Oh, how I love to grow herbs, especially perennial ones! There is just something so nice about harvesting year after year from plants that continuously grow in your garden.
When we moved to this home two years ago, I planted a small oregano plant in what would one day be my raised bed garden. Well, that little plant has exploded! At the moment, it is producing so much that I harvest from it a couple of times each week.
My main use of oregano is dehydrating it and then turning it into powder. This way, I can use it all year long in various dishes that I may make in the kitchen.
I explain the whole process in the video above. But I’m also going to type out what I do here. It is so easy, and anyone can do it.
I like to harvest herbs early in the morning. I typically go outside with scissors and a bowl, and at this point I know just the right amount that will fit into my dehydrator. I try to harvest just the right amount.
After I return inside, I inspect or rinse the oregano. I do not spray my plant with anything, so other than a stray insect or two, I am good to go.
I have a four tiered dehydrator, which you can purchase here. I have used it for about three years now, and it is still going strong.
After the leaves are clean, into the dehydrator they go. I try my best to not overlap the stems. They dry quicker that way. You can also tie the stems, and hang them to dry. This method takes a good deal longer, though.
Once the leaves are crispy to the touch and crumble easily, I know they are ready to be turned into powder. This is the grinder that I use. I use my fingers to swipe the leaves off of the stem and into the grinder. Once the grinder is full, I use it for about 15 seconds to turn the oregano into powder.
And that’s it! So easy, right? I also use this method to turn my greens into powder to use in soups and casseroles. That way, my family gets an extra boost of nutrition and they don’t even know it.
One of my projects this year is to greatly expand the area where I grow herbs. Lord willing, next year I will have a decent sized medicinal herb garden in place.
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today, friends!
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