Market Farming

[Sue <swtgrssfrm AT nls.net>]

Alex McGregor wrote:

> The fresh herbs are also a niche- because they're fresh and I don't use N 
> fertilizer
> (chemical or "organic") to force rapid growth. They therefore have a higher 
> aromatic oil
> content. One chef passed bags of my basil and mint around to some of his 
> regulars saying,
> "This is why the food tastes so good- his herbs."

I grew some basil- about 100 plants last year to try to expand into the herb 
market.  My
problem was with the harvesting.  I would cut the new growth off every couple 
days or so.  I
wasn't very systematic but would snip off a couple inches worth of stem and 
leaves.  I think
I might of been a little protective of the plants and didn't snip off enough. 
 It seemed very
labor intensive to pick basil this way.  About how big can you make the cut 
on basil with out
it being too much?  Thanks,
Sue