site, considering whether need to be seeded in the greenhouse and put into the field is exposed or protected, irrigated or the field as transplants, or seeded by hand and non-irrigated, etc. Table 5 is organized by plant then thinned. Field crop farmers might need to part/harvest method because harvest may limit purchase equipment and facilities to grow trans- more growers than any other factor. Though some plants and place them in the ground. Transplants herbs have markets for more than one plant part for some species can be purchased or contracted (for example, leaves and roots), they are listed in from another local grower who already has the the table under the most common use. Informa- facilities. On a small scale, purchasing a trans- tion on equipment and business planning are in planter does not make sense, but on a large scale, the next section of this handbook. Site-specific a transplanter can save on labor costs. data from each year are found on the K-State Re- search and Extension horticulture Web site: www. With each purchase, evaluate the capital in- oznet.ksu.edu/ks herbs. vestment, the opportunity cost of that money, the interest if the money is borrowed, the expected Equipment and capitalization life of the equipment and the cost of the labor Growing the crop that the equipment will displace. This calcula- tion should be performed for everything from a Equipment for planting and cultivating an tractor to a root digger. Tables 6 through 8 (page herb crop will be similar to equipment for grain and vegetable crops. Harvesting may be different continued on page 10 Table 4. Herbs for fragrance, oils and decoration Common Name Latin Name Part Used Comments Perennials Bergamot Monarda fistulosa Flower/leaf Flowers and leaves may be dried. Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Vine/berries Can be harvested from the wild in Kansas. Used for decoration but has medicinal properties. Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Flower/leaf Dried flowers and stems are used. Mints Mentha spp. Leaf Many types available. Orris Root Iris germanica var. florentina Root The dried root of this variety is fragrant. Patchouli Pogostemon patchouli Leaf Tender perennial. Fragrant plant. Pine cones Pinus spp. Cone Many types may be collected and added to potpourri mixtures. Rattlesnake master Eryngium yuccafolium Whole plant Unusual native plant found only in virgin prairie. Roses Rosa spp., Rosa canina (rosehips) Flower petals and Many types, old-fashioned musk type have the most aromatic petals. Rosa centifolia, Rosa gallica buds Rosehips, petals or whole flowers may be dried and preserved. Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis Leaf/flower Decorative and useful culinary and medicinal herb. Scented geraniums Pelargonium spp. Leaf Many types available. Sumac Rhus glabra Berries Sumac berries may be used in tea or decoration. Woody plant, wild in Great Plains. White sage Salvia apiana Leaf and stem Used for incense or potpourri, not cooking. Yarrow Achillea millefolium Leaf and flower Flowers dry nicely for arrangements K-State Research and Extension 5 6 Table 5. Herbs for the Commercial Market - Organized by Harvest Method for Primary Crop Common Name Latin Name Life Cycle Sun Harvest KSU trials1 Recommendations2 Comments3 Pollen/Stamens Saffron Crocus sativus Perennial Partial Pollen/stamens – No G Very expensive and tedious to harvest. Imported from Spain. shade by hand Flowers/petals Borage Borago officinalis Annual Sun Flowers (also stems Yes G/L For borage oil, the fatty oil of the seeds, though other parts also used and leaves). Harvest MF-2608 medicinally. Flowers added to salads. Good for gardens. Limitations are during flowering period flowers hard to harvest and limited market for other parts of the plant. Calendula Calendula officinalis Annual Sun Flowers Yes G/F Grows well here. Time necessary to harvest flowers is a limitation. MF-2610 Chamomile – Matricaria Annual Sun Flower rake Yes G/L Easy to grow and tedious to harvest. Don’t confuse with Roman German chamomilla (no fact chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile, which is primarily grown for its oil sheet yet) and not for tea. Elderberry Sambucus nigra Woody Sun, partial By hand (flowers Yes (no fact F/G Market for elderberry now at a winery in Mulvane, Kan. Native plant, perennial shade and/or fruit) sheet yet) well adapted. Red clover