Ah, herbs! There’s something special about growing your own herbs with hydroponics. Not only do they add a pop of color and fragrance to your indoor garden, but they also bring flavor to your meals. Drying fresh herbs is a great way to preserve the flavors and aromas of your favorite herbs. It’s easy to do and an excellent way to save money and reduce food waste. In this blog we’re going our best tips for drying hydroponic herbs. Let’s get into it!
Choose the Right Time to Harvest.
The best time to harvest your hydroponic herbs is when they are fully mature and have reached their peak flavor and aroma. Be sure to harvest before they start to flower, as this can cause them to lose some of their flavor. Use our Best Crops For Hydroponics Guide to plan your harvesting schedule.
Pick the Right Herbs.
Cutting Herbs from your ZipGrow Towers.
Cleaning & Prepping
We recommend rinsing your herbs under cool water to remove any possible bugs. Shake off the excess water and pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel. When it comes time to harvest them, you want to make sure you dry them properly so you can enjoy them for longer.
Tips for Drying Hydroponic Herbs
- Tie the herbs: Gather small bunches and tie them together at the base with a string or a rubber band. You can also use a clothes hanger with clips to hang the herbs.
- Hang the herbs: Hang the herb bunches upside down in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area. A dark and cool place is best. Leave them to dry for about two weeks or until completely dry and brittle.
- 🌿 Oven Drying: Preheat your oven to the lowest setting, then spread your herbs in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and leave the door slightly open to allow moisture to escape. Check the herbs every 15 minutes and remove them once they’re dry and crispy.
- 🌿 Dehydrator: Place your herbs in a single layer on the dehydrator trays and set the temperature to 95°F to 115°F. Leave them to dry for 1-4 hours, depending on the type of herb and the humidity levels. You will likely go through a little trial and error on this one.
- 🌿 Microwave Drying: Arrange your herbs in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to prevent scorching. Once the herbs are dry, remove them from the microwave and let them cool.
Once your herbs are dry, remove the leaves from the stems and store them in airtight containers like glass jars or plastic bags. Be sure to label them with the date and the herb name. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and they should last for up to a year.
Whatever method you choose, the key to successful herb drying is to be sure the herbs are completely dry before storing them; they will retain their flavor and aroma for months.Â
Happy drying!
