Where does everyone get their herbs?

bcabrobin

If you don't have or don't grow enough where do you get what you need?

Buy, trade, barter

Has anyone found a really good place?

Or do you just get seeds to grow for next year?

csinclair461

I get a lot of them from my yard. I am expanding my herb garden with plants from friends yards, seeds I have gathered, and plants I purchased. But I also keep getting to know all the naturally occurring herbs in my yard, and have met some wonderful ones! They frequently do better than the purchased ones. I buy some dried herbs at my local herb shops (I currently live in same town as mtn rose herb). Right now I am enjoying a fall harvest- the rains of September gave me a whole carpet of new growth of chickweed, cranesbill, and california poppy.

seeker.nancy - Central Texas

For the herbs I am not growing I use Mountain Rose and once in a while I find an organic one on Amazon so shipping is free (I have Amazon Prime.)

Torey

In Canada you can get bulk herbs from Harmonic Arts (very similar to Mountain Rose) and Richter's also has some available. Richter's is great for seeds.

VickiP

Mountain Rose Herbs and Amazon if it is something I will likely need at least a half-pound of. For smaller quantities I go to a little store near me that will let me buy in small quantities. I find it is cheaper in the long run to buy the larger amounts but I worry if it is something I won't be using up fairly soon the quality will suffer. For seeds, I like Baker Creek although I have found some other sources I think I will try next season.

merlin44

Mountain Rose if I have to buy something.

lmrebert

I use MRH, Starwest Botanicals, and frontier coop and my own yard

blevinandwomba

I usually buy from Mountain Rose (sounding familiar yet?). When growing from seed, I have gotten the seed from a variety of places- usually Sample Seed Shop, Pinetree, or Nichols. I did get Nettle seeds from MRH. I have gotten some of the common plants from a local nursery. An organic farm near me sells a very limited number of plants, but some of the more interesting ones. This year I got Korean Hyssop from them; it was a wonderful butterfly attractor.

Hassena

Mt Rose Herbs or Frontier, if we don't have something growing in our yard that's are go too. We have a few small local nurseries. There are several herb fairs too.

For seeds, i still like Johnny's, because you can purchase pounds! :)

Strictly Medicinal is another favorite for the more unique stuff.

Great questions, excited to learn more seed company offerings.

wbt.affiliates

I have a window greenhouse where I grow most of my herbs. Although it's great to be able to buy just about anything online, the one thing we can't do is buy herbs that are a part of our particular bio system unless we buy them from a local grower.

It's like buying food from a local farmer's market. The local produce is a part of your environment. Your body, being a pat of that environment, responds better to such food. The same goes for herbs. Most herbs take up little room. During your local growing season, you can grow and harvest a few favorites outside, then harvest them to make oils, teas, salves, whatever.

In the winter, you can bring in your favorites, like rosemary, which doesn't like cold weather at all.

Gail H

@bcabrobin I just found this webpage and it might be helpful. http://www.flackfamilyfarm.com/medicinals.html

I don't have any direct experience with this farm, but I just read the transcript of a talk given by the farmer, Doug Flack; it was really impressive. This may not be an option for a lot of folks, but if one lives in the northeastern US, it might be a good source. I see they have my good, old friend Solomon's Seal. I miss so many of the herbs from our place in SE Michigan; they just don't grow in South Jersey.

SuperC

Yes, I grow seeds for next year thus the reason of planting cilantro. Once a year I go to a local seed library, in a corner (not affiliated with the library) of the library, there is a small section. There, I find what I need as well as replenish seeds from what was harvested the prior year. Check your local libraries to find out if it has a seed library.

herbantherapy

I grow most of my own herbs but as I add to the garden some just are not big enough for a big harvest yet so I typically buy in bulk at my local food co-op who uses MRH and Starwest.

I buy or trade for most of my herb starts at the local Master Gardener Plant Sale. I can even request for a special herb for the next year (since for some reason I am the worst at starting seeds myself!)

burekcrew86

Grow some things myself. Love Mountain Rose Herbs.

Heidi

One of my neighbors is an herbalist and has quite a "farm", so I get many from her. If I can't get from her or grow myself, then I usually go to Mountain Rose Herb.