Harvesting, drying, and using the herbs growing in our community herb patch at the Berea Urban (Herban) Farm
Pictured at left: Anise hyssop at the Berea Urban Farm
I taught a harvesting workshop today for the Berea Herb Club and wanted to share some follow ups for the folks who attended the workshop….there was a lot to cover!
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
flowers must be harvested regularly in order for the plant to keep making more flowers
It will self-seed and often grows best when allowed to do this
This one hasn’t started blooming yet, but when it does, we will need to harvest the calyces regularly!
Drying herbs
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
flowers must be harvested regularly in order for the plant to keep making more flowers
It will self-seed and often grows best when allowed to do this
This one hasn’t started blooming yet, but when it does, we will need to harvest the calyces regularly!
Drying herbs
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
This will both act as a perennial in the spot its grow and self seed to other areas. Its an awesome plant for medicine and pollinators, so I let it spread! It is not invasive.
5. Bee balm – Monarda fistulosa
Was not in bloom as of 7/15/23, but should be soon. In the meantime, leaves can be harvested, especially since the plant has downy mildew that gradually works it way up the stem. Take care to harvest leaves without the downy mildew!
All of these mint family plants make wonderful tea, tinctures, honey extracts, and more! To make a tea, you can make it as strong as you like – to taste. Experiment!
To harvest all of the above plants, give them a good haircut once they start blooming and it will encourage them to bloom more. You can use both leaves and flowers.
Aster (Asteraceae) family plants
Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
flowers must be harvested regularly in order for the plant to keep making more flowers
It will self-seed and often grows best when allowed to do this
This one hasn’t started blooming yet, but when it does, we will need to harvest the calyces regularly!
Drying herbs
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
This will both act as a perennial in the spot its grow and self seed to other areas. Its an awesome plant for medicine and pollinators, so I let it spread! It is not invasive.
5. Bee balm – Monarda fistulosa
Was not in bloom as of 7/15/23, but should be soon. In the meantime, leaves can be harvested, especially since the plant has downy mildew that gradually works it way up the stem. Take care to harvest leaves without the downy mildew!
All of these mint family plants make wonderful tea, tinctures, honey extracts, and more! To make a tea, you can make it as strong as you like – to taste. Experiment!
To harvest all of the above plants, give them a good haircut once they start blooming and it will encourage them to bloom more. You can use both leaves and flowers.
Aster (Asteraceae) family plants
Chamomile – Matricaria recutita
flowers must be harvested regularly in order for the plant to keep making more flowers
It will self-seed and often grows best when allowed to do this
This one hasn’t started blooming yet, but when it does, we will need to harvest the calyces regularly!
Drying herbs
Dry herbs with temperature and humidity in mind – we are trying to remove the water content from the herbs as quickly as possible, while preserving the medicinal components
Herbs can be dried in a room with a dehumidifier to help remove moisture
Ideal drying temp for most herbs is between 95-105 degrees
Especially aromatic herbs, take care to not dry with too much heat – it will evaporate the aromatic constituents where most of the medicine lies
Sometimes dehydrators are too hot, but you may be able to use a dimmer plug to reduce the heat
This mesh herb drying rack is the best item I have found to dry a larger quantity of herbs in a smaller space.
Drying in paper bags, especially herbs with tiny flowers (like the Rose Agastache) also works well – just remember to shake the bag regularly to move the herbs around and make sure they have enough room for airflow
