Would you like to know how to....?

Written by Sue, Wednesday, May 14, 2014       Sunny, very hot and humid, 90's, 

Though I have been sweating up a storm,(old southern saying) I won't complain about the heat and humidity, because I promised Mr P. last winter I wouldn't, no matter how hot and humid it got. ~smile~ I sure hope I will be able to keep this promise, cause a promise is a promise, I forgot to tell him my fingers were crossed. ~smile~

      ~Herb gathering, and preserving~

Has anyone bought herbs at the grocery store lately, such high prices they are charging. Do you use herbs, if so, I am here to tell you that you can grow, harvest, dry and make your own herb blends for minimum money..

You don't have to have a large space, herbs do well in containers, and in raised beds, they even like living among your flower beds.

 For some reason my herbs are producing early this year, last week, I gathered, different thyme's, oregano's, parsley, and marjoram. This week sage, and more of the same, herbs should be gathered about mid morning not early, as mid morning is when their flavors are at their peek for the day.

 Wash in cold water,handle with care and  try not to bruise the leaves as that releases some of the oils,

 Place in salad spinner, my salad spinner has become one of my best go to for veggies and herbs, makes work a lot easier and quicker, and quicker works for me, see that brown speck on the leaf it went the way of the trash can, always inspect leaves and stems.

I then place them on the counter with paper toweling underneath, feed sack towels work well too! I also picked strawberries and made more jam.

 There are several methods for drying herbs, a dehydrator is quicker, but I am told, vie the internet, this method might dry the oils to much, I used this method last summer and didn't find that to be true, however.. I have decided to try both ways this year. And then there is

 the old fashion way.  When you air dry, you don't have to keep rotating trays,  I bunched the herbs and placed a small rubber band around them, hung them on  a wooden clothes dryer in a bedroom that is dark, this bedroom has a ceiling fan which I ran on low just to keep the air circulating. 

This is what the herbs look like today, coming along so nicely, I have added a bunch of Mother's Day roses and lavender to dry. Once they are dried I will show how I store them, so stay tuned.

Not hard at all, was it.  

While out dead heading roses today I decided to bring a few inside along with more lavender to dry.I have some great ideas for using lavender, absolutely one of my favorite herbs.

Enjoy your day,

Blessings,

 Sue