Autumn is a Perfect Time for Your Home Herb Garden
As the leaves are falling and the beautiful colors of gold, red, marroon and browns fill your yard, your home herb garden is call you. You have been growing your own herbs and now is the time to dry them and prepare them for winter.
The beautiful blooms in your garden will give you the seeds for next year’s garden. Place a paper or plastic bag over the blooms. Put your hand around the bag and grab the stem. Trim the stem to release the bag. To release the seeds from the pod, rub the bag. You can store the seeds in a container until planting. I label an envelope and put all the envelopes in a shoebox.
If you want to dry your herbs on the stems, then tie a few of them together and hang in a dry place. Be sure the location is away from sun light, which will lessen the oils and zest. Remove the dried herbs leaves and place in a container for your immediate use. If you have a specially nice looking twig, then wash and put in oil or vinegar. The jar of oil is a quick way to add essence to your cooking. Saving jars for this purpose is fun. Once I have the jars filled and rested for two weeks, I add a bow and give as gifts. People like to add a little tarragon vinegar to their salad or garlic oil to there sautes.
You can strip the leaves from the herb plant and lay them on a paper towel or sweater screen for drying.In a day or two, you can put the leaves in a container for latter use. Autumn is also time to cut the woody stems so your herb will go to a dorminate state for the winter. Or if you are in a very cold climate, it is time to bring them indoors.
You would think that your Autumn tasks are complete, after drying and trimming. What more your ask? Autumn is a perfect time to plant, yes I said plant. Garlic, chives, french tarragon and thyme are great autumn plants. Those of us in hot region can plant dill and parsley in the Fall. So, while you are planting your bulbs as tulips, include your herbs bulb as garlic, shallots and saffron.
Autumn is a wonderful time of the year to be out in your home herb garden clipping, thinning and planting. Enjoy the weather and prepare your herbs for growing in the spring. Plus, you have all your dry herbs for cooking that special dinner.