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Post by daylilydude on Mar 18, 2011 13:04:28 GMT -5
What is the best time to pick herbs for drying?
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Post by stratcat on Mar 18, 2011 15:40:39 GMT -5
Early in the day after the dew has burned off while the volatile oils are at their highest.
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Post by nofeargardener on Mar 20, 2011 10:54:39 GMT -5
Stratcat is right. I've also heard that the morning is the best time. And in case you weren't referring to the best "time of day" to harvest your herbs - I've found that the best time to harvest them in "the season" is before they go to seed. You can obviously cut the seed heads off to preserve the herb's flavor... but I personally think they taste their best just before the flowers develop. Then I just take my bunches of herbs, tie a piece of twine tightly around one end, and hang them upside down for drying. The kitchen smells GREAT when my herbs are hanging up! ;D
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Post by stratcat on Mar 20, 2011 11:25:26 GMT -5
As Nofeargardener said, best time of season is right before they flower.
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Post by organicbaby on Mar 24, 2011 17:55:47 GMT -5
Stratcat is right. I've also heard that the morning is the best time. And in case you weren't referring to the best "time of day" to harvest your herbs - I've found that the best time to harvest them in "the season" is before they go to seed. You can obviously cut the seed heads off to preserve the herb's flavor... but I personally think they taste their best just before the flowers develop. Then I just take my bunches of herbs, tie a piece of twine tightly around one end, and hang them upside down for drying. The kitchen smells GREAT when my herbs are hanging up! ;D And this has me in a bit of a tiz here. My sage is on the verge of blooming for the first time since I planted it and I'm so excited to see it's flowers I'm loathe to cut anything off of the plant! I'm afraid I'm going to have to sacrifice a little flavor in favor of satisfying my soul seeing the whole, perfect plant in full bloom, lol
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Post by organicbaby on Jun 2, 2011 18:52:56 GMT -5
I'm so glad I left the sage alone and let it bloom. It's bloomed for weeks and the bees have loved it!
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Post by nofeargardener on Jun 2, 2011 20:50:58 GMT -5
I did the same thing last year OrganicBaby. My sage plant was relatively new (a gift from a friend a couple years ago) and it started to develop it's flowers for the first time (that I noticed anyway) last year. My curiosity got the best of me so I left it alone. And you are correct. They are beautiful blooms. Beautiful enough to sometimes sacrifice a little flavor I think. ;D
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 5:54:09 GMT -5
The best time to get the best taste depends on the herb. The above advice to harvest dry is good. Some are better smaller, some large.
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