Harvesting and Drying Herbs

How do I harvest and dry the herbs from my garden?
The traditional method is to cut them, tie them loosely together, and hang them upside down to dry.  It is as easy as that...well, almost.  It is best to allow them to dry in a cool, dry place, with air movement.  A dry basement, garage, or shed works well.  Attic spaces are usually too hot...you end up cooking all the goodness out of your herbs.  Another method is to lay the herb flat on a screen to dry, or you may use a dehydrator at a low heat.  Be careful not to over-dry the herbs or to leave them so long they are dusty.

How long will the herbs take to dry?
It depends on the weather, temperature, and water content of your herbs.  If the weather is rainy, the herbs may reabsorb water from the air and take longer to dry.  If they feel dry to the touch, try rolling a couple of leaves between your palms...Do they make a moist ball?  Or do they crumble?  When the herbs are ready they will crumble fairly easily.  I like to store the herbs in quart-size canning jars.  Check the inside of the lid about 3 days after you seal them.  If there is moisture there, you need to dump out your herbs onto a screen and let them dry a little more.  Watch out for mold!

When do I harvest the herbs?
Harvest on a sunny day, not after a recent rain. It is best to cut them in the morning after the dew has dried on the plants, but before it gets too hot and they begin to wilt.  Harvesting the leaves of the plant may be done at any time in the growing cycle...Avoid yellow or diseased leaves.  If you want the leaves and not the flowers, it is best to cut them before the flowering cycle begins.  Once the plant flowers, most of its energy will be in the flowers and then producing seeds.  It is best to harvest the flowers before they are fully open.

What about roots?
Roots should be harvested in the fall when the plant is fully developed and it is easy to identify.  Wash the roots carefully and slice them while they are fresh.  You may also want to run them through an old-fashioned meat grinder.  It is almost impossible to cut roots after they are dried...Even when fresh you may want to enlist some muscular help!    Lay the root pieces on a screen to dry. 

Other things to note:
Be aware that some herbs may give off smells as they dry, which may bother sensitive or allergic persons...especially if in large amounts.  Remember to label your herbs as they dry, because they will look quite different than the fresh herb, and many dried herbs look alike.  Dried herbs should be stored in airtight containers and in a cool, dark place.   Optimum quality will be in the first year, but herbs stored properly will last a long time.  If it still has color, taste, and smell...then it still has medicinal value.

Enjoy the beauty of your drying herbs.