Nowadays, green is in. Due to the alarming environmental degradation, many careers and industries have been shifting to the green paradigm. The growing herb industry is one of the key players in making the earth greener than it has ever been.

This industry could boast of its immediate and across the board growth. Private homes, associations, large-scale and small-scale farms, virtual communities - all these have jumped in the wagon to grow herbs for assorted reasons.

Private herb growing

Herb gardens now adorn both indoor and outdoor spaces of most homes. Most small households have at least six herbs growing in small pots, strategically placed in indoor spaces - nearby window and door openings, and outdoor spaces - rooftop and porch areas. Other homes that have wide stretches of lawn and backyard spaces engage into high-maintenance gardening styles - potager or kitchen herb garden which could be classified into different styles, the elaborately patterned knot garden or the rustic freestyle cottage garden.

These home gardens also differ in which herbs are grown. Most have perennials for medicinal purposes. Most have annuals for culinary purposes. Either purpose automatically includes the ornamental or aesthetic value of herb plants.

Green Associations

These associations have participation ranging from holistic medical practitioners, botanical council members, herb growers at home and from commercial producers/farmers, to landscapists. In the USA alone, there are over fifty national associations with satellite offices spread generously among fifty states and sister cities in other countries.

These associations are formed to popularize the use of herbs as integrated in current lifestyles. The most popular ones are the growers' associations, which are also trade groups for private and commercial markets. Other associations include conservation of native herbs, scientific research and education about how herbs could be sustained for future uses and proving the medicinal qualities of herbs.

Virtual spaces for herb growing

Technology has paved a way for this cause to become widely held and spread. There are various websites that host a diverse assortment of giving out information about the herb industry.

HerbWorld Online, from the Herb Growing and Marketing Network, is one website that hosts web links focusing on herbs. Its main page called HerbNET gives a selection of twenty three venues dedicated to herbs. They also have their own search engine option to narrow down your search for herb topics.

This site includes links to herb online magazines; green associations; herb fast facts; herb trading; online shops and links for gardening reference books; herbal and herb gardening products; services like herbal retreats, spas, yoga centers and vegetarian restaurants, among others.

There also other websites offering online blogs for home herb gardeners. Through this, many virtual communities have established networks which provide quick helpful tips for beginners, reviews of gardening tools, and exchange of any information about herbs. Some of these virtual communities have become actual clubs where herb enthusiasts meet and trade herb growing secrets.

The growing herb industry would not desist as it apparently augments the campaign for improving the earth's condition and helps human lives to be healthier.