Herbs - Harvesting, Drying, and Storing - Drying Plants and Plant Material |
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Page 5 of 7 Some suggested locations for drying include:
Unless otherwise stated, all plants and plant material should not be wet when harvested. Dry plants and plant material out of the sun in a warm place (20 - 30°C), with good air circulation. Ensure you label your herbs when putting them in the drying area as they may look quite different when dry and can easily be mislabeled. Wooden clothes pins and a marker work well and can be clipped onto the plant material or placed in the drying rack. It is also possible to dry plants and plant material in an oven set at a very low temperature, e.g., 150°F. Watch carefully to avoid over drying or burning. A microwave is not recommended as it the herbs may take on a "tin" taste and can burn quite quickly. A dehydrator is another option that many have great success with.
- Whole Plants -Bundle in small bunches and secure with elastic bands that shrink with the plant. Hang upside down in a warm place with good air circulation out of the sunshine. Small bundles are recommended to ensure thorough drying of all plants and prevent mold from forming in the centre of the bundle. Whole plants can also be laid out in a single layer on drying racks or in cardboard boxes (must be turned regularly).It usually takes 7 to 14 days for plants to dry thoroughly. The plant should be crisp but still have good colour.
- Leaves -Either harvest separately or remove from the whole plant when dried by simply running your fingers down the stalk of the plant. If leaves are harvested separately, they should be laid out as described above in a single layer and checked and turned regularly as required.Leaves usually dry in 3 to 5 days. They will be crisp but still have good colour when dry.
- Flowers and Buds -Lay out in a single layer on drying racks or in cardboard boxes. Turn daily.Flowers and buds should dry in 1 to 3 days. Store appropriately once dried to limit discolouration. Flowers should maintain most of their colour when dry, but will be crisp.
- Seeds -Lay either loose seeds or pods out on sheets of brown paper, or place in a brown bag (leave open), or cardboard box.Seeds usually dry in 5 to 10 days.
- Roots -As soon as roots are harvested, cut into smaller pieces. Once they dry, they are almost impossible to cut as they turn as hard as a rock.First wash the soil off roots with water and a brush, then slice perpendicular to the direction of their growth. Chop finer if required and lay flat in drying racks or cardboard boxes. Turn regularly. Roots will usually dry in 7 to 14 days and, as mentioned, will be very hard.
- Bark -Lay bark out in a single layer on drying racks or in cardboard boxes. Turn regularly. Break bark into smaller pieces as it dries to accommodate storage.Bark can take up to 14 days to dry. It should easily break into pieces when dry.
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