Herbs

Harvesting

Specialists say pick early in the morning, but with our busy lives..pick then the lowest pair of flowers begins to open. Or whenever is best for you.

Drying

For herbs you want to be very dry, such as leaves for tea, or to preserve rose buds, dry in a dehydrator such as you see in the department stores. Then store in tightly sealed containers.

You can also hang your herbs to dry in bunches, or threaded on a string. Dry in a place with some air movement and no direct sun or bright light.

Storing

Never store herbs where they will be exposed to bright light. Glass jars with tight lids are best for things from the dehydrator. Sometimes things like peppers have not dried completely and will then mold in sealed containers.

Air-dried mints, artemesia, and things can either be stored in shoeboxes or other similar boxes with lids. Make sure the storage area is dry and safe from insects, mice, and small children. Herbs dried in hanging bunches can also be left hanging for decoration. And scenting the air!

Using

Herbal Salts. Use Kosher salt from the grocery store. Beat in an amount of whatever herb(s) you wish to flavor the salt to make a porporiton. I use a wooden spoon in a ceramic bowl not metal. Fresh herbs do a better job of scenting salts than dried. You can also layer fresh herbs to make a "wet potpourri" which you should stir every other day until it has "stabilized."

Extracts.

Fill a small jar (like a jelly jar) with fresh flowers or flower buds, or leaves. Pour in vodka to cover herbs, close jar. Leave in jar about 2 days. Shake and turn over periodically. After about 5 days, strain herbs out (dry separately, they retain some scent). Pour extract back into jar and cap securely. Store in a cool dark place. You can also make flavored vinegar for cooking this way.

Wreaths and Swags

Herbs like Artemesia lend themselves to being made into bases for wreaths. I dry it for at least 4 days, hanging in bunches. You don't want the herbs to be bone dry or they will crack, not bend.

I make bases from vines when I cut back my grapes in the spring. I form the bases and hang them in the barn to dry over the summer. If you use fresh cut vines they will warp and you will soon have an oval wreath.

Once the Artemesia is wound through the grapevine, I will let it set a day or two, then add other herbs with my hot glue gun.

A finished wreath should not be sprayed with anything, they do well to breathe and will scent the air around them.

Herbal wreaths hung outdoors will deteriorate rapidly, but wreaths hung indoors generally will last about 2 years. You can then renew them with fresh herbs. Or toss them in your fire for a type of incense.

Favorite Books

The Scented Room by Barbara Milo Ohrbach
ISBN: 0-517-56081-x 1986

Natural Crafts from America's Backyards by Ellen Spector Platt
ISBN 0-87596-763-9 1997

The Lavender Garden by Robert Kourik
ISBN 0-8118-1570-6 1998

Home Herbal by Penelope Ody
ISBN 1-56458-863-7 1995

Sources

For herbs and spices, try any of the Indian or Asian food stores. You can often buy them there much cheaper than the supermarket or any of the specialty health stores. I especially recommend: Omar's on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, Time Saver on Main Street/Route 5 in East Hartford

For soap making supplies, I have been using Buffalo Girls Goat Milk Soaps. 1915 Buffalo Ridge Canton, NC 28716 They sell bulk soap base as well as a variety of herbs and herbal oils. And bags for packaging creations!
http://www.buffalogirlgoats.com/

For bottles and jars, I save all my spaghetti sauce jars, jelly jars, etc. I have large plastic jugs which I store rosebuds in, for extra sealing I tape them with clear packing tape until I'm ready to use the roses.

I have seen some pretty and inexpensive glass containers at places like Christmas Tree Shops. Tag sales are often great sources, too.