Harvesting Plant Material

[IdahoHerbalist]

Yesterday I walked out to the front of our property to harvest some Goldenrod. There were several heads that looked to be in very good shape: no dried or withered flowers and nearly all of the buds were opening or soon to open. My motivation was a potential thunderstorm that was coming from the South and I did not want to risk losing them. I cut off several flower heads including a portion of the main plant.

One thing you need to do when wild-crafting is to make sure you do not bring any unwanted critters home with you. I took precautions to check the plants and evicted some lady bugs and a couple of little bees and wasps with a quick flick.

I did not have a paper bag yesterday and so I put them in a plastic grocery bag. I found a paper bag today so I wanted to transfer to that. While taking the plants out of the bag, HOLY MACKEREL! There were many dozens of little critters crawling and hopping about in the bag. Upon closer examination there were more still on the plants themselves: spiders, aphids, little things that were trying to fly.

It took two more attempts at a vigorous eviction to clean them sufficiently that I felt safe (from the wife!) to bring them back into the house in the paper bag.

Now Patrick, this does NOT need to go any further than this, hear? 😯

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I have always just hung herbs up rather than using a bag. I make little bundles using a rubber band and hang them in the shade for a few hours. Gives the bugs a chance to vacate. The only reason to use the bag is if you want to put stuff in the sun. If you have a shady or indoor location, just hang them up. I hang things in my breezeway which is perfect. Sometimes I just lay out some newspaper on a counter and toss the herbs on it for a few days. Food dehydrators work well too. I turn off the heat and just use the air. As often as not I don’t turn it on at all and just let the herbs dry on the racks. Doesn’t take long and uses no power. 🙂

It’s also a good idea to rinse plants off before drying. It’s amazing how much dust and passengers even clean-looking plants have on them.

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

I thought about rinsing them off but did not for two reason:

1) the flowers are in full bloom and I did not want to wash away any of the pollen.

2) My #2 mentor, Moore, says he does not see any reason to wash them off unless they are REALLY dirty.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I rinsed off some really clean looking stuff the other day. Couldn’t believe the dirt that came off. HIstorically I’ve never been a washer either unless it looked really bad but I ain’t scared of bugs. 😉

Patrick

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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