Growing Herbs In A Commercial Greenhouse
Herbs require more close attention than other crops in your commercial greenhouse. If you’re thinking about adding herbs to your crop schedule for the new year or improving your herb program, use these tips to grow the healthiest harvests of herbs.
Customers regularly look for common herbs in the spring as bedding and garden plants, aiming to grow one or two plants each of many varieties. With a bit of attention and care, herbs can be a productive and lucrative crop.
General Tips
Grow a wide variety of herbs. Not only will this make your greenhouse more appealing for customers, but it will also cushion any loss among one variety.
Basil, Cilantro, Dill, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme are some of the most popular herbs for kitchen gardens. Lavender and Russian Sage are often grown as landscaping plants.
Herbs are an excellent choice for any greenhouse as they require less fertilizer than other plants, face few issues from disease, and have a high demand in the market.
Watering Herbs
Watering herbs can be fussy. They can’t be set up on a timer or schedule like some crops and require closer attention instead. They’re more likely to be overwatered than underwatered.
Pay attention to the variety; some herbs are more sensitive to overwatering than others. Basil will struggle when it’s overwatered; Sage and Rosemary are drought-tolerant and won’t do well with too much water, either.
Water herbs in the morning, taking care not to get the leaves wet. Allow the top of the soil to dry out between waterings. Depending on the conditions in your greenhouse, this may mean that a daily watering isn’t feasible.
Watch for signs of downy mildew and root rot, and implement good watering practices and airflow in your greenhouse to avoid these.
Also, consider the humidity in your greenhouse, as this will influence soil moisture.
Fertilizing Herbs
Herbs require less fertilizer than many greenhouse crops. Most herbs grow well in soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0 and an EC of 1.0-2.0 mS/cm.
Pay attention to the needs of the individual herb. Basil, for example, needs more magnesium than other herbs. Generally, 150-200 ppm N is plenty for most herbs. Lavender and Rosemary are happy at a lower rate and can still thrive if grown at 100-150 ppm.
Please reach out to us with any specific questions about growing your business by growing herbs!
