Harvest time is not only for large scale farm operations but for the container grower as well. Sunday afternoon was a beautiful sunny day and perfect timing for clean up outdoors, getting rid of tired flowering plants, putting away the outdoor furniture and harvesting my home grown herbs!
All summer long I have fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, tarragon, rosemary, chives and spearmint. Clipping plants down before frost sets in and allowing them to dry gives me enough herbs to satisfy any culinary whim I dream up over the winter.
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| Rosemary |
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| French Tarragon |
The biggest added bonus? Right about now the house smells lovely. So aromatic!
After they are washed and air dried for a day or two I finish them off in a warm oven set to it's lowest thermal setting to eliminate any moisture. If not completely dried they can be a source of food poisoning. If you put them into spice jars and notice any bit of moisture forming when sealed, discard. I've never had this happen but when they are in the oven I watch them closely, the difference between dried and toast is not much.
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| Sage |
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| Greek Oregano |
Parlsey and chive are so hardy that I leave a bit of the plant to continue to grow right up to snowfall. Nothing quite like fresh snipped parsley or chives on fresh veggies or potatoes. Or mixed in with cream cheese on a freshly toasted bagel. That is a Saturday morning treat!
Speaking of treats, candy corn is everywhere on display - oy - my weakness! I haven't broken down and bought a bag just yet...but...
All summer long I have fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, tarragon, rosemary, chives and spearmint. Clipping plants down before frost sets in and allowing them to dry gives me enough herbs to satisfy any culinary whim I dream up over the winter. 
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