If you love gardening and working outdoors, herb farming could be your path to financial success.

Healthy cooking and fresh ingredients have experienced a tremendous growth in popularity. As a result chefs and gourmet food stores are in need of year-round sources of fresh-cut herbs. There's also a huge demand for herbal medicinal formulas and herbs for aromatherapy.

A perfect part-time business, startup costs are low and there's almost no equipment needed. With a minimum investment under $4,000, you can start earning an average net profit of $45,000 a year.

Our guide covers all the basics, from how to start an herb farm in your own backyard to harvesting, drying, and storing herbs, as well as proven strategies for increasing your farm's profit margin.

This guide makes an ideal homebased business.

Chapter 1

Herbs are in these days. Everywhere you look, you find them in one form or another. Herbs star in gourmet cuisine at swanky restaurants, they put in regular appearances in the fresh produce section of supermarkets and greet you on drugstore shelves. They soothe, scent and stimulate the senses in potpourri, candles, body lotions and bath products. They are increasingly featured not only in the remedies of home-health providers like Dr. Mom, but also in the recommendations of a growing number of medical professionals. And, of course, gardeners look to herbs for their easy growing habits and aromatic qualities.