Bolivian Coriander next to my plea for justice from the skies.
1. Basil: Freeze it in water-basil cubes, use it in vinegar or oils, or dry it .All methods have one danger: the possible darkening of the basil.. Do not put into plastic. This herb loses its volatile oils very rapidly.
2. Rosemary: Dry it, freeze it (in whole branches—pick the needles you need).
3. Tarragon: Dry it, keep in vinegar or oil.
4. Oregano. Dry it ---freeze minced oregano with basil , the better to put in tomato sauce.
5. Thyme: Dry it. Use paper bags or drying racks.
Preserving Seeds
You can also preserve seeds for use in next spring’s planting: be sure that the seeds you are saving are not hybrids. Ones that work well include parsley and fennel. Use rubber bands to wrap the branches together, hang them upside down in a dry, dark place and place a paper bag over the plant head to collect the seeds. Make sure the specimens you collect are not weather beaten.
(Check Seed Savers Exchange: Susanne Ashworth's book Seed to Seed for ideas. www.seedsaversexchange.org)
---The Harvest Workshop: Gardens, Jams and Herbs Teaneck, NJ: Garden Club of Teaneck, Greenhouse. .(August 31, 2011)
