How to Grow and Dry Herbs

Outdoor Herb Gardening

• 1

  Research the types of herbs you want to grow, when to plant them and the germination time. Decide whether to plant them directly in the ground or in a potted or hanging container. Consider sunlight, drainage and soil fertility, as herbs will not grow in wet soil. Individual herbs will need about 12 x 18-inch plots.

• 2

  Plow the soil to a fine texture and water lightly to wet the dirt. Sow the seeds in shallow rows, spacing them apart per the specific herb’s instructions and firm the soil over them.

• 3

  Know that larger seeds can be covered with more soil than fine seeds. Cover fine seeds with moist paper to ensure the soil is moist during the germination period.

• 4

  Follow the watering instructions and use a fine spray to prevent soil erosion.

Indoor Herb Gardening

• 5

  Choose a south or west window location for your indoor garden. Decide what types of herbs you want to grow and their individual sunlight and soil requirements.

• 6

  Put one inch of gravel in the bottom of the growing container. Combine two parts of sterilized potting soil and one part course sand, and add 1 tsp. of ground limestone per 5-inch pot to make the soil sweet.

• 7

  Water the soil lightly to wet the dirt. Sow the seeds shallowly and firm the soil over them.

• 8

  Follow the watering instructions and always water with a fine spray to prevent soil erosion. Re-pot the herbs yearly and place perennial herbs outdoors in the summer to get more sun.

Drying the Herbs

• 9

  Cut the herbs (cut annual varieties at the ground level and perennials about 1/3 down from the top of the main stem) before they flower and in the morning after the dew has dried. Wash them with cold running water and lay them on a paper towel to dry.

• 10

  Tie the stems together with string and place them in a paper bag with the stem ends at the bag opening. Use a rubber band to close the bag. Hook one end of a paper clip through the rubber band and use the other end to hang the bag from a line.

• 11

  Remove the herbs from the paper bag in two to three weeks, crumble the dried herbs and place them in a shallow pan. Put them in an oven set to warm for two hours.