Plant Tips – Bountiful Herb Harvest

On October 3, 2014October 4, 2014 By TimelessladyIn Plant TipsLeave a comment

Autumn has arrived, winter approaches, I have been purchasing potted herbs to grow on my windowsill through the colder months. I will still take cuttings for rooting from my outdoor herbs, but they will not reach harvest size until Spring of 2015. In the meantime, when I need fresh herbs through the winter, I will “pinch” them from my lovely windowsill garden. Another plus in growing herbs indoors is the scent they “whisper” into the air when you run your hands over them…heavenly!

Photo collage courtesy of Picmonkey.com

Our area of the country experienced a very cool summer, but my herbs didn’t seem to mind and have thrived. I don’t want to waste the bounty of my gardens so over the next few days I will be harvesting everything I have room to store. I will hang aromatic herbs such as lavender, catnip, and a portion of my mints, in dark closets to dry. Those I use in cooking I will freeze in ice cube trays.

Step 1

Soak herbs in a bowl of water for a few minutes. Remove the herbs from the water, check for debris, refill and repeat process at least three times. There is no need for scrubbing or agitation, the water floats the dirt away leaving the essential oils intact. (Organic potted herbs grown inside do not need to be washed.)

Step 2

There is no need to dry sprigs when they are finished soaking. Break leaves away from the stem, place inside empty ice cube trays, add water and freeze.

Step 3

Remove frozen cubes from tray.

Step 4

Place inside a labeled zip-lock freezer bag and store in the freezer. Your “fresh” herbs are now available anytime you are ready to cook a good meal. The cubes are terrific for making soups and stocks. I also freeze onion, scallions, peppers and other produce for quick stocks.

Plant – Overwintered Parsley

On May 14, 2013May 12, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

This amazing patch of parsley has grown throughout the winter in my Square Foot Garden. It sulked a bit in the freezing temperatures of the winter months, but always maintained a green appearance. Although it did not grow much during the cold weather, it endured, and once the warmth of the sun intensified it began to exuberantly leaf out again.

I must harvest the parsley before it sends up a seed stalk and turns bitter. A good article can be found here about why lettuce and herbs bolt: Why plants bolt

One of the ways I am going to preserve the parsley is by freezing it in ice cube trays. The resulting herbal ice will be perfect for adding to soups and stews and crockpot recipes.

Another way I preserve herbs is to hang them upside down in a dark closet. In a week or two, the leaves will be ready to crumple and store in jars or ziplock sandwich bags. I use parsley processed this way in lasagna and other dishes that call for dried or fresh herbs.

I will also try to quickly dehydrate the parsley in my turkey roaster. This is my least reliable way of drying the herb. With this amount of parsley available, it is the right time to give the roaster another try.

Planting and Projects – Upcycled Mini-Greenhouse

On October 26, 2012October 26, 2012 By TimelessladyIn Planting, Projects1 Comment

A month or two ago my son brought me several empty yogurt containers and clear lids. I was touched that he thought of me and took the time to clean each one. (Thanks to his sweet wife too, who probably cleaned quite a few too.) He correctly guessed that they would make a perfect nursery for sprouting seeds. I planted six varieties of herbs in them. Five of them have sprouted within a week: cress, thyme, cilantro, basil, marjoram…I’m only waiting on the parsley to sprout now. Upcycling trash into treasure is one of my favorite pastimes.

Pressed Flowers – Using the Heat at Hand

On July 9, 2012May 27, 2014 By TimelessladyIn Pressed Flowers22 Comments

We are having quite a heat wave here in the Mid-Atlantic states. I decided to take advantage of the heat at hand.

I picked quite a few of my hydrangea flowers last night. They are beginning to show streaks of contrasting colors as they mature. I have always had a hard time getting the hydrangea blossoms to dry without brown spots appearing. I have tried the traditional method of pressing in between pages of a book. I have experimented with the microwave. I have had no luck with either method. This time I am trying something new.

I pressed the hydrangea petals in between the pages of a book, and then I put that book in the back seat of my car, covered with another book and a weight, and backed up the car into the hottest part of the driveway. I’ll update the results in a day or two.

I also decided to use the heat to flash dry some parsley that is on the verge of going to seed. I lightly rinsed it and laid it upon a towel draped pizza sheet and put it in my trunk. The heat inside will quickly dry the herb, and the darkness will help retain the color…I hope.

I’ll update the progress in a day or two.