Harvesting Herbs

To keep your herbs growing well, they need to be harvested on a regular basis.

If you don't, they could end up flowering and going to seed. A good example of this is cilantro. The taller it grows the thinner the sprigs get and than it will flower. After it flowers, it will seed and you will get whole coriander.

Having coriander is good, but if you still want the cilantro, you will need to keep it cut so it won't get tall and flower.

The best time of day to cut your herbs is in the morning. The herbs are more aromatic. As the day goes on and the sun gets higher and hotter, it will dry some of the aromatic oils in the plant.

The best way to cut your herbs is with scissors. You don't want to break off the leaves or sprigs with your fingers. A sharp cut is better for the plant because there is no tearing and possibility of hurting the plant.

When you want to start harvesting your herbs, make sure that it is big enough. You never want to harvest more than a third of the plant at a time If you take more than that, there is a possibility that the plant could die or at the least go into shock and need to be restored to health before you could harvest any more.

Herb grow at a fast rate so don't be surprised if you are harvesting regularly.

Even if you don't intend to use the herbs right away they can be stored in the fridge in a wet paper towels for a few days. You can also buy herb storage containers.

You can also dry them or freeze them. And it is better to do that with younger, fresher herbs then it is to wait until you have a big bunch ready for harvest. By than, some of the leaves will be old and not as good quality.