Easy Herb Drying Rack
Preserve the bounty from your herb garden by drying! One of the best and easiest ways to dry herbs from your garden is on a drying rack. Our rack not only gets the job of drying herbs done, it looks great in your kitchen while doing it! If you don’t have these items at home, you can find them at grocery, hardware, and craft stores.
Supplies:
- A wood picture frame with a deep inset (you’ll need space to attach the hooks)
- Twine
- Small fish-eye hooks
- Scissors
- Herbs that dry easily: basil, catnip, chamomile, dill, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme.
Instructions for the Rack
- Remove glass and backing from picture frame.
- Screw hooks into interior of picture frame. Be sure to allow adequate space between rows for herb bundles.
- Tie twine to hooks.
Instructions for Drying Herbs
- Harvest herbs in the morning after dew has dried, when flavor is at its peak.
- Bundle small bunches of herbs together with string.
- Hang bundles on rack upside down.
- Allow herbs to dry in a cool, dry location, preferably indoors, and out of direct sunlight. Essential oils can degrade in temperatures over 86°F.
- Allow herbs to dry completely (they should crumble easily in your fingers). Drying time may be a few days to a few weeks, depending on the variety and moisture content.
- Use within a month or strip the foliage from the stems and store in an airtight container in a dark area away from heat.
We’d love to see how creative you get with your herb drying rack! Hashtag your creations with #botanicalinterests.