From Garden to Pantry: A Quick Guide to Harvesting and Storing Herbs

There's nothing like snipping off a fresh sprig of basil or thyme and adding it straight to your cooking, but what do you do when you have a plentiful garden and want to save your herbs before the winter? The good news is, that you can harvest, dry, and store your herbs to enjoy their fresh flavors all year long. Let's walk through the process, step-by-step.

1. Timing is Everything: When to Harvest Your Herbs

   The first thing you need to know is that timing plays a significant role in getting the

   most out of our herbs. You want to harvest them when their essential oils are at their peak giving them their wonderful flavor and aroma.

   
   

   Pro Tip: The best time to harvest herbs is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun. This keeps the oils concentrated in the leaves and gives you the most potent flavor.

   
   

   ** For leafy herbs like basil, mint, and parsley, wait until they've grown a decent amount, but do not let them flower! Once they start to flower, the leaves can become bitter. For woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage, you can snip off the sprigs anytime, though you'll still get the best flavor just before they bloom.

   
   

2. Harvest Without Harming Your Plants

   We want to harvest our herbs in a way that encourages more growth, rather than stunting them. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears, and cut just above the set of leaves. This will help the plant branch out, giving you more herbs to harvest later.

   
   

   Quick Tip: Don't cut off more than one-third of the plant at a time. It needs those leaves to keep growing strong!

   
   

   

   
   

3. Drying Herbs: The Old-School Method Still Works!

   Drying herbs is one of the best ways to preserve them for long-term use. There are a few ways to do this, but one of the easiest is just hanging them up. It’s super low-effort and, bonus, it makes your kitchen smell amazing.

   • Step 1: Rinse your herbs gently with cool water to remove any dirt or bugs. Shake them to remove excess water, then pat them dry with a towel.

   • Step 2: Gather a small bunch (4-6 stems) and tie them together with string or a rubber band.

   • Step 3: Hang the bunches upside down in a warm, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Somewhere with good air circulation is best.

   In about one to two weeks, your herbs will be completely dry and ready to store.

   

   
   

   **Quick-Dry Methods for the Herb Gardener in a Hurry

   If you're in a hurry, or maybe you don't have the right conditions for air drying, you can use methods like oven or microwave drying to speed up the process if you don't own a dehydrator.

   • Oven Drying: Spread your herbs in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven on the lowest setting (ideally under 200°F) for 1-2 hours. Keep the oven door slightly open for airflow.

   • Microwave Drying: Lay the herb leaves between two paper towels and microwave them in 30-second intervals. It usually takes 1-2 minutes total, depending on the herb.

   
   
   
   

4. Storing Your Dried Herbs Like a Pro

   Once your herbs are dry, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their flavor. Glass jars with airtight lids work best, but you can also use resealable plastic bags. Just make sure they’re kept in a cool, dark place, like a pantry.

   
   

   Pro Tip: Keep your herbs whole (like rosemary sprigs or basil leaves) until you’re ready to use them. Crushing them releases essential oils, which are great for cooking but cause them to lose their potency faster when stored.

   

   
   

How Long Do Dried Herbs Last?

Dried herbs typically stay fresh for about a year, though their flavor will slowly fade over time. To get the best results, check them every now and then — if they’ve lost their scent, they’re probably past their prime.

Whether you are making homemade teas, seasoning your favorite dishes, or crafting DIY gifts, you'll always have the perfect herb on hand! With a little patience and care, you can harvest, dry, and store your herbs to enjoy their fresh flavors long after the growing season has ended.

Thank you for your time, I hope this little guide will prove useful for you and your gardening journey. If you need any supplies for your harvesting tasks you can find products like pruners, drying racks, gloves, and more at our physical location and our online store.

For any questions reach out to us at 580-504-2170 or pjpn19@gmail.com