Two additional ways to dry herbs are to lay them flat on screens or use your microwave. To prevent dust from settling on the bunches, place a paper bag over the herbs, leaving the bottom open to the air. It is also not advisable to dry herbs in the oven, because no matter how low the temperature is, the flavor is less than with other methods. Kitchens are often full of condensation from cooking. ![]() Avoid hanging herbs in the kitchen, even though it looks very attractive. Ideally, the temperature should be about 90☏. The ideal place to dry herbs is a warm, dark and well-ventilated place. There is a risk the inner leaves won’t dry properly and mold may develop if enough air can’t circulate through the bunch. If your plants are clean and free of pesticides, immediately after picking, hang small, loose bunches upside down from a rack or suspended from a line or cord. It’s not difficult to preserve herbs, but it must be done with care. To be successful with drying herbs, it’s important to remove the water from the leaves but at the same time keep as much of the oils and other compounds within the plant. This allows them to continue growing and store enough energy for overwintering. Stop harvesting stems from perennial herbs, like thyme and sage, in late summer. Washing is necessary only if the herbs are very gritty, but be sure to pat off any excess water with a paper towel before beginning the drying process. If they are not clean, brush off any loose dirt with a soft pastry brush. ![]() Select individual stems with healthy leaves and cut them each about 6–inches long. This is when the leaves contain the highest amount of aromatic essential oils. Harvest herbs for drying from stems that are in the bud stage, but have not yet flowered. In our special article you will find information on the use of thyme as a medicinal and aromatic herb.(L–R) Mint, parsley, and thyme lavender, rosemary, and thyme and basil (Photos by Pixabay)īy Sarah Browning, Extension Educator in Lancaster Countyĭo you have beautiful herbs in your garden and want to preserve them for use this winter? Then it’s time to get started drying your herbs. Thyme has long been known for its healing properties. No matter in which way – it is always worthwhile to extend the shelf life of the healing herb and enjoy it all year round. Otherwise, young shoots in particular will quickly start to mold. The only thing to note is that the shoots must be completely enclosed by the liquid. By the way, you can create a spicy vinegar or an oil with a Mediterranean touch.
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