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Drying Herbs

5/19/2012

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Herbs have been an important part of our history and are still to this day as important for their culinary and medicinal uses as well as their application in fragrances, dyes, repellants, or cosmetics.  Herbs grown in the home garden can be used fresh or can be dried and stored for later use. 

When and How to Harvest:

> For peak flavor it is usually best to harvest before the herb flowers
> Cut the stems in the morning just after the dew has dried
> Annuals can be cut at ground level
> For perennials, harvest about 1/3 of the stem
> Rinse the cuttings in cold water to remove any soil or bugs
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How to Dry Herbs:

Loose Leaf Method: 
Remove the leaves from the stem and place them on an absorbent towel or a screen.  Flip regularly to make sure they dry evenly on all sides.

Bunch Method:
Long stems can also be tied into small bunches and hung upside down in a dark, dry area at a temperature of about 70-80 degrees.  Hanging the herbs in the dark helps to preserve their green color.
Oven Method:
Although a less energy-efficient method, you can also dry herbs in the oven.  Place a single layer of herbs in a flat shallow pan and dry in an open oven at temperatures no higher than 180 degrees for 2-3 hours.

Microwave Method:
Last but not least, another option is to place the clean leaves on a paper plate or paper towel in the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals for 1-3 minutes.  Mix the leaves at each interval.

Note that herbs dried in the oven or microwave may lose some of their flavor, oils, or color.

Blog by: Sabine Ehlers, CMG

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You will know your herbs are dried when they crumble easily.  Now they are ready to be stored.
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4 Easy Steps to Start Composting

5/5/2012

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Composting isn't as hard as it may seem at first and it is definitely worth a try as there is nothing (and we mean NOTHING) better than compost to improve and replenish the soil in your garden.  
Step 1: Choose a Container
There is really no limit to compost bin options.  Whether big, small, simple, fancy, wood, metal, plastic or any other material fits your style, here are a few ideas to get you started:
* Purchase a compost tumbler or plastic compost bin
* Buy a plastic garbage bin and punch some holes in it to create a
   container like the ones you can buy at the store but for less money
* Make a simple wire hoop from heavy grade concrete wire
* Build a wood container with one of the many free plans online
* Just pile it without any container at all
Whichever kind of container you choose to use, we recommend that the size be at least 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 feet.
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Photo by www.cultivatorscorner.com
Step 2:  Start filling the Container
A compost pile needs green ingredients (nitrogen) and brown ingredients (carbon) to create heat that makes the material you add decompose.  As you start out, don't worry about exactly measuring how much of each you add, just try your best to alternate a layer of green ingredients with a layer of brown ingredients so you get a little bit of both.  Most of us won't get the perfect 30:1 Carbon to Nitrogen ratio and that's ok.  If you are off a little bit one way or another you will still get compost eventually, it just takes a little bit longer.
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Photo by www.soil-net.com
Here are some ideas on what to add:

Greens (Nitrogen):
Kitchen Vegetable/Fruit Scraps
Grass Clippings and Fresh Leaves
Manure from Herbivores (i.e. Horse, Cow)
Browns (Carbon):
Dry Leaves and Small Twigs
Straw and Saw Dust
Shredded Newspaper
Things not to compost:  Manure from Carnivores or Omnivores (Dogs, Cats, Pigs);
                                   Fats and Oils ; Meat, Dairy, or Meat Byproducts; Big tree parts
Step 3: Aeration
Your compost pile needs air to provide oxygen for the microorganisms that work in your compost.  Since these bacteria speed up your decomposition process by up to 90%, this part is important.  To air your pile you can turn it with a garden fork every 2-3 days, add a layer of sticks for every 6 inches of green material, build the pile around a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it, or just poke and stir the pile.

Step 4: Moisture
A successful compost pile also needs water.  When touched, it should feel damp.  Not enough water will make the bacteria stop working.  Too much water will make your pile soggy and smell bad.

That's all there is to it.  It's as easy as that to get started.  Happy Composting!

Blog by: Sabine Ehlers, CMG
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