Trifolium pratense Perennial Sun Blossoms Yes F/G/L Easy to grow but time consuming to harvest. Better to grow a large MF-2625 field of it or rotate with other crops as a cover crop. If only growing a few plants, rabbits may be a problem. St. John’s Wort Hypericum Perennial Sun Flowers and/or top Yes G/F Well adapted, best yields might be during second year. Need to replant perforatum 6 inches in full flower, MF-2629 periodically. Gets shrubby. Pretty in garden. Could partially mechanize could clip tops the harvest. Big market for this crop, especially if high quality. Fruit Elderberry Sambucus nigra Woody Sun, partial By hand (flowers Yes (no fact F/G Market for elderberry now at a winery in Mulvane, Kan. Native plant, F a perennial shade and/or fruit) sheet) well adapted. r m in Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata, Woody Sun Fruit (also flower and Observation G/F Cardiac stimulant and antioxidant. Now imported from Poland, Chile, g a also C. monogyna perennial leaf) Bulgaria and France. Well adapted to Kansas landscape. F ew Seeds A c Evening primrose Oenothera biennis Biennial Sun Small seeds Yes N Medicinal part is the fatty oil extracted from the ripe seeds and fresh r es MF-2611 plant gathered at the beginning of the flowering season. Did not do of H well in our trials and seed shatters easily. er Milk thistle Silybum marianum Normally a Sun Can use combine Yes N (if from transplants) Can plant with wheat drill. Plant very early – February/March – to get b s winter annual MF-2618 a crop in Kansas. Tentative recommendation until direct seeding trials : A have been conducted. n H e Leaf r b G Alfalfa Medicago sativa Perennial Sun Leaf and seed, could No F Common forage crop in Kansas. Well adapted to local climate. Market- ro mechanize both ing the crop and working out quality control details are limitations. w e r 1Fact sheet number if available. ’s H 2Recommendation code: G = good for gardens; N = not adapted to Kansas; F = could be a good field crop; L = limitations (labor-intensive, insect or disease, etc.) a n 3Comments are generally about growing conditions or marketing potential. Occasionally mention medicinal uses to give one a sense of whether this plant has market potential in the future. d b o o k K -S Table 5. Herbs for the Commercial Market - Organized by Harvest Method for Primary Crop (continued) ta te R Common Name Latin Name Life Cycle Sun Harvest KSU trials1 Recommendations2 Comments3 e s ea Bee balm Monarda fistulosa Perennial Sun Leaf/flower Yes G/F M. fistulosa did well in field trials, but M. didyma did not. r c MF-2605 h a n Blue vervain Verbena hastata Perennial Sun Leaf/whole herb Yes G/F Nice plant, though had heavy insect damage in some years. d E MF-2606 x ten Boneset Eupatorium Perennial Sun Leaf/above ground Yes G/F Nice white flowers, does well under field conditions, even when dry. s io perfoliatum portion MF-2607 n Feverfew Tanacetum Perennial Sun Flowering tops/leaves Yes G/F Grow this plant like an annual rather than a perennial. Poor winter parthenium MF-2614 survival. Gingko Gingko biloba Woody Sun Leaves No G/F Limitations are market and harvest method. Adapted landscape tree perennial common in Kansas. Heal all Prunella vulgaris Perennial Sun Leaves Yes G/F Attractive plant. Did OK in field trials, but may be difficult to harvest. MF-2636 Low growing. Heartsease/wild Viola tricolor Annual to Sun or Fresh aerial parts, No G Approved by Commission E for inflammation of the skin, used both violet/wild pansy/ perennial shade 2 to 3 harvests per year internally and externally. Often a weed in flower beds. Johnny-jump-up possible Lemon balm Melissa officinalis Perennial Sun, partial Collect leaves before Yes G/F Great in tea. Seems to be expanding market. Winter hardy in a moder- shade flowering and/or ately protected area. branching Lemon verbena Aloysia triphylla Tender peren- Sun, partial Lateral branches Observation G Propagated by runners or cuttings. Used to flavor teas. Probably not nial, somewhat shade harvested in the fall hardy in Kansas. Bring inside each winter. woody shrub Mullein Verbascum thapsus Biennial Sun Leaves for tea, flowers Yes G/F Attractive, adapted plant for garden or field. Harvest leaves first year (needs good for infused oil MF-2619 and flowers in second. drainage) Oregano Origanum vulgare Perennial Sun Leaves Yes G/F Adapted to Kansas. MF-2621 Round-headed Lespedeza capitata Perennial Sun Whole herb tops Yes G/F Native to Kansas. Looks good in the field. Small market now. Lespedeza MF-2626 Sheep sorrel Rumex acetosella Perennial Sun Whole herb top and/or Yes G/F Great as a salad and tea herb. Picking such a low growing herb may leaves MF-2627 be a limitation. Spreads a lot. Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora Perennial Sun Harvest aerial part of Yes G/F Did great in field trials. Attractive plant. Market for tops now, roots in 3- to 4-year-old plants MF-2628 future. in June Stevia Stevia rebaudiana Tender peren- Sun Aerial portions. Yes G/F Did great in field trials. A tropical plant from Paraguay, so grow like an nial MF-2630 annual. 1Fact sheet number if available. 2Recommendation code: G = good for gardens; N = not adapted to Kansas; F = could be a good field crop; L = limitations (labor-intensive, insect or disease, etc.) 3Comments are generally about growing conditions or marketing potential. Occasionally mention medicinal uses to give one a sense of whether this plant has market potential in the future. 7 8 Table 5. Herbs for the Commercial Market - Organized by Harvest Method for Primary Crop (continued) Common Name Latin Name Life Cycle Sun Harvest KSU trials1 Recommendations2 Comments3 Stinging nettle Urtica dioica Perennial Partial Leaves (also a market Yes F A bit “stingy” for the garden but grows well, even in full sun. shade for roots) MF-2631 White sage Salvia apiana Tender peren- Sun Whole tops Yes G/F Attractive in the garden. Used for ceremony, not cooking or other nial. Grow as MF-2633 herbal preparations. Not winter hardy. an annual. Yarrow Achillea millefolium Perennial Sun Flowering tops Yes G/F Attractive in the garden. Did well in the field. MF-2634 Root Black cohosh Actaea racemosa Perennial Shade By hand – root No G Difficult to germinate seeds and grow in Kansas, but is an endangered species in the wild. Expanding market. Blue cohosh Caulophyllum Perennial Shade By hand – root No G Difficult to germinate seeds and grow in Kansas, but is an endangered thalictroides species in the wild. Expanding market. Burdock Arctium lappa Biennial Sun Root is most market- Yes G/F Does well in Kansas. Harvesting is the major limitation. able, fresh or dried, but MF-2609 leaves and seeds also used Chinese milkvetch Astragalus Perennial Sun By hand, or use root Yes G/F Used for its anti-viral and immune-stimulating properties in many membranaceus digger to loosen soil MF-2612 formulations. Potential for high demand. Grows well in Kansas, but first difficult to dig this root. Poor survival in soils that are not well drained. Attractive plant. Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Perennial Sun Roots and tops Yes G/F Best yields under cultivated conditions, though could harvest small F marketed MF-2613 plants at home as “wild greens.” a r m Echinacea Echinacea Perennial Sun Hand or machine dig Yes F Direct seeding is more successful than transplanting. Poor survival. ing (Narrow-leaf angustifolia root MF-2620 a coneflower) F e w Echinacea Echinacea Perennial Sun Hand or machine dig Yes G/F Easier to grow than E. angustifolia. Larger tap root. Unclear market. A c (Pale purple angustifolia var. root MF-2620 r e coneflower) pallida s o f H Echinacea Echinacea pupurea Perennial Sun Hand or machine dig Yes G/F Easiest Echinacea to grow. Limited as commercial crop by aster e (Purple coneflower) root MF-2624 yellows disease. Flowers can be sold to floral shops. r b s : A Garlic Allium sativum Winter annual Sun Hand or machine No G/F Common vegetable crop in Kansas. Many varieties well adapted. n H Ginseng Panax quinquefolius Perennial 50% shade By hand Yes – N Poor survival. Have tried for several years under simulated woodland er observation conditions. Too hot and dry here. b G Goldenseal Hydrastis Perennial 50% shade By hand Yes – G Better survival than ginseng. May be worth growing on a small scale. r o w canadensis observation Probably not a good field crop for Kansas. e r ’s 1Fact sheet number if available. H 2Recommendation code: G = good for gardens; N = not adapted to Kansas; F = could be a good field crop; L = limitations (labor-intensive, insect or disease, etc.) a nd 3Comments are generally about growing conditions or marketing potential. Occasionally mention medicinal uses to give one a sense of whether this plant has market potential in the future. b o o k