Written by Rita Connelly, Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer
In July many herbs are at their prime and now is a perfect time to harvest and preserve them. If your herbs are abundant, try freezing them this year. After washing and drying the leaves put them in a food processor with enough oil to cover the leaves. Blend well and pour the fragrant oil in an ice cube tray or zip lock bag and freeze. Then in the midst of winter you can add the amount you need for soups, sauces and pastries. This process is an easy way to add flavor and nutrition in winter and works especially well with basil, tarragon, fennel, dill, cilantro and rosemary.
Many cool weather crops like radishes, arugula, and lettuce are getting ready to bolt or set seeds. This is a great time to remove the plants and plant another warm weather crop like beans or summer squash. Or you could let radish and lettuce continue to grow and save the seeds for another planting either in late summer or next spring.
Dill is at its peak in July. This is an opportunity to dry it for dill weed seasoning. One of my favorite ways of drying dill is to put it in a shoebox lid under the front seat of my car on these hot summer days. After three sunny days the leaves are brittle, crisp and ready to pack in small glass jars for later use. Parsley, thyme, lovage, mint, lemon balm and chamomile can all be dried this way. Alternative ways of drying these herbs are to use an air fryer on its lowest setting or use a microwave. One of my favorite ranch recipes is to blend fresh dill fronds with green onions, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. I recommend trying this dressing on a blanched green bean, pepper, and cucumber salad or dunk raw zucchini in this heavenly sauce.
July gardens also gift us with the ingredients for scented oils. Fill a jar with dried herbs or flowers of your choice such as rose petals, lavender, lemon balm, mint, and calendula. Cover with a carrier oil (almond, sunflower or avocado) and put in a dark cupboard for two months. Strain and pour into a pretty jar for a fragrant bath oil.
For all of you who use vinegar for nontoxic cleaning purposes, simply add a handful of fresh herbs to your jug of vinegar. It is another way to add a fresh scent to a stuffy winter house. Mint, pine needles, rosemary and lemon balm are great choices.
During these hot humid days, the best time to harvest, water and weed are in the cool mornings. Happy harvesting!
For more information:
Harvesting and Preserving Herbs
Preserve Your Fresh Summer Herbs
Ohio State University Extension Portage County Master Gardener Volunteer program. As Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, our articles will never endorse specific products or companies. Questions/comments/suggestions/want to find out more/become a PCMGV: 330-296-6432 • OSU PCMGV web • portco.mgv.oh@gmail.com • FB PCMGV • PCMGV Speaker’s Bureau