| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 10:05:50 AM
Does anyone here have an herb business? I am starting mine. Want it to be for a fun experience to those who will come. I am in a tourist area: hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, you get the idea.
So my Herb Business will focus on fresh and dried herbs, potpourri, books, wreaths, floral arrangements, teas, etc. ( no medicinal or supplements offered ) Offering cash and carry as well as shipping of their purchases. ( several folks come from all over the country to our area )
I am no stranger to running a retail store as well as running a nursery. Would love to hear from those of you who are doing this whether it is a full time endeavor or a part time hobby. What advice would you have and what are your: " wish I had done this or wish I had not done that".
Joanna
JojoNH
[http://www.CountryCents.com]
[http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com]
I will be documenting my adventure so others can follow along. All the trials and tribulations that go with a new venture!! Feel free to check in and ask questions whenever you like!! |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jul 31 2009 : 05:01:24 AM
Thanks for the encouragement!! Unfortunately, it is a bust for sure this year. . . and I am not alone. The farmers have yet to cut any hay, there is no corn at the roadside stands, even those with the greenhouses are having their challenges too. It is looking like we are in for an expensive winter.
Right now I am looking into grow lights to set up a section of our home for growing some veggies and herbs through the winter. I figure if it is successful it will be well worth the effort. At the very least, having the grow lights will help for starting my seedlings earlier this coming year!!
Now I need to figure out how to raise the money for a green house. That will be a must have on my list. . . otherwise we may never be able to grow our own veggies here.
Will keep you posted!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| mandymcar |
Posted - Jul 23 2009 : 9:57:42 PM
Well that is a bummer, don't give up. Mother nature loves to go in cycles. |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jul 22 2009 : 2:03:08 PM
Well, it is beginning to look like my first year is a bust.
Sad but true. It is July 22 and still the plants are no bigger then when I put them in the ground weeks ago ( mind you I had them started indoors prior to that) So with basically 4 months of growing they look like they are about 6 weeks old. Autumn is soon to begin . . . leaves will start changing in 2-3 weeks. Not a good season at all. So much rain and no sunshine. I will have to devise a special greenhouse next year in order to be sure I have a garden at all.
The only thing that makes this even somewhat bearable is the fact I am not alone. Unless you had a greenhouse your garden looks the same as mine. Looks like we are in for an expensive winter.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 06:33:17 AM
Hi Alee,
I do not have that issue I just recently found MJ's site and magazine back in April of this year. Sounds promising, which issue
was it in? Maybe I can find a copy available for sale
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 06:22:19 AM
Joanna- have you looked into the the less-that-$150 green house that was featured in last summer's issue of MaryJanesFarm Magazine?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 05:10:04 AM
Well, things are not going well here in the North. So much rain and it is in the 40's at night. . . nothing is growing, just sitting there looking like it was just planted. Unfortunately I do not have the means to set up a green house around it. . . with the money I was to make from the garden this summer it would have been invested in a greenhouse setup for next year.
Pretty sad when the deer jump the fence and simply walk through and do not stop to nibble on anything!
Only the herbs are looking good, they are starting to flower and they need to be cut. . . if the rain would hold off long enough.
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jun 25 2009 : 07:36:50 AM
 Okay here is another UPDATE!!
Well, it seems that when a moose makes up it's mind to do something, it does it. Even if it means walking through, over or into whatever is in its way. My garden looks like it has craters in it!!! ( Moose aren't exactly light) This is an on going problem and I am determined to solve it.
So, with the many, many small rocks that I have removed from the garden, I spread them out on the ground where the moose keeps entering from. . . seems to be working. . . it hurts their feet so she has not walked there in 5 days now. Keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue to work!
The herbs are loving their new home. Tripled in size since planting them and I am harvesting some for a few of my eager customers. I love the way they are looking and are very, very fragrant. Tried some with my dinner and a little goes a long way!
All the other plantings are taken hold, showing the first signs of growing since transplanting. Now with the sun out and watering twice a day, we should be in good shape.
I am off to take lots of pictures today and will get things posted onto my blog as soon as possible. I know a few of you are eager to see what it all looks like
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| mandymcar |
Posted - Jun 24 2009 : 8:33:08 PM
I love Moose. There are many from where I am from (Montana/Idaho border)but since they have reintroduced the wolves they have really thinned out as the babies are easy prey.
I am enjoying your updates.
M
www.haystackstudio.etsy.com |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Jun 23 2009 : 10:04:40 PM
jojo...I have a greenhouse business and herbs, baskets, and veggies....
Its a lot of work, but, sure is worth it...
Email me, if you would like, to talk...
Terri
Farmgirl Sister #368
"It is most common for man to value most what has least worth."
My Farm and Garden blog....
http://blogonthefarmandgarden.blogspot.com
|
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jun 12 2009 : 4:58:32 PM
Update on the garden end of life
The herbs have literally doubled in size since planting them less than a week ago!!  I knew it was a great location for herbs. . never in my wildest imagination did I think that was going to happen!!
We had to fence in as much as we could to keep the Mama Moose and her baby from walking all over everything. Geeze, with such a big field, I cannot believe she would walk all around the garden each night! Never ate anything. . think she liked the feel of the soft earth.
