Page 27 2024 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April 2024 Preserving Homegrown Herbs Dry. Herbs can be easily dried for storage. Wash herbs and dry with a paper towel before utilizing any drying method. A dehydrator will quickly dry herbs and make the house smell great in the process. An oven set no higher than 180 degrees with the door left ajar is another option for heat drying. Perhaps the easiest option is to let the air do the dehydration for you. Tie long-stemmed herbs in bunches of 3 to 5 stems and place in a brown paper bag with the stems extending out of the top. Hang the bag in a dry place away from sunlight for 2 to 4 weeks. For high moisture herbs such as basil, tarragon, and mint, drying on trays or screens is preferred. Remove any stems from the herbs and do not crush or grind herbs until ready for use to preserve optimal flavor and aroma. Store dried herbs in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place. Freeze. Fresh herbs can be successfully frozen. Wash and dry whole herbs and place into sealable freezer bags. Puree fresh herbs in water or chop and mix with olive oil and freeze in ice cube trays. Remove from ice cube trays when frozen and store in freezer safe containers until ready for use. Basil and parsley, and even carrot tops and other greens can be made into delicious pesto to eat fresh and also to freeze in ice cube trays for a burst of summer flavor. Chives freeze well when snipped into quarter inch pieces and placed on a baking tray or silicone mat. Allow to freeze on the tray in the freezer. When frozen, store in a container in the freezer. The frozen chives should be easy to portion out by the spoonful. There are so many herbs to grow and so many ways to use them. Certainly there is an herb for every palate and every gardener! The previously mentioned herbs are a brief list of possible herbs to enjoy, and the ideas for use are just a taste of what is possible. Herbs are versatile, healthy, and so easy to grow! What are you waiting for? This spring, spice up your life with herbs! [Stephanie Hall] Resources: https://extension.illinois.edu/herbs
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