Harvest & process

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

When

Fully open heads, dry morning, every few days through the flush.

Part

Flower heads

In the field

Pinch the head; leave the plant. A second flush often follows a midsummer cut.

Cure

Single layer on a screen in the dark until the cone is crisp.

Store

Tin, whole heads, a year if the apple smell is still there.

A bed can fill a winter tin if you pick as they open.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

When

Spikes with the first flowers open, dry morning.

Part

Flower spikes

In the field

Cut long stems. Keep a few for the bees.

Cure

Hang in the dark. Rub buds off the spike when dry.

Store

Buds in a tin. The oil is not a tea.

Culinary bud is the cup. Essential oil is not a beverage.

Elderberry

Sambucus nigra

When

Flowers fully open; berries fully black and cooked only.

Part

Ripe berries (cooked) · Flowers

In the field

Cut umbels. Leave plenty for birds. Flowers dry; berries cook.

Cure

Flower screens. Berries simmered and strained — not a raw handful.

Store

Dried blossom; cooked syrup in the fridge or a proper jar.

Leaves, bark, and raw berries are the wrong harvest.

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

When

Petals or whole heads as they open, every day or two.

Part

Flower heads

In the field

The more you pick, the more it flowers.

Cure

Screen-dry until the resinous center is crisp.

Store

Whole heads for oil; petals for a gentle tea.

St. John's wort

Hypericum perforatum

When

Tops as flowers open, around St. John's Day (late June) in the north.

Part

Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Milk thistle

Silybum marianum

When

Cut heads when purple fades and white pappus shows; dry in paper bags.

Part

Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

When

Blossoms just open; berries when fully red/dark after first frost.

Part

Flowering tops · Berry

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

When

Seed heads when they tan; bulb when tennis-ball plump.

Part

Ripe seed · Bulb and frond as food

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Plantain

Plantago major

When

Young leaves anytime; seed when spikes brown.

Part

Leaf · Seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

When

Second-year flower, dry; leaf before the stalk, also dry.

Part

Leaf · Flower

In the field

Wear gloves if the hairs bother you. Cloth-strain any tea twice.

Cure

Hang leaf. Screen the flowers.

Store

Leaf tin. Unstrained hairs scratch a throat.

Red clover

Trifolium pratense

When

Young heads just opening, dry fast.

Part

Flower heads

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Hops

Humulus lupulus

When

Cones when they feel papery and smell loud, late summer.

Part

Female cones (strobiles)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Burdock

Arctium lappa

When

Root in autumn of year 1, before the frost heaves it.

Part

First-year root · Young leaf (food, bitter) · Seed (traditional, stronger)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Wash, slice thin, dry until the center snaps.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

When

Open plumes in midsummer, dry fast.

Part

Flowering tops · Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Dog rose

Rosa canina

When

Petals as they open; hips after frost, still firm and red.

Part

Ripe hip · Unsprayed petal

In the field

Hips: split and scoop the itchy hairs, or buy them cleaned.

Cure

Petals screen-dry. Hips simmer and strain.

Store

Dried petal; strained hip put-up.

Roselle

Hibiscus sabdariffa

When

Calyces fleshy, a few days after the flower drops.

Part

Fleshy calyx

In the field

Twist the red calyx. Leave the seed pod if you want more plants.

Cure

Screen or a low dehydrator until leathery-dry.

Store

A jar of calyces. The color is the plant.

Spearmint

Mentha spicata

When

Before full bloom, repeatedly.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Linden

Tilia cordata

When

Blossom as it opens, dry in the shade at once.

Part

Flower with bract

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Evening primrose

Oenothera biennis

When

Seed in year 2 when capsules dry; root in year 1 if you eat it.

Part

Seed oil · Young root as food

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Wash, slice thin, dry until the center snaps.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris

When

Spikes as they purple.

Part

Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

When

Spikes as they blue.

Part

Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Cilantro

Coriandrum sativum

When

Leaf young; seed when umbels tan.

Part

Leaf · Ripe seed

In the field

Decide the crop: salsa leaf, or wait for coriander seed.

Cure

Leaf freezes poorly but a paste in oil works. Seed dries on a cloth.

Store

Seed a year. Leaf is a now-food.

Dill

Anethum graveolens

When

Leaf before bloom; seed when umbels brown.

Part

Leaf · Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

When

Cut 2 inches above the crown. Never scalp the clump.

Part

Leaf · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet marjoram

Origanum majorana

When

Cut as the knots of flower form — flavor peaks then.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Green cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

When

Pods when just green-ripe. Most cooks buy them dried.

Part

Ripe seed (inside the green pod)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Arnica

Arnica montana

When

Open flowers, dry, for oil only — not a cupboard tea.

Part

Flower heads (external)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Borage

Borago officinalis

When

Flowers as they open; youngest leaves only.

Part

Flower · Young leaf (sparingly)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Fenugreek

Trigonella foenum-graecum

When

Leaf young; seed when pods dry and rattle.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

When

Umbels tan in a hot summer. They shatter the week you turn your back.

Part

Ripe seed

In the field

Bag the heads. A cold year is a green plant and no spice.

Cure

Dry on a cloth, rub out the seed.

Store

Whole seed. Toast before you judge it.

Clove

Syzygium aromaticum

When

Unopened buds, dried. A tree takes years.

Part

Dried flower bud

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Juniper

Juniperus communis

When

Ripe blue berries in autumn. They take two years on the shrub.

