Beginning The Preservation Of The Harvest

Tired after a busy day, in fact it has been a busy two weeks. We now have a total of 24 pints of fresh dried fig leaves for tea, and more will be coming. The lavender just got another cutting and was dried. We have 20 pints of lavender/jasmine tea for the year. Basil, thyme, rosemary, and oregano spice jars have been filled for winter. Spinach and cilantro are dried and gone for the year, as both have bolted. Soon we will be gathering seed. We also finished off the last of the berries this week and are putting these vines to bed. 

We have also started setting aside the herbs as they are ready to make Herb de Provence Spice. We use 2 Tablespoons each of Rosemary, Thyme, Basil,  savory, marjoram, lavender flowers, and Italian Parsley. Then we add 1 Tablespoon of fennel seed, oregano, and tarragon. We then add 1 teaspoon bay powder. This spice we will make as soon as all the herbs have been dried and ground. I have very large spice jars that we fill with fresh herbs each year. 

Next week we will make pickles and start making tomato sauce. Hope everyone else is busy and happy as we all work thru harvest time on the homesteads. I always look forward to seeing the work of the summer in my meager pantry.   What a blessing this time of year is.