Harvesting & Drying Herbs and My $1 Drying Rack

A few of my herbs are still producing like crazy, so this past weekend I spent some time cutting, washing & preparing them to dry.

I try to cut my herbs early in the morning. I have read that this is the best time to do it because they have rested overnight and their oils and moisture are concentrated in the leaves. During the day they are growing so the oils and moisture are spread throughout the plant.  They are then taken in the house and given a dunk in some nice cool water.

Herb Bath

Then they are laid on a towel to drain for a bit. Once they have drained I fold the towel up over them and pat them dry.

Draining

I have tried several ways to tie them up and have settled on twist ties. They are very flexible and if you add two of them together they are long enough to tie around the herbs and whatever you are going to hang them on. When they begin drying the stems shrink and fall out of strings and rubber bands. Twist ties allow you to tighten them up as the herbs shrink.

Herb Bundle with One Twist Tie

Second Twist Tie Added for Length

Then they are hung on the drying rack. Remember the drying rack I told you I bought for $1.00 at a yard sale? Well here it is not quite loaded but still doing it's job.

$1 Drying Rack

It even has room on top to put extra egg cartons. I am sure this is not what it was intended for but it works really great for this purpose.  The Okra is for decorating purposes, and the Sumac may be used for tea and decorating.  I really like that color for Fall and am thinking it might look pretty cool stuck in the Christmas tree. If I use it for the Christmas tree, I might have to figure out how to dip it in something to keep the little balls from falling off.

I am loving how it looks and smells!

Have a great day!
Mae

Sharing on The Homestead Barn Hop

Harvesting

It is a busy time around our house. We went on vacation for about a week and a half and had lots of fun with our children, grandchildren, my brothers ans sisters and their spouses and a few nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren.

Since we got home it has been back to work in the day time and picking things from the garden in the evening.  I think the bees are really helping us with our harvest this year.  I haven't had squash and zucchini last this long and look so healthy in a really long time.  We are picking them every other day.  I have picked one batch of fresh green beans. The tomatoes are beginning to turn red (I can't wait for the first one). And I will be picking black berries this weekend.  I hope there will be enough right for a batch of jelly. And the herbs are growing like crazy.  Here is a picture of some drying in the window.

Drying Herbs

 Tonight I cut, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Basil and Oregano.  I started to get out the dehydrator to dry them but I decided this way it wouldn't cost anything and use no extra electricity.  Win/win for me. And did I mention how good they smell, makes me want to cook something.

It has been really hot here, in the mid 90's all week. We have been in the pool as much as possible which hasn't been very much. But it's nice to be able to get into it.

Have a good week.
Mae