Part

Ripe berry (fleshy cone)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

When

Leaves anytime; flowers as they open; green seeds for pickle.

Part

Leaf · Flower · Green seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Saffron

Crocus sativus

When

The morning the autumn flower opens. Three threads, then the bloom is spent.

Part

Dried stigma

In the field

Named C. sativus corms only — not Colchicum.

Cure

Dry the stigmas the same morning in the shade until they snap.

Store

A tiny tin, dark. A pinch is a pot.

Colchicum is a deadly lookalike in the garden center.

Nutmeg

Myristica fragrans

When

Split ripe fruit; dry the seed and the mace separately. A tree takes years.

Part

Seed · Aril (mace)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

When

Young leaf in the cool; seed when pods tan, before they shatter.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Bag the pods or the garden becomes mustard.

Cure

Leaf as a green or freeze. Seed dries on a cloth, then a jar.

Store

Seed a year. Grind with cold water and vinegar — heat kills the heat.

Cacao

Theobroma cacao

When

Ripe pods, ferment the seeds. Most kitchens buy the bar.

Part

Fermented dried seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Coffee

Coffea arabica

When

Red cherries, pulp, ferment, dry, roast. A house plant is mostly an ornament.

Part

Roasted seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sesame

Sesamum indicum

When

Cut stalks as pods tan, before they pop, and dry in a bag.

Part

Ripe seed · Expressed oil

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Flax

Linum usitatissimum

When

Seed when capsules tan and rattle; fiber earlier, a different crop.

Part

Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Nigella

Nigella sativa

When

Capsules when they tan; bag or they shatter.

Part

Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Anise

Pimpinella anisum

When

Umbels when they tan; bag or they shatter.

Part

Ripe seed

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Shiso

Perilla frutescens

When

Leaves anytime; pinch before it flowers if you want leaf.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops · Seed in Korean cooking

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

When

Leaf through the season; seed when umbels tan.

Part

Leaf · Stem · Seed · Root in old kitchens

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Wash, slice thin, dry until the center snaps.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Caraway

Carum carvi

When

Umbels in year two when they tan; bag them.

Part

Ripe seed · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Blue vervain

Verbena hastata

When

Flowering spikes as they open, dry.

Part

Aerial parts in flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Neem

Azadirachta indica

When

Leaf as needed for a wash. Seed oil is an industry.

Part

Leaf (external; traditional twig) · Seed oil (external / garden)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Hang small bunches out of sun until the leaf shatters.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Lady’s mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris

When

Leaf before or as it flowers, dry.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Bee balm

Monarda fistulosa

When

Leaf and tops as they flower.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Anise hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

When

Leaf anytime; spikes as they color.

Part

Leaf · Flowering tops

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Goldenrod

Solidago canadensis

When

As the plumes open, before they go to fluff. Hang or screen-dry.

Part

Flowering tops · Leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

When

Heads when the back turns yellow-brown and the bracts droop. Petals anytime.

Part

Seed · Petal · Young head

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Heartsease

Viola tricolor

When

Flowers as they open. Keep cutting and it keeps coming.

Part

Flower · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet violet

Viola odorata

When

Flowers in early spring, before the leaf takes over.

Part

Flower · Young leaf

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Arabian jasmine

Jasminum sambac

When

Pick barely-open buds in the evening.

Part

Fresh flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Garland chrysanthemum

Glebionis coronaria

When

Cut-and-come-again when 6 inches. Do not wait for a woody stem.

Part

Young leaf · Shoot · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Clove pink

Dianthus caryophyllus

When

Flowers at peak scent, in the cool of the morning.

Part

Petal (white heel removed)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Orange daylily

Hemerocallis fulva

When

Buds the day before they would open. Flowers the morning they open.

Part

Unopened bud · Fresh flower (stamens removed if you prefer)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Rose geranium

Pelargonium graveolens

When

Leaves anytime. Flowers as a garnish.

Part

Leaf · Flower

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Dahlia

Dahlia × pinnata

When

Flowers all summer. Tubers after the tops blacken from frost.

Part

Tuber · Petal

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

French marigold

Tagetes patula

When

Flowers all summer if you cut

Part

Flower (companion planting) · Leaf (scent)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

When

When the stem is stiff and the bloom is just open.

Part

Flower (cut and insectary)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Cosmos

Cosmos bipinnatus

When

Cut when the petals are just back from the disk.

Part

Flower (cut and insectary)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet alyssum

Lobularia maritima

When

Bloom is the harvest — leave it for the flies.

Part

Flower (insectary)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea

When

The view is the harvest. Seed if you want a colony.

Part

Flower (decorative; occasional unsprayed tea)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Garden peony

Paeonia lactiflora

When

Cut buds when they are marshmallow-soft for the vase. Petals as they open.

Part

Petal (unsprayed)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Snapdragon

Antirrhinum majus

When

Spikes with the lower third open.

Part

Flower (cut)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Sweet pea

Lathyrus odoratus

When

Every day, stems of just-open flowers. Leaving pods ends the bloom.

Part

Flower (cut only)

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus

When

Cut when the outer florets are just open. Petals anytime.

Part

Petal · Flower head

In the field

Cut on a dry morning after dew lifts, from a plant you grew or a site you have a right to pick.

Cure

Single layer on a screen, dark, until crisp.

Store

Whole, dark, labeled with the year. Crumble at use.