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| Bundle up stems with rubber band | Twist tie to metal clothes hanger | Hang up herbs to dry |
Gently wash foliage on plants the night before harvesting with a sprinkling can or a fine misting with a garden hose.
Snip off foliage with a scissors. Bundle up the bottom ends of the stems with a rubber band. The band will keep the stems together as the herbs start shrinking while they are drying out.
Insert a metal twist tie around the rubber band and twist the twist tie around the bottom part of a wire clothes hanger. Add a label to each herb if desired.
Hang the clothes hanger with the herbs in a dry dark room with some air circulation to help prevent deterioration.
It will take about one to two weeks for the herbs to dry out. After the leaves have dried, remove the leaves from the stems. To further complete the drying process, spread the leaves on a cookie sheet. Dry the leaves in an oven for several minutes at 100 degrees. Allow leaves to cool. Store herbs in an airtight container away from heat and light.
Drying Seeds:
Collect seed heads when they reach maturity. Check seed heads for any infestation of insects. If so, dip seed heads in boiling water if any pests are present.
Dry the seeds in the sun for a few days, bringing them in at night. To remove seeds from seed heads, place heads into a paper bag and shake. Than completely dry the seeds on a cookie sheet in a warm 120 degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow seeds to cool. Store in airtight containers.
Freezing Herbs:
Gently wash foliage on plants the night before harvesting with a sprinkling can or a fine misting with a garden hose.
Snip off foliage with a scissors. Remove leaves from stems. Pat leaves dry with a paper towel if they are still wet.
Place leaves in zip lock bags and press out the air in the bags, then label and freeze.
| Herb | Dry Foliage |
Dry Seed |
Freeze Foliage |
| Anise | X | ||
| Balm, Lemon | X | X | |
| Basil, Sweet | X | X | |
| Bay, Sweet | X | X | |
| Caraway | X | ||
| Chervile | X | X | |
| Chives (chopped) | X | ||
| Coriander | X | ||
| Dill | X | X | X |
| Fennel | X | X | |
| Marjoram, Sweet | X | X | |
| Mint | X | X | |
| Oregano | X | X | |
| Parsley | X | X | |
| Rosemary | X | ||
| Sage | X | X | |
| Savory | X | ||
| Tarragon | X | X | |
| Thyme | X | X | |
For more detailed information on harvesting herbs, go to the Colorado Univesity Extension web site.
