How to Grow and Herb Garden and Dehydrate Basil and Other Herbs

Growing Basil, Oregano, Mint

Herbs grow best in the soil, but can also be grown in containers. Aaron and I have found that our Basil has done fantastic in its location in our backyard for a few reasons; one, location: it gets sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon, two, watering: We water the herbs every day by spraying them with a hose gently from the top down, (for some reason our drip system or watering the soil below the plant just didn’t work as well as spraying them with a hose - thats how nature does it! Think of rain and how it hits  your plants - water them like that), three, TLC (tender loving care): Basil needs to be pruned on almost a daily basis here in Arizona. Basil produces small white flowers along the tops of the plant and they need to be removed often in order for the plant to focus on producing more leaves for you. If you pinch just below the white flowers and rip them off the plant, then your Basil will flourish. It also needs to be harvested fairly often as well. I pick Basil leaves a few times a week to keep the plant wanting to grow more leaves for me. I use fresh basil leaves on home made pizza, in Italian dishes and they are also great on chicken salad sandwhiches and other types of sandwiches, soups and salads. I have been focusing a lot lately on dehydrating my herbs, so that I can store them and add them to my food storage. 

Dehydrating Herbs:

Pick the lower under leaves of the Basil first. If you pick the leaves that are on top and bigger than the others, you have actually done a disservice to your plant. The top of the plant that has the bigger leaves, are there to serve as  an umbrella or source of shade to the rest of your plant. If you pick them, you are taking away the plants protection from becoming over heated. Simply pick one leaf at a time towards the middle of the plant, take them inside and give them a good rinse with water (be sure to be gentle and not bruise the leaves when washing them). Then you lay them flat on a dehydrating tray and space them out so they do not touch each other. You can do as many trays at a time as your dehydrated allows (mine has 5). Put the lid on and turn your dehydrator on. Leave them drying for anywhere between 2-6 hours. To test if they are done, take one leaf out and if it crumbles when you try to break it in half, its good to go. When the dehydrating process is complete, place all dried leaves in a food processor or blender, pulse until they look like little crumbs. (Same consistency as what you would see your herb in a store bought spice container - no big chunks or stems should be left. only tiny pieces). Put your blended herbs in a spice jar or other glass jar with a lid that seals well and you are finished! If you have any questions about herb gardening or dehydrating herbs, let me know. I am only a phone call away :0).

Below is another source of ways to grow an herb garden.

Herb Garden: http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/Herb-Gardening-for-Beginners-d19.htm