Do you love the robust flavor fresh herbs add to your summer cooking? Wish you could bottle it up to have year-round? What if I said you can! and it is so easy to do? Hooked yet? Ok enough questions.
Herbs are one of the easiest plants to grow (yay!). They love a well-drained, sunny spot in the garden and also thrive in a container. Most herbs also enjoy a good pruning, when done correctly it can even improve future growth. To know when to harvest you first need to know what part of the plant you will be using. Some herbs you can use leaves, flowers, seeds, etc. and harvesting the different parts should be done at different times.
Harvesting Leaves
The best time to harvest leaves is in the morning right after the dew has dried. This is when the oils are at their strongest which is the part of the plant that gives the aroma, flavor, and medicinal properties. By harvesting at this time the herb will retain its highest potency. When taking trimmings, I prefer to cut the whole stem, cutting right above a pair of new leaves (such as on a basil or rosemary plant) will result in increasing future growth at the site of the cut. I like to cut as close to this point as possible. You now have two options, you can leave the leaves on the stem, tie with twine and hang upside down to dry in a dark but dry location or you can go ahead and remove the leaves from the stem to dry on screens or paper towels (again out of direct sunlight but in a dry location). You can also dry them in the oven on cookie trays with the oven set to the lowest temperature or in a dehydrator, although the application of heat can reduce the intensity of the flavor.
I prefer to hang the full stem intact upside down until dry. Once completely dry (usually around 2-3 weeks) I remove the leaves and put into a glass jar, sealed with a lid and stored in a dark location. You can go ahead and grind your herbs at this time for easier use in the kitchen, but this will reduce the potency of the flavor. When using your home dried herbs, keep in mind they will be more potent dried than they were fresh so it’s important to taste test as you spice your recipes.
Harvesting Flowers
The best time to harvest flowers is when the flower is completely open (so for instance on day 2 of a chamomile bloom), with the exception of lavender which is better harvested when the buds are completely colored but not yet opened. When harvesting flowers, you first have to decide if you will be using or keeping the stem. If keeping the stem, trim a little longer, if not using the stem you may choose to simply cut right at the base of the flower bud (such as with chamomile flowers and roses). Once you’ve collected your flowers those with stems can be tied together and hung upside down to dry. Those which you have trimmed only the blossom can be laid out on a screen or paper towel out of direct light and in a dry location to dry completely. Once dried, store blossoms in an airtight container our of direct light. Many herbal flowers can be used for both decoration, herbal teas, and other medicinal purposes once completely dried.
Harvesting Seeds
Seeds are the exception to the rules above. When harvesting seeds, the best method is to allow them to completely dry while on the plant. The best way to know they are dry is to assess their color change, they will usually be brown or black, and they will come away from the seed head very easily as well as feel dry to the touch. It is best to harvest fully dried seeds in the afternoon or evening when they are completely dry (and on a dry day without rain). Once collected, store in an airtight container out of direct light.
Most dried herbs retain their full flavor and usefulness for up to one year’s time, after that they will be less flavorful and may have reduced medicinal benefits.
What herbs will you be growing and using year-round? Let me know below!!
