Harvesting and drying: Herb leaves should be cut when the plant’s essential oils are at their highest levels. Leafy herbs like basil, chervil, marjoram, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary and sage should be pruned just before blossoming time. Pruning or cutting should be done around noon, after the dew has dried. Try to choose a day that is hot and dry, with little humidity. It’s best to gather small bunches of herbs, and process them quickly. It’s easier to prepare the herb bunches or swags by working with only one or two different herbs at a time. Bunch or swag drying is an easy way to dry long-stemmed herbs. If the leaves are clean, it’s not necessary to rinse them off. Some of the herbs essential oils will be lost during the rinsing. If the leaves are dusty, coated with pollen or mulching materials, then rinse the herbs under cold water. A quick rinse at the sink with a sprayer works best. Tie the herbs in small bunches with twine, rubber bands or string and hang to dry. Careful that the swags or bunches do not touch. Air must flow over and around the drying herbs. Herbs dry best when … Continue reading How to Air Dry Herbs