Tie a strong loop on each end of the string. Get yourself some string or kitchen twine, and cut it into lengths of 1-2 feet.
#Growing thyme in pacific northwest how to#
Herbs Drying On The Porch How to Do It The String Lastly, my harvests tend to be on the larger side, so the dehydrator fills up too quickly to be a very effective option for me. Also (as I’ve mentioned before) I am a lazy gardener, and it’s a quicker and easier method for me. Something about seeing bundles of herbs hanging around my house and porch just makes me happy. Hanging herbs to dry is usually my chosen method. Dehydrators are also a great option if you don’t want bundles of herbs drying all over your house at harvest time! Hanging to Dry Time will vary a lot based on your plants. I start with a couple hours and check in on them. For many herbs a good place to start is 140 degrees. Dehydrators work great if you need to dry your herbs quickly or if you have a smaller harvest. If you use a dehydrator, follow your manufacturer’s instructions, as the time and temperature for different herbs will vary. There are two main methods for drying your plants: using a dehydrator and hanging to dry. Many herbs need to dry quickly, so I don’t like to add moisture to the process.ĭo your own research, and make the choice that feels best to you! Fresh Thyme Drying Keeping them dry before the dehydrating process begins also helps deter mold from forming. I also tend to come from the “Dirt Don’t Hurt” side of life, and leaving them just as they are doesn’t bother me. First, I garden using organic methods, so I believe my plants are pretty safe. If you use chemicals in your garden, I would definitely recommend washing them.įor the most part, my choice is to not wash my herbs before drying for a few reasons. If you do wash your herbs, just make sure to dry them thoroughly before you start the drying process, so you don’t have any danger of mold or fungus. Some people feel much more comfortable taking the time to wash their herbs before drying to remove any impurities.
If you see any, discard those, as well.Ĭut Herbs Above Leaf Sets To Encourage New Growth To Wash Or Not To Wash Gather only the healthy parts of the plant, and discard any yellow, brown, or diseased leaves. Leaving the leaves is essential, because the new shoots will sprout between those leaves and the stem. You’ll want to cut the herb near the bottom of the plant, making sure to still leave a few sets of leaves growing at the base.Ĭutting the stem just above a set of leaves stimulates the plant to grow more, kind of like when we get a haircut. Morning time is optimal, but you will be just fine if you do it later in the day. Head out on a spring or early summer morning, after the dew has dried, with your trusty scissors or pruners. The process is fairly simple, and can be used with most herbs. Harvesting herbs might be much easier than you thought.
Herbs can be very expensive, and growing them yourself is a great way to save some coin! You definitely want to grow what you like! But you may also want to consider what would save you the most money at the grocery store. Here are some good ones for the Pacific Northwest:
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Thyme In Full Bloom, Not A Good Time To Harvest What to Harvestĭeciding which herbs to grow and preserve depends on a number of things. Before the blossoms come, the plant will be at its peak for harvesting. Once the herb starts to flower, it puts its energy into its blossoms instead of its leaves. Make sure to harvest before the herb starts to flower. Harvesting them earlier in the season will encourage more growth, which will lead to both continued harvests throughout the season, as well as healthier plants, long term.Since the weather is still fairly cool, the plants haven’t been damaged yet by the sun or overheating.Most pests and diseases haven’t become a problem yet, so your plant will be cleaner, stronger, and easier to harvest.Plants are new, fresh, and at their height of greatness!.Spring and early summer is typically the best time to harvest your herbs. Freshly Harvested Rosemary When to Harvest If you enjoy more details, start reading here. I also have a quick video link at the bottom that shows my method. If you’d like to skip to the short version on how to dry herbs, pop down to the end of this article. You’ll also notice that your homegrown herbs are brighter and have a fresher flavor than their store bought cousins. Once you start growing your own, you will never want to buy them again! The process is fairly simple, and there is a huge sense of pride in growing them yourself. Herbs can be super expensive at the store.
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