Herb farm facts for kids

An herb farm is a special kind of farm where people grow herbs to sell. These farms are often smaller than farms that grow regular crops like corn or wheat. This is because herbs are often more valuable per small area, and the market for them isn't as huge as for bigger crops.

Herbs can be used for many things:

• Cooking: Like basil, parsley, or thyme.
• Medicine: Some herbs are used in traditional remedies.
• Smell: For perfumes or aromatherapy.

Herb farms might sell herbs that are fresh, dried, or even as essential oils. Some farms also sell potted herb plants for people to grow at home. You might even find gift shops, classes, or food for sale at some herb farms!

A Look Back: History of Herb Farms

The idea of growing herbs on farms goes way back in human history. It depends on what people liked, where they lived, and what herbs grew well there.

Ancient Herb Gardens

In ancient Egypt, people grew herbs for religious events and even for mummification. Imagine fields of frankincense, myrrh, and chamomile!

Islamic cultures often had beautiful herb gardens connected to buildings. They were usually enclosed by walls and designed in cool geometric patterns to use space wisely. Christian monasteries later copied this style. As these monasteries grew, their gardens became super important for growing food and especially medicinal herbs to help sick people.

As cities got bigger, people started using small plots of land to grow herbs for cooking and healing. Universities even began setting aside land to research medicinal herbs.

Greek and Colonial Gardens

In ancient Greece, herb gardens were often found right next to bee gardens. This idea of having both together was carried over into European and American Colonial gardens.

In the early United States (from about 1620 to 1840), people grew herbs for many reasons. In some areas, like where the Puritans lived, herbs were grown for practical uses: cooking, medicine, and making things smell nice. In bigger towns, herb gardens sometimes followed fashion trends, appearing and disappearing over time.

Even in rural China, growing herbs was very important, based on their own culture and scientific knowledge.

How Herbs Are Grown

Growing herbs successfully takes some care and planning!

Soil: The Right Home for Roots

Most herbs like soil that drains water well and is easy to work with. This helps their roots get enough water without getting too soggy, which can cause them to rot. It also helps them grow strong roots.

Before planting outdoors, farmers prepare the soil. They remove unwanted plants and check the soil's pH level (how acidic or alkaline it is). They also figure out how much fertilizer is needed. Big farms might even sterilize the soil to get rid of diseases, pests, and weeds. Farmers also rotate their crops, meaning they grow different plants in the same spot each year. This helps stop common plant diseases.

Greenhouses: Growing Year-Round

Greenhouses are like special sunny rooms that let farmers grow herbs all year long. Inside a greenhouse, farmers can control the temperature and water, which is great for herbs.

Greenhouses also let farmers start tiny herb seedlings early in the year. Then, when the weather is right, they can move these young plants outside. The type and size of a greenhouse depend on the farm's needs and how much they want to spend on things like heating and cooling.

For plants to grow from a tiny seed to a full-sized herb, many things are important:

• Enough water
• Plenty of light
• Controlled temperature
• Right minerals in the soil
• Proper air (for photosynthesis)
• Protection from pests and diseases

Keeping Pests and Diseases Away

Herb farmers have different ways to protect their plants from pests (like bugs) and diseases.

One cool way to control pests is by using predator insects. These are good bugs that eat the bad bugs! Some examples are ladybugs, lacewings, and tiny mites that hunt other pests.

If insecticides (bug sprays) are needed, the type used depends on the specific pest. Common pests include aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. Each needs a different approach. Farmers also try to manage the environment. They use good insect screens, make sure air moves well, and have good ventilation. These things help reduce stress on the plants, making them stronger against pests.

Common herb diseases include things like botrytis, mildew, and rusts. Managing these diseases often involves similar environmental controls as for pests. Sometimes, special chemicals are used, depending on the type of plant disease.

Starting New Plants: Seeds and Cuttings

Herb plants can be started in a couple of ways:

• From seed: Many popular herbs like basil, parsley, chives, dill, sage, thyme, rosemary, and cilantro are often grown from seeds.
• From cuttings: This is a way to grow a new plant from a piece of an existing plant. It works well for soft-stemmed herbs like mint, lemon balm, basil, and stevia. The cool thing about growing from cuttings is that the new plant will be exactly like the parent plant! You can also start new plants by dividing a plant or using bulbs.

Different Kinds of Herb Farms

Herb farms can be very different in size and how they operate.

Small-Scale to Commercial

You can have a tiny herb garden as a hobby at home, a small "mini-farm," or even a huge commercial operation.

New herb farms usually start small. They often focus on selling to local markets. These small farms might use organic, hydroponic (growing plants in water without soil), or traditional soil-based systems. A small farm might have one or two greenhouses, a storage area, and a place to sell their herbs.

Bigger commercial farms focus on making a lot of profit. They might use some of the same growing systems but often use advanced technology and science on a much larger scale.

Hydroponics and Organic Farming

Many herbs have small root systems, which makes them great for hydroponic systems. This means growing them in water with nutrients, instead of soil. Growing herbs hydroponically can be more efficient and produce high-quality herbs. You can find hydroponic systems on both small and large farms.

Organic farming is another popular method. If organic herbs are grown in a greenhouse, it can extend the growing season. This is a fast-growing market, and organic herbs can be worth more money. To be certified organic, farms must follow strict rules about their soil, fertilizers, and how they control pests.

Why Start an Herb Farm?

The idea of starting a small herb farm often comes from a simple demand: local restaurants and home cooks want fresher, locally grown herbs. These small farms often begin on a smaller piece of land and might even use parts of a house to start seeds.

Images for kids

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  Herb garden at Kariwak Village in Tobago

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  Lavender growing on a farm