Guest guest Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 hi all, Couple of question: When is the best time to dry lemon verbena and fennel? Can i gather leaves now? or do I wait till flowering time. Thanks in advance Vickie -- Jerry and Vickie Swaim Tierra De Cabros Goat Milk Bath Products Goatmeister Dairy Goats http://tierradecabros.bizhosting.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 vickie, Best is to gather the leave just before flowering. C-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2004 Report Share Posted June 30, 2004 thank you C-M this information is much appreciated does the same apply to clary sage? regards Vickie -- Jerry and Vickie Swaim Tierra De Cabros Goat Milk Bath Products Goatmeister Dairy Goats http://tierradecabros.bizhosting.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 Vickie, Picking herbs before flowering applies to most. What do you use the Clary sage for? C-M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 Christa Maria wrote: > Vickie, > Picking herbs before flowering applies to most. > What do you use the Clary sage for? > C-M > I make a floral water with it to use in soaps, but am searching for > other uses, I have so many sprouts It does have some really pretty > flowers > regards > > > Step By Step Instructions On Making Rose Petal Preserves: > http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html > > To adjust your group settings (i.e. go no mail) see the following > link: /join > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2004 Report Share Posted July 1, 2004 Hiya Vickie!!! Didn't know you were here!! BTW I already tried the soap you sent in the swap--love it! Serra Vickie Swaim wrote: > Christa Maria wrote: > > > Vickie, > > Picking herbs before flowering applies to most. > > What do you use the Clary sage for? > > C-M > > I make a floral water with it to use in soaps, but am searching for > > other uses, I have so many sprouts It does have some really pretty > > flowers > > regards > > > > -- Ask about my co-op on Smelly Jelly Crystals!! 3 pounds left!! email serraangel http://www.angelicprovidence.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Good afternoon everyone! I was just wondering...can fresh herbs (or even flowers?) be put in a food dehydrator to dry? Will they lose any of their good properties by doing it in this way? Thanks for any help! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Thanks Chris!! The thought just popped into my head this morning & made me go hhhmmmm...so thought I would ask the experts!!! lol Have a terrific afternoon!! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things - Christine Ziegler Hi Donna, Every time I've tried to dry herbs in a dehydrator or oven, they smelled great while drying, but after that they were dead - the poof of smell emitted while they were drying was all there was to them .. *lol* My advice is if you REALLY want to use your dehydrator is to set the herbs out nicely on the racks, plug it in for about 5-10 minutes and then turn it off and let them dry the rest of the way on their own. Thinking about it actually, things that dry slower and tend to mold easier, like roots and citrus peels can probably be dried well in a dehydrator, but not aromatic leaves. *Smile* Chris (list mom) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2006 Report Share Posted March 16, 2006 Hi Donna, Every time I've tried to dry herbs in a dehydrator or oven, they smelled great while drying, but after that they were dead - the poof of smell emitted while they were drying was all there was to them .. *lol* My advice is if you REALLY want to use your dehydrator is to set the herbs out nicely on the racks, plug it in for about 5-10 minutes and then turn it off and let them dry the rest of the way on their own. Thinking about it actually, things that dry slower and tend to mold easier, like roots and citrus peels can probably be dried well in a dehydrator, but not aromatic leaves. *Smile* Chris (list mom) Essential Oils Spring Cleaning Clearance <http://www.alittleolfactory.com/> http://www.alittleolfactory.com/clearance.htm On Behalf Of Donna Buchholz Good afternoon everyone! I was just wondering...can fresh herbs (or even flowers?) be put in a food dehydrator to dry? Will they lose any of their good properties by doing it in this way? Thanks for any help! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 ________________________________ On Behalf Of Christine Ziegler Thursday, March 16, 2006 1:12 PM RE: drying herbs Hi Donna, Every time I've tried to dry herbs in a dehydrator or oven, they smelled great while drying, but after that they were dead - the poof of smell emitted while they were drying was all there was to them .. *lol* My advice is if you REALLY want to use your dehydrator is to set the herbs out nicely on the racks, plug it in for about 5-10 minutes and then turn it off and let them dry the rest of the way on their own. Thinking about it actually, things that dry slower and tend to mold easier, like roots and citrus peels can probably be dried well in a dehydrator, but not aromatic leaves. *Smile* Chris (list mom) My two cents worth, Donna/Chris - Most aromatic herbs are best dried in small bundles, tied at the stem and hung upside down in a warm dark place. Make sure the sun doesn't get to them. This is why you see them in barns in summer, and they look every so lovely as well as add fragrance while drying. You can even do this in your kitchen or pantry. The aromatics (and other good constituents) actually are drawn by gravity down into the aerial parts when hanging upside down and thus become more potent. When mine are completely dry, I clip unusable stem and store them in air-tight jars. Don't grind or powder until you use them. They open in your mortar and pestle and release all their stored-up goodness . . . Sometimes better than fresh. I only use my dehydrator for veggies. Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 It depends on what the alternative is! I prefer to dry my herbs in the shade under the roof on the deck, just hanging with their feet up and their heads down. But the elements don't always cooperate. When the race between drying and molding looks too iffy, I have put them in the dryer. I guess it depends on the herbs. Peppermint is so potent that even at half power it has plenty of oomph left. Play it by ear and do what you can! Ien in the Kootenays http://profiles./free_green_living Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 When I dry herbs, I put them (a few handfuls)in a brown paper lunch bag and set them on the dashboard/back window of my car. It's a hot, dry heat and the herbs are out of direct sunlight - and you wouldn't believe how good it will make your car smell. Most herbs are dry in a day, sometimes 2. Only comfrey leaf has taken more than 2 days to dry Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away My two cents worth, Donna/Chris - Most aromatic herbs are best dried in small bundles, tied at the stem and hung upside down in a warm dark place. Make sure the sun doesn't get to them. This is why you see them in barns in summer, and they look every so lovely as well as add fragrance while drying. You can even do this in your kitchen or pantry. The aromatics (and other good constituents) actually are drawn by gravity down into the aerial parts when hanging upside down and thus become more potent. When mine are completely dry, I clip unusable stem and store them in air-tight jars. Don't grind or powder until you use them. They open in your mortar and pestle and release all their stored-up goodness . . . Sometimes better than fresh. I only use my dehydrator for veggies. Be Well, Marcia Elston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 ________________________________ On Behalf Of paula coon When I dry herbs, I put them (a few handfuls)in a brown paper lunch bag and set them on the dashboard/back window of my car. It's a hot, dry heat and the herbs are out of direct sunlight - and you wouldn't believe how good it will make your car smell. Most herbs are dry in a day, sometimes 2. Only comfrey leaf has taken more than 2 days to dry Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away Yes, Paula, another good idea. I learned the hot, fast, dashboard method when I laid a freshly picked rosebud on the dash . . . Within several hours it was thoroughly dried and absolutely beautiful, retained all color and scent. Was in a place with no direct sunlight, fortunately, but extremely warm. BTW, every time I see your sig line, I want to somehow help you get you powers back! :-) Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com " Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. " Hausa Saying from Nigeria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2006 Report Share Posted March 17, 2006 LOL ! Thanks for the thought !! Paula .......... in Michigan I used to have super powers but my therapist took them away BTW, every time I see your sig line, I want to somehow help you get you powers back! :-) Be Well, Marcia Elston http://www.wingedseed.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2006 Report Share Posted March 19, 2006 Thank you Marcia & Paula for the suggestions on drying herbs!!! I will try them both & see which one I like the best... Have a great evening!! donna Donna Buchholz Something Different Soap & Things www.somethingdifferentsoap.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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