Winter is coming. It's time to harvest what you can from the garden before the bitter cold claims it. I've put together this quick tutorial of how to collect, hang and dry garden herbs. Now you can enjoy the flavors of summer all winter long.
Step 1
Gather the Herbs you wish to dry. You want to cut as close to the base of the plant as possible. Do not worry about washing them, that will just increase the
likeliness of mold. You want to collect late in the day so dew is dried from the sun. I like to collect the day after a rain has washed them naturally. If you really want to wash them off, you could spray them with water in the morning and cut in the evening. They seem to be more fresh from a recent watering anyways.
Step 2
Make sure you have a little helper to "supervise". I had a few curious ones. They just love that basket. That's Cami, our munchkin cat.
Gather the Herbs you wish to dry. You want to cut as close to the base of the plant as possible. Do not worry about washing them, that will just increase the
likeliness of mold. You want to collect late in the day so dew is dried from the sun. I like to collect the day after a rain has washed them naturally. If you really want to wash them off, you could spray them with water in the morning and cut in the evening. They seem to be more fresh from a recent watering anyways.
Step 2
Make sure you have a little helper to "supervise". I had a few curious ones. They just love that basket. That's Cami, our munchkin cat.
Step 3
Trim excess leaves off bottom couple of inches of stem. You will be tying twine around these. Also at this time remove any dead or unhealthy looking leaves. It is easier to see them now than when they're dry. Do not skip this step.
Trim excess leaves off bottom couple of inches of stem. You will be tying twine around these. Also at this time remove any dead or unhealthy looking leaves. It is easier to see them now than when they're dry. Do not skip this step.
Step 4
Tie twine or string around the base of a few sprigs. Wrap it around and tie the two ends together. It doesn't have to be perfect, just make sure you do this as tight as you can. As the herbs dry out, they will shrink and may fall out if not tight enough. You do not want to make the bundles too big. See pictures, those are a good size. Air needs to be able to circulate. Herbs may get moldy if they're bundled too thick.
Tie twine or string around the base of a few sprigs. Wrap it around and tie the two ends together. It doesn't have to be perfect, just make sure you do this as tight as you can. As the herbs dry out, they will shrink and may fall out if not tight enough. You do not want to make the bundles too big. See pictures, those are a good size. Air needs to be able to circulate. Herbs may get moldy if they're bundled too thick.
Step 5
Hang herbs in a dry, well circulated, preferably dark location. You just do not want direct sunlight on them, as they will brown. I just string some twine up with tacks and use clothes pins. Not all homes will have ideal places, just do the best you can. Dry air is probably the most important factor, I wouldn't hang in a damp basement.
Hang herbs in a dry, well circulated, preferably dark location. You just do not want direct sunlight on them, as they will brown. I just string some twine up with tacks and use clothes pins. Not all homes will have ideal places, just do the best you can. Dry air is probably the most important factor, I wouldn't hang in a damp basement.
Step 6
Let the herbs dry for about two weeks or until crispy. You do not want to leave them hanging for too long or bugs may find them a perfect home. They will also attract dust if left too long. Once dry remove the leaves from stem and store in an airtight container. Use them however you desire.
Have any suggestions or questions? I would love to hear from you!
~Amanda~
Let the herbs dry for about two weeks or until crispy. You do not want to leave them hanging for too long or bugs may find them a perfect home. They will also attract dust if left too long. Once dry remove the leaves from stem and store in an airtight container. Use them however you desire.
Have any suggestions or questions? I would love to hear from you!
~Amanda~