Harvesting, Storing, and Preserving Your EasyPot Herbs

Growing herbs in your EasyPot is just the beginning of your culinary journey. Knowing when and how to harvest, store, and preserve your herbs will ensure you get the most flavor and longevity from your indoor garden. Here’s your guide to making the most of your EasyPot herb harvest.

Harvesting Your Herbs

Start harvesting your herbs earlier than you might think! Most herbs benefit from early and regular harvesting, which encourages bushier growth. Here are some tips:

1. Begin harvesting when your herbs have at least 2-3 sets of true leaves.
2. For most herbs, snip off the top few inches, just above a leaf intersection.
3. Never remove more than 1/3 of the plant at once to ensure it can recover and continue growing.
4. Harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the day gets hot for the best flavor.

Regular harvesting not only provides you with fresh herbs but also helps maintain your plants at a manageable size for your EasyPot.

Storing Fresh Herbs

If you’ve harvested more than you can use immediately, here are some short-term storage methods:

1. High water content herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, mint):
   • Trim the stems and place them upright in a glass with a little water, like a bouquet.
   • Cover loosely with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator.
   • Change the water every couple of days.
2. Low water content herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano):
   • Wrap loosely in a damp paper towel.
   • Place in an unsealed plastic bag in the refrigerator.

These methods will keep your herbs fresh for several days to a week.

Drying Herbs

Drying herbs is an excellent way to preserve them for long-term use. Here are two methods:

Quick Microwave Method

1. Place a microwave-safe cup half-full of water in the microwave. (Do not put the herbs in the water, the cup of water is to protect microwave from damage if the herbs do not contain enough moisture)
2. Spread cleaned herb leaves on a double layer of paper towels.
3. Microwave on high for 1 minute.
4. Check the herbs and remove any that are dry and crisp.
5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until all herbs are dry.
6. Crumble the leaves and store in an airtight jar.

Traditional Air-Drying Method

1. Harvest whole stems and bundle 4-6 together at the base with a rubber band.
2. Place the bundle upside down in a paper bag with holes punched for air circulation.
3. Hang the bag in a warm, well-ventilated area.
4. Check the herbs after two weeks, then weekly until completely dry.
5. Once dry, remove leaves from stems and store whole in airtight containers.

Remember, 1 teaspoon of dried herbs is equivalent to 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs in recipes.

Freezing Herbs

Freezing is another great way to preserve herbs, maintaining their flavor for 3-4 months.

Herbal Ice Cubes

1. Chop herb leaves and fill ice cube tray sections 3/4 full.
2. Cover with water or olive oil and freeze.
3. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a labeled freezer bag.
4. Add these flavor-packed cubes directly to soups, stews, or sauces while cooking.

Freezing Whole Sprigs

1. Layer whole herb sprigs in freezer bags (not too many layers).
2. Lay the bags flat in the freezer.
3. Place smaller bags inside a larger gallon-size bag to keep organized.

Note: Frozen herbs are best used in cooking, not as fresh garnishes, as they will turn dark when thawed.

Conclusion

With these methods, you can enjoy the fruits of your EasyPot herb garden year-round. Whether you’re using herbs fresh from your EasyPot, or preserved from a bountiful harvest, you’ll always have flavorful herbs on hand to enhance your culinary creations. Happy harvesting!