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Fall Activities:
Drying and Preserving Herbs

Drying herbs is very easy to do. The trick is to harvest them at the right time. The herbs should be picked just as they are beginning to flower. This is when their flavor and color can be best preserved, or saved. It is important that the drying process of the plants be slow. If water evaporates from the plant too quickly, oils are lost.

Cut the herb stems and leaves. Wipe off any dirt that is on the leaves. Only wash the leaves if they cannot be brushed clean. Hang them upside down in small groups in a cool, dry place, away from any sun exposure. To store the herbs, remove leaves from the stems, but keep the leaves whole. (This will help retain the scent of the herb longer.) Place the leaves in an airtight container, label it, and keep it out of sunlight.

To dry seeds, (fennel and dill) remove seed heads of the plants and hang them over a paper bag to dry. Hang sunflower heads upside down until the seeds are dry, too. When seeds are dry shake the seed head, and the seeds will drop into the bag.

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Fall Activities: Drying and Preserving Herbs

Fall Activities:
Drying and Preserving Herbs