The most comprehensive, truly practical guide to the cultivation of woodland botanicals
Not all saleable crops are dependent on access to greenhouses or sun-drenched, arable land. Shade-loving medicinal herbs can be successfully cultivated in a forest garden for personal use or as small-scale cash crops. Growing and Marketing Ginseng, Goldenseal and other Woodland Medicinals is a complete guide to these increasingly popular botanicals, aimed at aspiring and experienced growers alike.
In this fully revised and updated edition, authors Jeanine Davis and W. Scott Persons show how more than a dozen sought-after native species can generate a greater profit on a rugged, otherwise idle woodlot than just about any other legal crop on an equal area of cleared land. With little capital investment but plenty of sweat equity, patience, and common sense, small landowners can preserve and enhance their treed space while simultaneously earning supplemental income. Learn how to establish, grow, harvest, and market:
- Popular medicinal roots such as ginseng, goldenseal, and black cohosh;
- Other commonly used botanicals including bloodroot, false unicorn, and mayapple
- The nutritious wild food, ramps, and the valuable ornamental galax.
Packed with budget information, extensive references, and personal stories of successful growers, this invaluable resource will excite and inspire everyone from the home gardener to the full-time farmer.
Jeanine Davis is an associate professor and extension specialist with North Carolina State University. Her focus is helping farmers diversify into new crops and organic agriculture.
W. Scott Persons is the author of American Ginseng: Green Gold and an expert in growing and marketing wild-simulated and woods-cultivated ginseng.
About the Author: Jeanine Davis is an associate professor and extension specialist in the Department of Horticultural Science with NC State University. For over 25 years, she has focused on helping farmers increase their profitability by diversifying into new crops and organic agriculture. Jeanine is passionate about medicinal herbs and is in demand as a conference speaker and workshop leader in North Carolina and beyond. She also maintains several websites (ncherb.org, ncorganic.org, and ncspecialtycrops.org), aimed at supporting small- to medium-scale commercial growers.
W. Scott Persons is the author of American Ginseng: Green Gold and is widely recognized as an expert in the growing and marketing of wild-simulated and woods-cultivated ginseng. For over 30 years, his Tuckasegee Valley Ginseng Farm has supplied planting stock and consultative assistance to ginseng farmers across North America. Dr. Persons presents extensively on woodland ginseng production and has helped establish operations in countries all over the world including New Zealand and Argentina.
