Harvesting Herbs
are done, tap the tray so that the seeds will roll to the opposite (empty) end of the tray for easy packaging. Then seal them in an airtight jar and store in a cool, dry location.
Flowers
To dry flowers for potpourri or herb wreaths, different methods apply to different flowers. Some flowers may dry well in the dehydrator or on a screen, while others may only do well by using silica gel (at most craft stores). Other flowers dry better upright than hanging upside down, such as black eyed Susans. With this method, dry flowers upright in a vase with a little bit of water. Let the water evaporate slowly, while the plants maintain their open shape.
Methods Other than Air Drying
Microwave oven: Try not to dry more than one to two cups at a time. Place one layer of plant materials between two paper towels, setting timer for 2 or 3 minutes. Check the leaves and add 30 seconds at a time until done. Do not overcook! Make a note for future reference how much drying time was needed for each herb. Make sure the herbs are completely cooled before placing them in containers.
Conventional Oven: Set temperature to100° and heat on a baking sheet until crisp. Time will vary, but try for ½ hour.
Food Dehydrator: This is good for larger, fleshy leafed herbs that do not dry well by hanging. Set temperature between 95° and 100°. Try not to dry at any higher of a temperature so that the oils and flavor are not lost. Most should dry within one to a few hours.
Storage: When completely dry, strip the leaves off the stems and store the herbs in air tight containers. Label well, including the date packaged. For the best flavor retention, I recommend storing the whole leaf. Every time the leaves are crushed, they lose flavor. The herbs can be crushed as they are needed for a recipe. Store the containers away from direct sunlight to prevent bleaching. If you have a high humidity problem, try placing a small packet of white rice in your containers. This will absorb some of the unwanted moisture. As far as shelf life goes, I use a year as a guide to herb storage life. By that time you should have another harvest to replace any unused herbs in storage!
Herb Sugars And Syrups
What a great way to store some
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