All about garden herbs

[tripletfeb]

So, you are saying that they are pre-seasoned??

No, I'm saying the chickens enjoyed them well before I could!

 

[TooCheep]

Maybe they are Simon and Garfunkel fans??

 

[WIchickMama]

Got my lastest issue of Mother Earth News--they have a ton of herbal/medicinal books in their 'shop' section, might look into those.

I have not regretted anything that I have planted, if anything the plants look pretty and add to the landscape, but I have acres to work with so might be different for someone with less room.

Anyone just air dry their herbs or do most use a dehydrator? I am thinking about a dehydrator but don't want to spend the $$ right now, so was wondering about hanging them. I worry about dust--dusty in the country and in an old farmhouse

 

[TooCheep]

Generally leaves are easily air dried. They will dry as quickly (12-48 hrs) as thicker things in a dehydrator. Just do the best you can to keep them away from dust for that period. If you are concerned about dust, I'd store them in mason jars or crush them and put in spice jars longer term.

 

[SmiYa0126]

We don't cook Thai or Vietnamese foods. I'm not a fan of hot spicy and I don't know any meals that aren't...

I have tried to grow Chamomile (died), Lavender (barely hanging on), and Echinecea (one plant) with limited success.

I did grow Butterfly Pea flowers very successfully. I've been drying those flowers all summer and storing in a jar. I put the dried flowers in my Lemonade so it turns purple... Silly but I think it's cool. I'd like to brew some in the tea strainer but I typically don't drink hot tea until it's chilly outside.

Vietnamese food isn't spicy, it's pure delicious! For lemon grass, add it to chicken noodle soup, make tea with it, add it to stir fry, fried rice. It's tasty!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Oooo.... I forgot about parsley. I grow the curly kind but so far the buns and caterpillars have gotten all of it.

Does anyone know the difference between flat and curly?

Fun fact, Italian flat leaf parsley is good for monarch caterpillars

 

[SmiYa0126]

I use my dehydrator for herbs and when we dry sage, basil or mint it's a very refreshing day in the house. I definitely won't ever use it for jalapeños again...that was a terrible idea lol

Ah, yes, when you accidentally mace your whole house. Fun times

 

[TJAnonymous]

I had an herb garden for the first time this year. Was so excited to grow basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and sage. I was going to use it fresh and dehydrate most of it. Then I let my chickens out and went in the house

Basil - I have dehydrated a little bit already. I absolutely LOVE the smell of it. After I handle the basil I am constantly smelling my hands like an addict huffing glue. I need to make some soap with this stuff. It's amazing...

Rosemary - I planted a new start this year so it really isn't big enough to do a lot with it yet. However we eat a lot of chicken... And it is usually prepared a specific way which doesn't involve rosemary so I may never get to use it like I intended. I do want to make some essential oils though and this is one I'm eyeballing. Eventually.

Parsley - so far the only things that have gotten to partake of this are my buns and caterpillars. My plant looks rather sorry and not appetizing in the least.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Fun fact, Italian flat leaf parsley is good for monarch caterpillars

I know milkweed is a monarch favorite. I've been tempted to add some to the border of the garden but it's hugely toxic to horses and I don't want to take a chance that it will spread to my pasture.

Parsley sounds like a much safer alternative! Thanks for the tip...

 

[TJAnonymous]

Got my lastest issue of Mother Earth News--they have a ton of herbal/medicinal books in their 'shop' section, might look into those.

I have not regretted anything that I have planted, if anything the plants look pretty and add to the landscape, but I have acres to work with so might be different for someone with less room.

Anyone just air dry their herbs or do most use a dehydrator? I am thinking about a dehydrator but don't want to spend the $$ right now, so was wondering about hanging them. I worry about dust--dusty in the country and in an old farmhouse

I air-dry the butterfly pea flowers. I do have a dehydrator but it's a pain to pull it out. Takes up a lot of counter space... When I dried some basil last week, I just did it in the oven instead. I will probably do some lemon balm and Stevia in the oven too....