The final harvests of herbs often occur during these lovely fall days and may include some initial pruning. Many herbs are not as lush in the fall and you may see some rust or powdery mildew. You probably won’t want to use those herbs, so prune them now if you have the time. Harvest what you can and use the “less than best” leaves and flowers in some fall crafts which may make great holiday gifts.
Here are a few suggestions:
Wreath/garland
Create a simple kitchen herbal hanging that you can use throughout the winter. It will bring brightness to your home while also providing practical herbs to use in your cooking and more!
Room Fragrances
These room fragrances are not your grandmother’s potpourri sitting in a basket on the coffee table for years covered with dust. Purchased potpourris often have wood chips which overpower the fragrance of the herbs. Use whole herb leaves and flowers in a bowl with a lid that has holes. The fragrance flows out but the “less than best” herbs aren’t seen. If you want to add a very few drops of essential oils that would be okay.
The potpourri can become the basis for other crafts for yourself or as gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Such as sachets, which is just potpourri in a fabric bag. The ingredients aren’t seen, so again the herbs and flowers from your fall harvest with work fine. Little bags can easily be sewn or not. Tie squares, circles or any shape with pretty ribbon and all is good or sew them if you like. Use fabric pieces (recycle-reuse!) in fancy or no so fancy colors and styles.
Want some specific recipes? Here's a good place to start. There are many others so give it a try. Potpourris will not work for everyone (as I was reminded) so be sensitive to those with sensitive noses and respiratory systems.
Plants, particularly some of the woody herbs, are still growing and the sap is flowing- even if ever so slowly. Many insects and birds are still depending on these plants for their fall sustenance, so prune lightly and save the best for your use and finish the job later this winter.
Here are a few suggestions:
Wreath/garland
Create a simple kitchen herbal hanging that you can use throughout the winter. It will bring brightness to your home while also providing practical herbs to use in your cooking and more!
- Harvest a collection of different herbs from your gardens such as sage, thyme, lavender, rosemary, marjoram and oregano. Leave stems at least 3" long.
- Gather herbs together in small bouquets or bunches and tie off with thin wire, raffia, or thin twine (whatever you have on hand). Plan for at least 10-12 bundles for a good size round shaped wreath.
- Lay one bundle of herbs down on your working surface, then lay another bundle on top, overlapping the front of the second bundle to cover the stems of the second; then secure them to each other hiding the twine.
- Continue layering bundles and securing them together to form a wreath (can be round, square, triangle or whatever shape suits your fancy!).
- Hang your finished creation and enjoy all winter!
Room Fragrances
These room fragrances are not your grandmother’s potpourri sitting in a basket on the coffee table for years covered with dust. Purchased potpourris often have wood chips which overpower the fragrance of the herbs. Use whole herb leaves and flowers in a bowl with a lid that has holes. The fragrance flows out but the “less than best” herbs aren’t seen. If you want to add a very few drops of essential oils that would be okay.
The potpourri can become the basis for other crafts for yourself or as gifts for the upcoming holiday season. Such as sachets, which is just potpourri in a fabric bag. The ingredients aren’t seen, so again the herbs and flowers from your fall harvest with work fine. Little bags can easily be sewn or not. Tie squares, circles or any shape with pretty ribbon and all is good or sew them if you like. Use fabric pieces (recycle-reuse!) in fancy or no so fancy colors and styles.
Want some specific recipes? Here's a good place to start. There are many others so give it a try. Potpourris will not work for everyone (as I was reminded) so be sensitive to those with sensitive noses and respiratory systems.
Plants, particularly some of the woody herbs, are still growing and the sap is flowing- even if ever so slowly. Many insects and birds are still depending on these plants for their fall sustenance, so prune lightly and save the best for your use and finish the job later this winter.
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