Trying Herb Drying

First attempt at drying under way.

I’ve started my first attempt at herb drying. Most of my plants are too young for harvesting much more than a sprig here and there to season dinner, but the basil and rosemary (and mint, for that matter) are hardy. We also planted marigolds in both of our raised beds, and the ones in the front are doing really well. As an aside, we have a massive marigold plant in the back bed that hasn’t bloomed yet. It finally has the beginning of buds, and I can’t wait to see what it produces. The basil is planted on the herb side of the front bed, and the rosemary is in two large terracotta pots, one on each side of the front steps. I planted some English thyme at the base; of each one survived. In the fall, my goal is to put them in the ground on the north side of the front yard (one on each corner) and to move our lavender plants to create a sort of mediterranean border. The remaining English thyme will probably go in the herb bed.

Herb drying knob.

I cut the basil and rosemary sprigs, as well as the marigold heads, in the morning and gave them a good soaking. After washing the tiny harvest, I laid it out on a kitchen towel to dry. Once they were mostly dry (I’m not the most patient, remember), I tied them in small bunches and hung them on doorknobs. Basil holds more water, so the bundles are smaller. Eventually, I’ll have a place to hang them in the apothecary. For now, doorknobs will do.