Well now she just walks all the way around the fence each night! Just to funny. . . my first customer patiently waiting!! LOL!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Jun 07 2009 : 05:52:41 AM
** Update **
Okay, the weather is now starting to cooperate, so the garden is beginning to take shape!! WaHoo!! I have planted the following:
Potatoes, Onions, Peas, Beans, Summer squash, Zucchini, Butternut squash, Acorn squash, Spinach, Swiss Chard, 3 types of lettuce, one large section with wild flowers, and then all my herbs!! Two types of Rosemary, 2 types of sage, cilantro, Peppermint, Catnip, 2 types of lemon thyme, Oregano and Marjoram.
It is so nice to see the seeds have begun sprouting, the transplants are doing so nicely and that the garden is finally coming to life!!
I will get the tomato plants and pepper plants into the ground later this week. Just want the soil to warm up just a little bit more to ensure I won't loose any.
Doing the Happy Dance!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 22 2009 : 04:34:31 AM
Okay, My garden is coming together now and I am making my signs to put out . . . directing traffic to me I have figured out where to have them park and now have a questions:
How do I word a sign letting folks know that their pets are
Not welcome to run around!
The last thing I want is someone's dog doing his business for me to clean up . . . or even worse, upsetting my chickens! I was thinking of having my sign say: " Please keep all pets in your vehicle" or " No Pets Please"
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated here!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 13 2009 : 04:47:46 AM
Update
Well, they came and tilled the big garden for me yesterday morning!!
I am so happy, doing the happy dance!!!! My BF said " the last time you were this happy way last october when it snowed on your birthday! " LOL!!!
The garden measures 28' x 52' This week I will be busy breaking it up into sections that are 8' long by 7' wide. . . with a 2 foot wide path in between the sections. ( made out my garden plan last night)
I have had several folks already checking in to see what I will be offering for sale at my " Farm Stand"....My Farm Stand!!! I love it!!! A dream coming true!!!
Still to early to plant many things. . . we had hail on saturday, snow on sunday and pouring rain on monday. . . all with evening temps between 28 - 35 degrees. So, I will get the peas in, the hearty golden onions, lettuce, and maybe even a row of potatoes for now.
Don't worry, I am busy taking all kinds of pictures to document my adventure and will post some soon. .. promise!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
http://Twitter.com/Eastwooddesigns |
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 05:17:18 AM
That is a wonderful idea!! Thank you for the suggestion
I did giggle when you mentioned a high traffic area, the campground is small and it is a destination spot. . . however, if we see more than one car in an hour we all take notice! It is the morning talk " Wow, did you see the traffic jam, there were 3 cars at the turn around today at sunset" LOL!!
I do have to admit, the fishermen and women will definitely want some good bug repellant/spray since we are about to enter into the dreaded Black Fly season. ( they are worse than mosquito's in my opinion )
Off to find the recipe for bug spray,
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
| Mountain Girl |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 3:11:46 PM
What a wonderful idea--it really pays to be near a high traffic area. Since you are near a camping area you should market a herbal bug spray-I think there is a recipe for one somewhere on this forum. JoAnn |
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 3:06:23 PM
Thanks!! I have nurtured this dream for 25 years now.... I always say: " You need to have a Dream for a Dream to come true! "
They are going to till my garden sometime this week. . . if the rain isn't to bad!! I am so excited
My Nasturtiums have sprouted, my window box for my girls has Marigolds that have sprouted and the first of my peas are poking their little leaves up out of the ground today! To my surprise, the comfrey is up and the chives already have blossoms. . . and, I discovered 5 garlic's that I missed while harvesting last fall... they are doing great as well. Ahhhh, I am so happy spring is officially here. . . and early for the north country too!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 10:18:36 AM
Joanna - your plan sounds wonderful! This is something that is in my future plans too but will have to wait until I retire in 5 years. But I do go to farmer's markets and festivals. I love doing them.
Handmade Soap & Lotion Bars http://www.therusticcottagebath.com
The Rustic Cottage Blog http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
|
| JojoNH |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 04:51:31 AM
Well, the weather is still cold at night and seasonal temps during the day. If all goes well, in the next 2 weeks we should have the new garden tilled for the first time!! WaHoo!!
I am beginning all my plants indoors, since our growing season is so short and it will take a while for the ground temps to be what they should. I will have pictures for all of you to see and will post them soon!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
| JojoNH |
Posted - Apr 23 2009 : 04:46:27 AM
Thank you! Since going to farmers market is not an option for myself, I decided on a farm stand instead. ( we have a campground a 1/2 mile from us) So I have started letting folks know in our community and will start advertising after Memorial Day Weekend. By then, should have the first round of peas, peppermint, leaf lettuce and wild flowers ready.
Since this is a new venture, I have set out a 5 year plan. Working on getting the main garden set, then the wild flower garden. Once the gardens are set, we will then bring in some "old" variety of apple trees. With the final addition of our Honey Bees! Something I have really wanted to do for a long time now!
I will post pictures as we go along and will be updating my adventure through my blog. Here in the North Country our growing season is very short. . . today it is 36 and raining. . snow at the next elevation up from us ( we are at 2000' ) and by the weekend. . expect to hit 80 degrees! LOL!!
Let me know how you do at farmer's market, pictures too if you have them!! Best wishes for a successful season!!
Joanna #566
JojoNH
http://www.CountryCents.com
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com |
| mandymcar |
Posted - Apr 22 2009 : 8:28:27 PM
I haven't done this but I am hoping to go to the farmers market myself for the first time this summer. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.
M |
