Gathering:

- collect herbs on a dry clear day after the dew has lifted and before the sun has drained them of energy (i.e. earlier in the day is optimal)
- paper bags are excellent for collecting herbs; they don't take up much room, they help absorb moisture and they are not air tight
- gather herbs in areas away from pesticides, herbicides and other pollutants; avoid roadsides, train tracks and lawns treated with 'weed and feed' (or any other chemicals)
- take your time; be respectful of nature and all of its creatures
- harvest from the center of the plant colony instead of harvesting at the edge of a plant colony where it is trying to expand its territory
- do not over-harvest an herb patch; be mindful of the size of an herb patch and the general availability of the herb
- harvest only as much as you need for this year; dried herbs for medicinal use only have a one-year shelf life
- in your own way, give thanks to the earth for the bounty of your harvest
Drying:

- dehydrate herbs in an airy dry spot out of the sun; be sure plant material is not clumped and has enough space to dry properly
- dehydrators are excellent for drying heavier materials like flower buds and organic fruit peelings
- be sure herbs are bone dry before storing them or they will develop mold and spoil
Storage:

- once herbs are bone dry, package them in airtight containers (like mason jars) and store them in a cool spot away from sunlight
- be sure to label containers with the harvest date and location
- herbs loose their vitality after one year so it is best to replace them each growing season
Questions?
- please feel free to post questions in the comments section and I will do my best to answer them
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for stopping by! Your comments are very much appreciated!