Ideal time to pick herbs

akgardengirl · April 17, 2007

What is the primo time to pick herbs for drying? Does is it make much diff if they have flowered or not? I am still pretty new at growing them.
Sue

honu · April 19, 2007

Sue, "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs" says,
"If you are harvesting leaves, the peak time for flavor and fragrance is just before the plants flower in the spring. Harvests can continue as need and plant growth permit, until early fall. Trim off any flower heads from basil and mint for continued top-quality leaf production."
What kinds of herbs are growing?

lavandula girl · April 19, 2007

Also, herbs that are grown for their flowers are generally picked when the buds are still tight - lavender and sometimes chives come to mind here. It isn't true for all of them, but that's a general rule of thumb. As Honu said, prior to flowering is best for plants you use just the leaves of. I pinch back the forming flower heads on basil, tarragon and oregano especially, unless i want a few blooms to garnish a dish. if you don't already own that Rodale's book, I suggest picking it up at the bookstore - it's really a good one.

Granny · April 19, 2007

The Shakers picked those chive flowers, then broke them apart and used them as seasoning in omelets. If they haven't opened yet throw them in whole. Different. Yummy.

akgardengirl · April 19, 2007

I am growing greek oregano, french thyme, majorum, rosemary, lavender, and clary sage (don't know if this qualifies). I grow them as annuals here so don't usually see flowers until June. Did you have to order the Rodale book or can I get it at B&N?
Thanks,
Sue

Worth1 · April 19, 2007

If you cut rosemary at the wrong time of the year you wont have any flowers.
they make the flower buds the year before. so you need to pick it right aftwer it flowers.

I really dont care as I have so much of it.

Worth

lavandula girl · April 19, 2007

I think I bought mine at a big box book store - I'm sure B&N either has it, or can send it to you if they don't. It's a really good resource, you won't be sorry.

Tomstrees · April 20, 2007

I've heard:

Pick herbs before they flower; around 11am - Just after the dew has dried off the leaves ...

~ Tom

Care · December 29, 2007

Hello,
We pick chive flowers just as they are beginning to open and put them in plain white vinegar. It makes a delicious purple chivvy-flavored vinegar that is good in lots of things.
I have a recipe for lavender pound cake and lavender cookies, both of which are delicious and unusual, and made with dried lavender flowers. I would be willing to share the recipes if anyone would like them.
~C

April 17, 2007	#1
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	Ideal time to pick herbs What is the primo time to pick herbs for drying? Does is it make much diff if they have flowered or not? I am still pretty new at growing them. Sue

April 19, 2007	#3
lavandula girl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 64	Also, herbs that are grown for their flowers are generally picked when the buds are still tight - lavender and sometimes chives come to mind here. It isn't true for all of them, but that's a general rule of thumb. As Honu said, prior to flowering is best for plants you use just the leaves of. I pinch back the forming flower heads on basil, tarragon and oregano especially, unless i want a few blooms to garnish a dish. if you don't already own that Rodale's book, I suggest picking it up at the bookstore - it's really a good one. __________________ Mostly Harmless

April 19, 2007	#5
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	Ideal time to pick herbs I am growing greek oregano, french thyme, majorum, rosemary, lavender, and clary sage (don't know if this qualifies). I grow them as annuals here so don't usually see flowers until June. Did you have to order the Rodale book or can I get it at B&N? Thanks, Sue

April 19, 2007	#7
lavandula girl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 64	I think I bought mine at a big box book store - I'm sure B&N either has it, or can send it to you if they don't. It's a really good resource, you won't be sorry. __________________ Mostly Harmless

April 20, 2007	#8
Tomstrees Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Bayshore Posts: 3,848	I've heard: Pick herbs before they flower; around 11am - Just after the dew has dried off the leaves ... ~ Tom __________________ My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. ~ H. Fred Ale

April 19, 2007	#2
honu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 270	Sue, "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs" says, "If you are harvesting leaves, the peak time for flavor and fragrance is just before the plants flower in the spring. Harvests can continue as need and plant growth permit, until early fall. Trim off any flower heads from basil and mint for continued top-quality leaf production." What kinds of herbs are growing?

April 19, 2007	#4
Granny Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 507	The Shakers picked those chive flowers, then broke them apart and used them as seasoning in omelets. If they haven't opened yet throw them in whole. Different. Yummy.

April 19, 2007	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	If you cut rosemary at the wrong time of the year you wont have any flowers. they make the flower buds the year before. so you need to pick it right aftwer it flowers. I really dont care as I have so much of it. Worth

December 29, 2007	#9
Care Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2	Chive Flowers & Lavender Flowers Hello, We pick chive flowers just as they are beginning to open and put them in plain white vinegar. It makes a delicious purple chivvy-flavored vinegar that is good in lots of things. I have a recipe for lavender pound cake and lavender cookies, both of which are delicious and unusual, and made with dried lavender flowers. I would be willing to share the recipes if anyone would like them. ~C