Anyone growing herbs? Need help!

jarrettfam
jarrettfam Posts: 186 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I grew herbs for the 1st time this year! They are growing like crazy! Does anyone know how to dry basil, parsley, oregano, lavender and mint? Any suggestions would be appreciated! My pots are so thick that they need thinned out! Thanks, Tab:smile:

Replies

  • jarrettd
    jarrettd Posts: 872 Member
    Sorry...I laughed right out loud. Living in WV and asking how to dry "herbs". ROFL!

    Anyway...I think you just air-dry them on suspended gauze out of direct sunlight. Humidity is your enemy as it will cause mold, and I can't imagine what kind of funky mold would grow on some herbs!

    You should be able to find some helpful resources online. Lots of folks grow their own and use them fresh right out of the planter.
  • Lisseth03
    Lisseth03 Posts: 518 Member
    I read growing herbs and completely thought something else...haha
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    Drying is the traditional method of herb preservation. If the herbs are clean, do not wet them. Otherwise, rinse dust and dirt from the foliage, shake off the excess water, and spread the herbs out to dry on paper towels or dishcloths until all surface moisture has evaporated. Remove any dead or damaged foliage. Then, tie the stems into small bundles with twine or string and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, airy place out of the sun. Be sure to make small, loose bundles and allow for good air circulation around each bunch.
  • 916lude
    916lude Posts: 305
    I read growing herbs and completely thought something else...haha

    Same! haha
  • jarrettfam
    jarrettfam Posts: 186 Member
    Thanks! Lol! You all crack me up! I couldnt think of another way to word it. Im so tired that my brain has went to sleep. :) Thanks again!
  • paintlisapurple
    paintlisapurple Posts: 982 Member
    Oh and share with neighbors...they'll love u for it!
  • sjohnny
    sjohnny Posts: 56,142 Member
    Drying is the traditional method of herb preservation. If the herbs are clean, do not wet them. Otherwise, rinse dust and dirt from the foliage, shake off the excess water, and spread the herbs out to dry on paper towels or dishcloths until all surface moisture has evaporated. Remove any dead or damaged foliage. Then, tie the stems into small bundles with twine or string and hang them upside down in a warm, dry, airy place out of the sun. Be sure to make small, loose bundles and allow for good air circulation around each bunch.

    This is what I've done. I wait until. Lose to the end of the season as I prefer to use them fresh as long as possible. You can also spread them out on a baking sheet and put them in he oven on as low a heat as you can get. Keep an eye on them if you do it this way.

    Another thing you can do is make different pestos and pour them into ice trays and freeze them. Put them in ziploc bags (labeled so you know which is which) and keep them in the freezer. You'll have pesto ready whenever you want throughout the year.
  • KStambulic
    KStambulic Posts: 131
    You can also freeze fresh herbs. My mother in law does it with parsley and dill. You can chop the up before or after freezing.

    http://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/food-storage-safety/freezing-herbs/
  • jarrettfam
    jarrettfam Posts: 186 Member
    Wow! Didnt know you could do all that! Any pesto recipies?
  • kristinL16
    kristinL16 Posts: 401 Member
    I'm growing cilantro, basil, thyme and oregano for the first time this year. I just cut off the cilantro close tonight but am not sure what to do with the rest. I know you shouldn't let them flower, but how do you cut them? The basil and cilantro are fairly tall but the others are not. Not sure if they are growing the way they should?

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