I have a sage bush, Which I know what to do there. LOL
But I got 3 new ones. I don't know what to do . I do not know how after harvesting them what to do.
Rosemary
Lavender
Lemon Balm

Did not know that you are suppose to rub the lavender leaves to get the smell. LOL I go and snip the leaves and I smell. YULK. I know that lavender is suppose to smell great. welllllllll I knew something was wrong. I get it and rub it in my hand and immediatly put it to my nose. OH MY. I got a strong wiff. It cleaned my sinuses right up. LOL WOW powerful! Anyway....How do you care for them to get the maximun smell when putting into canisters and jars. Everything I got does not smell like it should.
I don't know how to make things with those herbs ( not talking about cooking) LOL I like the smells.

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i just cut and hang dry mine in the kitchen,then store them for future use. however i end up with lots of stuff stored that i dont always use.

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Might not want to hang dry your Lemon Balm, the leaves will turn black-ish and yucky looking. lol Try picking them off the plant and lying them on a paper towel to dry, if you have a screen to dry them on that's even better. Try to make sure they're dried within two days though, or the black yuck could happen there too. Lemon Balm isn't as potent in the aroma area after it's been dried, but it still smells lovely and it's a good sleep tea or to calm the nerves lol. If they're not dry within a couple of days try using the oven on the lowest setting for a bit until you can crunch a leaf.

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Moderator of: Herbs.

I'm happy to help with any questions!

You could harvest the leaves a bit at a time just about anytime if you want to, just don't take too much. The flowers though are what most folks want, it's where most of the essentials are at. lol

When it starts to grow those flower stalks, harvest the stem just before all the flowers open. You can hang those to dry, or make a lavender wand while they're still pliable. (use 13 stalks and a pretty ribbon about 1/4 inch wide. Tie the ribbon at the base of the flowers, then carefully bend the stems back over the flowers to look like a tortured umbrella. Weave the ribbon over and under for about 3 or 4 inches. Make sure the weave is nice and tight as the stems will shrink as they dry. Tie your knot and let em dry.) If you're wanting to use the flowers then ... after they're dry, take your thumb and forefinger and gently slide them up the stalk to remove the buds. Store and enjoy.

I've only had the opportunity to harvest Lavender once in my gardening time as it surely doesn't like three digit weather. LOL But ... one day I'll have a whole potted garden of the stuff right in my kitchen. LOL

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Moderator of: Herbs.

I'm happy to help with any questions!

I've never made one either. LOL But ... there's about a dozen different ways to make them in just about every herbal I own ... soooooo. LOL To keep the moths away from my clothes (which is what they say to use them for) I just sprinkle a little over the top of my clothes when I put them up for storage. LOL

Mostly I use the Lavender blossoms for a facial scrub. It doesn't take much, but it smells heavenly.

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Moderator of: Herbs.

I'm happy to help with any questions!

Yep.

I should start a new topic though, sos I don't mess with the direction of this one (as if I didn't mess that up a little already. lol).

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Moderator of: Herbs.

I'm happy to help with any questions!

It's a talent. *snort*

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Moderator of: Herbs.

I'm happy to help with any questions!