Helpful Guide To Drying Homegrown Herbs

My first self-taught lesson when growing an edible garden was definitely to make sure you grow herbs!  Yes, they may not receive as much attention as your prize grown tomato or pumpkin, but they are just as important.  Herbs are easy, require little maintenance and add heavenly flavor to any garden grown dish you whip up.  They don't need a large amount of space to thrive and can even be planted by a kitchen window for easy access when cooking.  There are so many varieties of herbs that are perennials.  This is a definite benefit of growing them in your culinary garden.  While many veggies need to be replanted each season, your herbs will come back year after year.  There are also many herbs to choose from that have helpful medicinal properties.  With so many perks and uses, why not give growing herbs a try?

Chocolate Mint Growing In The Garden

So herbs are easy to grow, but then what?  Your plants will become healthier and stronger with a regular trim, but there is only so much fresh oregano you can throw in this week's homemade meals.  The next step to becoming a full-on homegrown herb enthusiast is drying.  It's very simple, and your profits are long-lasting and bountiful.  It's a great way to save money, and since you grew it, there are no preservatives or additives you may not know about.  There are many ways to store herbs so that they retain nutritional value as well as freshness and flavor for year-round use.  Even though it isn't a difficult task, here are some tips and tricks that can help make it a breeze! 

Drying Your Herbs

Mint, Oregano and Lemon Balm After Air Drying For 3 Weeks

The next step is to bundle your herbs.  Take a string or twine and bunch them together.  After this, let them air dry by hanging them.  Make sure you put them in a location that is warm and dry with plenty of air circulation.  A room above 70 degrees is the most preferable environment.  They should take a few weeks to dry out completely.  Avoid any damp or dark locations for this process.  You don't want to risk unhealthy mold spores growing and spoiling your green goodness.  I put them in a location where I can see them all the time, and give them a once over daily.  This process usually takes around two to three weeks.  Any herb can be dried like this, but some say that herbs like lemon balm or mint with a high moisture content can become moldy if they don't dry quickly enough. I personally have not encountered this problem, but to bypass it you can put them in the oven.  Set your oven at the lowest setting possible (under 170 degrees).  Once it is heated, turn it off and place your herbs inside until dry.  You may have to repeat this process a few times.  Watch them closely so they do not burn.  Another option is drying your herbs outside on a hot day.  I take an old window screen and put them in a spot that receives a good amount of warm sunlight during the daylight hours.  You want to make sure at dusk you remember to bring them inside so they don't become dewy or damp.  This should take about 1 to 2 days.  You will know your herbs are completely dried when they crumble easily in your hands.  Remember that dried herbs can last you anywhere from one to three years if stored properly!

Storing Your Herbs

Once your herbs are completely dry, make sure to store them properly for optimum freshness.  The most important factor for successful storage is finding a dry and cool location.  You don't want warm anymore, but you still want dry.  Also, make sure you store them in an air-tight container.  Here are the few easy steps I take.

Step 1: Separating the leaves from the stem.

This process can get a bit messy, so do it on a surface with plenty of room that is easy to clean.  I like to work on a flat, wooden surface for less hassle and flexibility when moving my herbs around.  Yes, that is a mosquito bite on my hand.  I work hard every day for my herbs and the number one obstacle is pesky insects!  I can attest that it is worth it. 

Here are the results from just separating the oregano from the stem.  After this step, I like to achieve my desired consistency for storage using my mortar and pestle.  Another way to do this is with a coffee grinder or an herb grinder.  If desired, you can store the leaves just like this in a large glass jar.  Then you can grind fresh when ready to use. 

Step 2: Grind up your leaves

You can grind them up to desired consistency before or after storage.  It is important to note that some flavor is released in the grinding process.  When herbs are ground into a powder, they will lose their freshness quicker.  They can last up to three months in powdered form if placed into air tight glass jars and put into a refrigerator or freezer. 

Oregano ground into a more powdery consistency

Step 3: Store for later use

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