Imagine adding some homegrown herbs to a pot of stew simmering on the stove.  Or brewing some herb tea using your own plants.  Maybe a hot bath with lavender sounds relaxing.  Or perhaps an omelette with chives from your garden is on the menu.

Sound wonderful?  It might not be as hard as you think!

Herbs are one of the easiest things to dehydrate.  They can be dried in the open air, but using a dehydrator helps the job go much faster, and there isn’t the chance of spoilage.  There are a few basic rules to follow, but other than that, herbs almost dry themselves!

The best time of the day to harvest herbs is in the morning, after the dew has dissipated but not before the day gets hot.  The newer leaves are the most flavorful, but all leaves are fine.  It is best to use scissors instead of just breaking them off to avoid bruising them.  Remember to gather the herbs before the plant flowers.  At that point all of the plant’s energy goes into the buds and the leaves are not as strong, and may even be bitter.

If you enjoy gathering herbs from the wild, be sure you know what you are looking for.  Also, avoid any plants that grow near roads or other sources of pollution.  Dust and car exhaust really aren’t appetizing, can alter the flavor or strength of the herb, and may even be dangerous.