August

So far, it’s been a busy month and a wet month, which are the worst conditions for getting any weeding done! I just spent this morning weeding the comfrey and feel a bit intimidated by what still has to be done! The comfrey seems very happy anyway with the biggest leaves I have ever seen and I think this will be one of the next batches to go in the herb dryer. I have also been spending a lot of time in the polytunnel this month (not where you should be very often in the summer) due to the rain, potting on lemon balms, asparagus and taking cuttings of vietnamese coriander. Also growing some plants in doors to build up seed for next year like skullcap and lobeilia (below)

Here (below) is the final result of the dried marigold, which I am very happy with as it still smells like and looks like the original product and has kept it’s colour quite vibrantly, which is important for quality dried herbs. Storage is the next challenge and I am storing them in sealed plastic bags in sealed plastic boxes in a cool, dry environment.

A second shelf has been built and this time we are drying catmint (not quite as medicinal as catnip), california poppy and more marigold!