Harvesting Herbs Ideally, herbs should be harvested when their aroma and beneficial properties are at their peak. The proper timing of the harvest depends on the part of the plant you intend on using. However, there are general guidelines to collect most herbs. Herbs grown for their foliage should be harvested before they flower. This is the point that they are the most potent. For herbal flowers, such as chamomile, collect them before the buds flower. After flowering, herbs are no longer at their peak. If you are growing herbs for their root, harvest them in the fall after the foliage begins to fade or die off. Some general guidelines to follow include:
• Use a sharp knife.
• Collect herbs in mid-morning, after the dew has dried, but before the sun is too strong.
• Choose clean leaves with no insects or pesticides.
• Annual herbs can be harvested until the first frost.
• Perennial herbs can be harvested through late summer.
Harvesting Botanicals
Harvesting botanicals for use in your products is similar to collecting herbs. Proper timing depends on the flowers you are collecting, but in general, picking botanicals should be done when the bud has just opened. This is usually the peak of the beneficial properties of the flower. General guidelines to follow include:
• Use a sharp knife.
• Collect flowers in mid-morning, after the dew has dried, but before the sun is too strong.
• Select flowers free of insects or pesticides.
• Collect the flowers as soon as the bud has opened.
• Collect flowers in mid-morning, after the dew has dried, but before the sun is too strong.
• Select flowers free of insects or pesticides.
• Collect the flowers as soon as the bud has opened.
The Bonnie Bath Co.
Natural, handmade bath and body products
Natural, handmade bath and body products
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