I am happy to say that tomorrow the back hoe will come back and ALL the trenches that are dug up to lay down the irrigation lines is going to be filled. That will make working in the garden and getting around the homestead sooooooo much easier. ((happy dance)) Now, for "how to freeze or dry your herbs bounty". [o=
Make sure to watch both videos because they show different information.
It's that time a year when you can preserve your herbs from the garden, excess of friends gardens, or deals you get at the farmers market or grocery store. Here are some neat videos I found to demonstrate different ways to preserve your bounty.
Here I am drying mint, oregano ( hiding in the left side of the picture) and carrot tops for the winter.
But I also have one other way I like to freeze herbs that I would like to share. I couldn't find a video to demonstrate to you which I have been using for years. I like to take my cilantro, basil, parsely or dill ( for example) and I rinse them and flash freeze them by throwing them in a freezer bag and squish all the air out and quickly zip up the freezer bag and toss into the freezer. That way all throughout the winter you can pull your herb bag out and cut off what ever amount you need and use it as fresh herbs.
I love watching the Garden Girl videos. [o=
I am joining my sweet friend Lori in...
HI FRIEND MARY... JUST PASSING TO SAY HI...I LOVE YOUR BLOG...WELL WISH I HAD SOMETIME TO DO MORE..IM JUST LEARNING HERE..I HAVE A QUESTION HOW DO YOU POST WHATS UNDERNEATH OF POST A COMMENT?
ReplyDeleteLIKE.... THANK YOU..? ENJOY YOUR LIFE...GOD BLESS YOU.. BYEE..
Just wondering..... What do you do with the carrot tops?
ReplyDeleteYou can throw it in the pot when you are making stock for soups.
ReplyDelete-Mary
Look at your bounty!!!!!!!!! Oh my...this year the heat got what I had put out. I will come back and learn again when I have something.
ReplyDeleteOh my Dad is a Civil Engineer...and your water system is so interesting to me, since I use to draw up systems for him...that is just so awesome.
Oh Mary that must smell wonderful in that drying room!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE the GARDEN GIRL!!!
Blessings Linnie
I used to grow my own, but I haven't in years. Now, you make me want to grow them and preserve them since between the two videos and your tips I have seen about six different methods.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! You probably don't know this, but I find you to be very inspiring. I want to be more like you. (Is that lame to say?)
As always, I learn so much from you dear friend :)
ReplyDeleteMaria
By the way...that skirt sure looks pretty ;0D
ReplyDeletelove you,
Maria
I had no idea you could cook the carrot tops! Do you eat them or just use them to flavor the stock? I bet they add a wonderful color to the stock. Your herbs look so lovely! We only have basil and rosemary and lemon balm this year. I thinned out the mint ( it had taken over everywhere) and it is just now coming back. So will have mint soon. The lavendar died this past winter. ( too much snow and cold) I am hoping to plant a kitchen herb garden next spring.
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteYou cook the carrot tops with the bones and then you fish them out and add what you want to your soup.
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThank you that was so sweet. You inspire me to write better. I wished it came natural to me like it seems to from you. You amaze me. Blessings!
Oh, I have to dry our mint! I am drying our excess catnip to give to our kitty friends. I forgot about mint. The cilantro died. I have basil still growing well, but not enough to save, yet. And I agree, that skirt is so pretty! We are in a heat advisory again today with temps soaring, so I am thinking about skirts again, myself.
ReplyDeleteI let 2 whole bundles go to waste because I didn't have time to use it. :( I so could have quickly flash frozen it. Now I know. So, carrot tops eh?
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
Mornin', Mary! I'm going to have to watch those videos either tonight or tomorrow when I have time. I usually rinse my herbs, then when they're dry, I chop them and put them in glass jars in the freezer. All labeled, of course. I hand-chop the basil, which takes time, but it's how I like to do it. I'd really like to learn how to dry herbs.
ReplyDeleteBe back later to watch some movies--hmm, I'll need some popcorn for that...!
Love to you today!
Christine
Hi, Mary. You make things that intimidate me, like freezing herbs, breadmaking, etc.... seem so easy! You give me hope!
ReplyDeleteSharity
Oh Sharity, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat is my hopes desire when I share these things. I try to show that if "I" can do it so can anyone else. We just need a willing heart.
Blessings !
What a bounty! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm drying herbs, too...with my brand new dehydrator. I love it - it's my newest "toy".
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Lisa
Gorgeous harvest!
ReplyDeleteMary, you are such an inspiration!!! I want to come live at your house...
ReplyDeleteBack to the carrot tops...you rinse them, then throw them in a baggie? Do you dry them off first, or throw them in wet? (I'm such a dunce about such things...don't laugh too hard!) I have carrots about ready, I think, at Christine's house, and never thought to save the tops. I used to buy bunch carrots when I had bunnies and guinea pigs cuz they loved the greens. I'll be making stews a-plenty this fall, and will make beef stock when I get my quarter-side of beef delivered in November, so I'll have the tops for stock-making, I guess! OK, so do I dry the carrot tops off (not as in hang to dry for weeks and weeks, just towel dry after washing!) and then freeze in an air-free baggie?
Thanks for another great tutorial!
Love and miss you!
Lori
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI don't recommend the flash freezing for carrot tops. I only air dry my carrot tops.
Cut the tops off with very little at the top of the carrot. Then I recommend to air dry them on metal cookie trays ( like in my picture above) or hang dry them.
I hope that helps.
Blessings!
I am truly inspired! We threw all our carrot tops to our hens last year, but I'll know what to do with them this year when we, Lord willing, harvest at the end of the growing season. Both my cilantro and chamomile died a slow death this year; I don't know if we just didn't get enough warmth or what, because my rosemary and mint are thriving. Of course my lavender is going gangbusters, and for that I'm so thankful as I dry and use it for many things including my homemade soap! Blessings to you and yours, ~Lisa
ReplyDeleteOh, by the way, I see that number 10 up there...congrats to you!!
ReplyDelete