Harvesting and Drying Herbs
As the summer season nears, the herbs that you have diligently been growing in containers have become ripe for drying; preserving for winter use. Historically those who grew, dried, and used herbs productively were well regarded for their knowledge. Effectively drying herbs for use all winter long is going to add to your skills and abilities as a gardener, too.

Posted Wednesday, April 5, 2006

While you are drying herbs the key is to remove the water from the plants, while at the same time allowing the oils and compounds that are in the herbs to remain intact. This may sound a little difficult but really, it is all common procedure for drying.

The best time of the day to pick and cut herbs from you garden is the early morning after the dew has dried, and before the sun is hot and bright. A cloudy day is regarded as the best day to cut herbs from the garden, as the sun has had no chance of working on the herbs before you have a chance to get to them.

One important thing to remember is to only cut the plants that you are going to be able to work with that day, or what's leftover will go to waste. It may take more than two or three days to cut and dry all of the herbs that you want to use for the winter.

To cut herbs be sure that your knife or scissors are sharp. Herbs that are broken and with mangled stems can lose some of their precious oils and, therefore, their potency. A clean straight cut is what you are aiming for. Keep the herbs you are cutting from wilting by placing the cut herbs in a bucket with a bit of cool water. Do not dunk the entire plant, instead, just lightly place the cut stems into the water for refreshing until you get them in the house.

If your herbs have any amount of pesticides on them, you will need to wash them down, and then pat the water off the plants. You can hang dry herbs by hanging them upside down bunched together. A simple string, ribbon, or band will do just fine. Try not to put too many together as the inside herbs could rot and grow fungus or bacteria.

Another way that you can dry herbs it to put them on a screen or wire shelving and lay them flat for a few weeks. This can take up more space, but if you have the room in a greenhouse or other area in your home will be a great way to dry herbs.