medicinal herbs

[msmith]

I am in the process of researching the growing of medicinal herbs commercially. I have planted several test plots which include black cohosh, ginseng, goldenseal, st. john's wort, echinacea, and valerian. I am trying to determine if there are farm implements available for creating raised beds, harvesting roots, and harvesting the top ten inches of a 3 foot plant such as St. John's Wort. I would also be interested in any information on building plans for these types of implements. Also, does anyone have information on growing stevia? Thanks for your interest. Mark Smith

[Mufferaw]

March 5/99 I am agrower of Native Plants in Alberta. I grow in plots 5 feet in width and up to 150 feet long. I separate each plot with a grass walkway of 4 feet. To make a raised bed, I rototill the plot as deep as my topsoil allows. When it is quite dry, I use my Snowblower to move 20 inches of each side into the middle of the plot. I modified the chute so it doesn't throw the soil too far. I use a slow gear and slow down the engine so it doesn't make too much dust. I am interested in finding a piece of harvest equipment that will pick the Rose Hips in early winter after the leaves have dropped It should be able to pick when the hips are still quite soft as the Prickly Rose doesn't dry very much on the bush Good luck on using the snowblower. Drop me a note on how you make out.