As summer fades and fall sneaks in, the time to harvest some of nature’s most beneficial wild herbs starts to come to an end. Medicinal herbs like Goldenrod, Plantain, Rose Hips, and Dandelion are some of the most potent and dynamic herbs that will serve you well throughout the winter. Preserving these herbs properly is key to retaining their medicinal properties and flavor…because nobody wants flavorless herbs right?! Below is a guide to help you harvest and preserve wild herbs like New England Aster, Wild Cherry Bark, Queen Anne’s Lace, and many others.
Harvesting Wild Herbs in the Fall
1. Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)
- Best Time to Harvest: Late summer to mid fall, harvest when flowers are 80% bloom or more, but before they .
- How to Harvest: Cut the entire plant at the base, focusing on the upper third of the flowering stalk.
- Preservation Method: Air drying is the best way to preserve goldenrod. Tie small bundles with a rubber band and hang them in a dark, dry place with good air circulation.
2. New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
- Best Time to Harvest: Late summer to early fall, when the flowers fully open.
- How to Harvest: Snip the flowers and leaves using scissors or pruning shears.
- Preservation Method: Lay flowers in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and allow them to air dry.
3. Rose Hips (Rosa spp.)
- Best Time to Harvest: After the first frost when the hips are fully ripe.
- How to Harvest: Clip the hips at the base of the plant, avoiding those that are shriveled or soft.
- Preservation Method: Use a dehydrator. Dense herbs dry more thoroughly in dehydrators and reduce the risk of mold.
4. Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)
- Best Time to Harvest: In the late fall or early winter.
- How to Harvest: Use a spade to dig up the roots, cleaning them thoroughly with cool water.
- Preservation Method: Slice the roots into smaller pieces and dry them in a dehydrator.
5. Plantain (Plantago major)
- Best Time to Harvest: Early fall, before the first frost.
- How to Harvest: Gather the leaves by cutting them close to the base.
- Preservation Method: Air drying or a dehydrator is ideal for plantain. Spread the leaves out on trays.
6. Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus serotina)
- Best Time to Harvest: Late fall, when the bark becomes easier to peel.
- How to Harvest: Carefully remove strips of bark from mature tree branches that can be trimmed.
- Preservation Method: Dehydrator is best. Lay it out in a single layer and dehydrate for several hours.
7. Stinging Nettle Seeds (Urtica dioica)
- Best Time to Harvest: Early to mid-fall, when the seeds are fully developed.
- How to Harvest: Carefully snip the seed heads off the top of the plant.
- Preservation Method: Air drying or Dehydrator.
- Best Time to Harvest: Late summer to early fall.
- How to Harvest: Harvest the flowers and leaves, focusing on the upper parts of the plant.
- Preservation Method: Dry the flowers in small bundles by hanging them upside down in a dark, dry area, or in a dehydrator.
Preservation Methods for Wild Herbs
Air Drying
- One of the easiest ways to preserve fresh herbs is air drying. This method works best for herbs with tender arial parts like Goldenrod and New England Aster. Hang small bundles upside down in a dark place with good air circulation.
Dehydrators
- Denser herbs and herbs with thick stems or fuzzy leaves should be dried in a dehydrator. Never use temps over 110ºF to avoid scorching the herbs and destroying the herbal properties.
Tincturing
- Making concentrated herbal medicine is most efficiently done through tincturing. All of the wild herbs mentioned above tincture best when done as soon after harvest as possible. Refer to the tincture making workshop included with your membership for detailed instructions on how to tincture herbs.
Herbal Oils
- Preserving herbs in olive oil is another great way to maintain their medicinal properties for future use. Herbal infused oils can be used to make healing salves.
Freeze Drying
- Freeze drying herbs is the gold standard in medicinal preservation. This method allows the herbal properties to be locked in super fast and they can be stored for a much longer time.
Storing Herbs
- Once herbs are dried or otherwise preserved, store them in airtight glass jars in a cool, dark place. Properly stored herbs will retain their medicinal properties for later use throughout the colder months.
Harvesting Tips
- Avoid using plastic bags for long-term storage, as they can trap moisture and cause mold.
- Be sure to harvest these wild herbs at the end of their growing season, when they are most medicinally potent.
- It’s a good idea to label your glass containers with the herb name and the date of harvest for easy use in the future.
