There are two ways your business can utilize dried grass for profit increase. You can sell dried grass on its own, or sell products created using dried grasses. You'll see the most profit by combining the two endeavors.

Whether you run a craft business, floral business or a farming business, the key is finding the best dried grass for sale or the best grass seed for sale. When shopping for dried floral grasses or grass seed, remember the following:

1. Decorative dried grass adds dimension, texture and color to floral arrangements and craft projects. Check the height and color of dried grass before purchase.

2. Certain dried grasses work well in food dishes and beverages. You can offer these herbal type grasses for sale, along with your other products.

3. Grass seed is like any other seed, meaning it grows better in certain areas. Some grasses have certain soil, sun and moisture needs that your area may not provide.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick decorative dried grasses specific to your needs

Certain grasses work especially well in dried grass arrangements, such as dried fountain grass, which is tall and stiff. Any tall and stiff grasses poke easily into floral foam and add height to smaller arrangements. Companies also dye dried grasses an array of bright colors, and most suppliers offer the grass in both natural and dyed colors.

I recommend: Find natural and dyed grasses from Dried Flowers Direct. Get dried long grass and fountain grass from Nettleton Hollow.

Offer customers dried grasses that do more than just decorate

Dried lemon grass, dried barley grass and dried wheat grass all provide nutritional value or flavoring to foods. The uses for these grasses include putting them in tea, making a juice out of them, and using them as a seasoning or as a sweetener.

I recommend: Stock up on barley grass from Dry Flowers Resources. Order prepackaged bags of dried lemon grass from Local Harvest, Inc. You can offer customers a wheatgrass kit from WheatgrassKits.com, which lets them grow and process their own wheatgrass.

Make sure the seeds for your dried grass grow well in your area

Every area is put into a growing zone. Most garden suppliers know which seeds work best in which zones. If you find grass seed at a local supplier, then most likely that grass works well in your area. If you find that your area isn't promising for growing dried grass varieties, consider investing in a greenhouse.

I recommend: Find a variety of grass seed, most with a zone notation, at Seedman.com. Browse a wide selection of greenhouse kits and supplies at American Greenhouse Kit Company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can save money on ornamental grasses by drying grass on your own. For most grass varieties, you wait until the seed head forms and then cut the grass at soil level. Lay it in the sun for 3 to 4 days, turning occasionally and watching for moisture, then decorate with or sell the dried grass.