harvesting chamomile
Hello!
Where on earth have I been? Summer has flown by, and for the herb garden it’s been a good one, though a little wet.
One Thursday saw me stubbornly gardening alone in a downpour, not wise at all. Currently coming up with a list of indoor activites for the rainy days of the future, whilst I’m happy enough gardening in the rain, it seems not most people aren’t, and I’ll have few friends if I try and make them!
In general we’ve had some good gardening days and so far this year we’ve picked for harvest: lime blossom (particularly fun), chamomile, lavender, hyssop, calendula, comfrey, lovage, peppermint, sage, chives, rosemary, lemon balm, milk thistle, southernwood, rue, marigolds, mullein, hops, chickweed, and dandlilion! Many are still coming.
We’ve sucessfully dried most of them, an have been infusing others in oils. Now we’ve just got to work out what to to with them!
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In the off chance anyone cares: I’ve discovered that softer leaves like geranium, mint etc don’t dry well by this method. It’s better to put them in a low oven for a while so they dry faster. Woodier things like rosemary, lavender do fine. Elderflower dries very well this way and elderflower tea is lovely!
I’m going to try and make lip balm, I’ll let you know how it goes.
