Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
Welcome to the Garden Ninja Gardening Forum! If you have a gardening question that you can't find answers to then ask below to seek help from the Garden Ninja army! Please make your garden questions as specific and detailed as possible so the community can provide comprehensive answers in the online forum below.
Welcome to the ultimate beginner gardening and garden design forum! Where no gardening question is too silly or obvious. This online gardening forum is run by Lee Burkhill, the Garden Ninja from BBC 1's Garden Rescue and a trusted group of experienced gardeners.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert gardener, it's a safe place to ask garden-related questions for garden design or planting. If you have a problem in your garden or need help, this is the Garden Forum for you!
Posting Rules: This space is open for all garden-related questions. Please be polite, courteous and respectful. If you wouldn't say it to your mum's face, then don't post it here. Please don't promote, sell, link spam or advertise here. Please don't ask for 'cheeky' full Garden redesigns here. They will be deleted.
I am happy to say that my first foray into gardening has produced lots of lovely herbs. I have enjoyed watching them grow and using them in cooking. But with many (in particular fennel, mint, rosemary and marjoram) growth has exceeded usage. How do I harvest and store them for future use?
I am happy to say that my first foray into gardening has produced lots of lovely herbs. I have enjoyed watching them grow and using them in cooking. But with many (in particular fennel, mint, rosemary and marjoram) growth has exceeded usage. How do I harvest and store them for future use?
It sounds like you've had a bumper year with the herb growing. Well done, bet it's been super enjoyable seeing them thrive under your care! You're wise to try and store some of them for future use. Herbs are on the most versatile and easiest to store if you cut them fresh before the first frosts damage them. For new Ninjas, have a look at my recent guide on the top ten herbs to grow at home.
Here are some tips on how to store fresh-grown herbs when you have a glut in the garden to keep them at their best:
1. Refrigeration:
For hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, refrigeration works well. Place them in a plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Store them in the crisper drawer and the use them as you would super market bought cut herbs.
2. Freezing:
Freezing is an excellent option for herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley.
Wash and dry the herbs, then chop or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
Place them in ice cube trays and cover with water or olive oil. Once frozen, transfer the herb cubes to a freezer bag.
You can also blanch herbs like basil for a few seconds, then shock them in ice water before freezing.
Then simply drop one of your frozen cubes into soups or stews to add some herbal flavour.
3. Drying:
Drying is perfect for herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary, which can all be dried indoors.
Bundle the herbs with twine and hang them in a dry, dark place with good ventilation. You can also use a dehydrator such as the ones used for sliced fruits.
Once dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in airtight containers and don't forget to label them!
4. Herb Butter or Oil:
Make herb-infused butter or oil. Mix finely chopped herbs with softened butter or olive oil, then freeze them in small portions or ice cube trays for later use.
5. Herb Paste:
Create herb pastes by blending fresh herbs with a bit of oil, then freezing them in small portions. These pastes are great for adding flavor to dishes.
6. Herb Salt:
Make herb-infused salt. Combine finely chopped herbs with coarse salt and allow the mixture to air dry before storing it in an airtight container.
I hope that helps and keep up the excellent growing!
It sounds like you've had a bumper year with the herb growing. Well done, bet it's been super enjoyable seeing them thrive under your care! You're wise to try and store some of them for future use. Herbs are on the most versatile and easiest to store if you cut them fresh before the first frosts damage them. For new Ninjas, have a look at my recent guide on the top ten herbs to grow at home.
Here are some tips on how to store fresh-grown herbs when you have a glut in the garden to keep them at their best:
1. Refrigeration:
For hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, refrigeration works well. Place them in a plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Store them in the crisper drawer and the use them as you would super market bought cut herbs.
2. Freezing:
Freezing is an excellent option for herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley.
Wash and dry the herbs, then chop or leave them whole, depending on your preference.
Place them in ice cube trays and cover with water or olive oil. Once frozen, transfer the herb cubes to a freezer bag.
You can also blanch herbs like basil for a few seconds, then shock them in ice water before freezing.
Then simply drop one of your frozen cubes into soups or stews to add some herbal flavour.
3. Drying:
Drying is perfect for herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary, which can all be dried indoors.
Bundle the herbs with twine and hang them in a dry, dark place with good ventilation. You can also use a dehydrator such as the ones used for sliced fruits.
Once dried, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in airtight containers and don't forget to label them!
4. Herb Butter or Oil:
Make herb-infused butter or oil. Mix finely chopped herbs with softened butter or olive oil, then freeze them in small portions or ice cube trays for later use.
5. Herb Paste:
Create herb pastes by blending fresh herbs with a bit of oil, then freezing them in small portions. These pastes are great for adding flavor to dishes.
6. Herb Salt:
Make herb-infused salt. Combine finely chopped herbs with coarse salt and allow the mixture to air dry before storing it in an airtight container.
I hope that helps and keep up the excellent growing!
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
To my Newsletter
To my YouTube channel