DIY Week: preserving herbs

I hope that you have enjoyed the first two DIYs of this fabulously themed and original week! All these DIYs are things I've personally completed [and photographed]. In other words, these DIYs come recommended by me! Today's focus is on an aspect of sustainable living: preserving your own herbs to use for later! If you're like me, you always end up buying more herbs from the grocer than you actually need for a particular recipe. Then, unbeknownst to you, the remainder of the herbs get pushed to the back of the fridge, or tucked away in that side door and forgotten until the next culinary adventure begs their flavor. But then, oh no! They've gone bad! And you already made that special trip out... so, I guess, leave them out of the recipe this time? No! Here are some helpful ways to prolong your own home-grown herbs or even those specialty store boughts!

There are so many ways to preserve herbs. My personal favorite is drying - because its easy and easily forgotten but without negative consequences ("oh look, here's the cabinet that I hung this rosemary in! perfect, I'll use these tonight!"). To dry herbs, you must choose wisely. Those with a sturdy stem and low moisture are best for air drying (think of rosemary, tarragon, thyme and sage for examples). This guide from my favorite online herb supplier, Mountain Rose Herbs located in Oregon, is the best source for understanding the herb drying methods of: air drying via hanging the stems upside down versus drying the leaves on a screen.

Most likely, you will hang yours to dry like I did, which is simple. I gathered several sprigs of my rosemary, tied them together at the base and hung them upside down in my humidity controlled cabinet (I use an electronic dehumidfier to help keep moisture out of my tropical island cabinets haha. No A/C and open windows all the time = lots of places for dry things to get soggy)

Now, not all herbs are "dry worthy", like cilantro for example. Freezing herbs is a great alternative. One trick I like is the ice cube tray method: put your desired amount of chopped herb into the ice cube tray (hint: choose an amount that you typically cook with, like 2 tsp. cilantro or 1 tbsp chopped basil), pour water over them and freeze. When you're ready to use, you may thaw or just drop the cube directly into whatever you're cooking. Don't forget to account for the added water. Here are some of Martha's hints for freezing basil.

More ideas? Try microwaving, layering with salt and sugar and creating pastes and butters! Here are some helpful instructions for these options.
Curious about what herbs to grow, cook or preserve? Check out this illustrated guide to herbs! Like that little thyme watercolor above? Check out this Etsy shop to deck our your kitchen with inspiring herbal prints. Need a growing chart or seasonal guide to plan when to plant and harvest your herbs? Check out this one.


There are many options to preserving your herb garden. Be sure to trim your herbs regularly, as this helps them maintain growth. Need help utilizing all your dried goodness? How about selling at a local farmer's market or giving them away as gifts? Wrap some pretty thread and attach a sweet note and you have a clever and unique house-warming gift! Get creative!




Random Side Notes:

• Don't forget about our book swap! Have you checked out this feature yet? One book was already claimed right away! I have two others I'm willing to swap at the moment. Let's share our favorites! Remember, this feature is updated pretty consistently. Check back often and feel free to inquire. Want a random book in Spanish? There's a little donation book store down the road; I can accommodate that request!
• I updated the DIY Reef Jewelry Hanger to include the link to mine in the shop! Here is the link. 
• Get ready for another giveaway coming up next week!
• Also, I am working on an art piece with a video feature. I'll show you how to make your very own mermaid on canvas without any particular skill in drawing or painting! Curious? Stay tuned!

[Photos: Rosemary by me; One // Two // Three ]

Until tomorrow,