Preserve your favorite herbs—parsley, dill, thyme, and more—with simple, no-fuss methods like freezing and drying. Flavorful, seasonal, and so worth it!
Let’s be honest—there’s nothing quite like overbuying herbs at the market or realizing your garden suddenly turned into a jungle. 🌿 Instead of letting them wilt into sadness in the fridge, I’ve learned to freeze, dry, and stash them while they’re still full of flavor (and before they turn into compost). It’s practical, satisfying, and a tiny act of seasonal self-care—plus, your future self will thank you mid-winter!
Still not ready to commit to a newsletter?
No hard feelings. But I do have cute printable kits just waiting to make your life easier 👉
🎁 Explore the Life Kits here
Why Focus on Aromatic Herbs?
Herbs like parsley, dill, thyme & friends aren’t just there to make your kitchen smell like a fancy cooking show—they’re full of flavor, nutrients, and good intentions. They’re cheap, grow like weeds (sometimes literally), and you can find them all year if you know where to look (shoutout to greenhouses and old ladies at the market).
Preserving them yourself means no sad wilting in the crisper drawer, no mystery powders from store-bought jars, and total control over what ends up in your food. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about opening the freezer and seeing jars full of green confetti waiting to spice up your next soup.—
Parsley 🌿
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: Partial to full sun
🌱 Soil: Moderately rich and well-draining
💧 Watering: Keep soil moist, not soggy
Harvest & Preservation:
Once it’s lush and leafy, go wild! I wash, chop, and freeze it in glass jars—SO handy for soups, sauces, or whatever I’m pretending is gourmet.
Note: “I use parsley in nearly everything. I’d probably sprinkle it on pancakes if no one stopped me.”
Dill 🌱
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: Full sun lover
🌱 Soil: Light and fluffy (just like its fronds)
💧 Watering: Regular, but no soggy soil
Harvest & Preservation:
Fresh green fronds are great frozen. Later in the season, I let the plant bolt and harvest it whole—flowers, seeds, tall stems—for drying. Perfect for autumn pickles.
Note: “No pickle jar leaves this kitchen without a proud sprig of dried dill standing tall.”
Lovage 🍃
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: Partial to full
🌱 Soil: Rich and well-drained
💧 Watering: Keep moist—it gets big!
Harvest & Preservation:
Young leaves are the best. I chop and freeze a small batch (emphasis on small).
Note: “It’s the soup whisperer. I don’t use it often, but when I do—it delivers!”
Tarragon 🌱
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: 6 hours, minimum!
🌱 Soil: Well-drained, hates soggy feet
💧 Watering: Moderate and regular
Harvest & Preservation:
Snip away during the season. I freeze or dry it for winter stews and potato soup.
Note: “This herb is bossy—one spoon too many and you’re hosting a licorice party.”
Thyme 🌸
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: Sun worshipper
🌱 Soil: Slightly alkaline and well-drained
💧 Watering: Let it dry out a bit between drinks
Harvest & Preservation:
Sprigs anytime, all season. I freeze or buy whole dried bunches from sweet grannies at the market.
Note: “Thyme waits for no one. I love it for pork and pickles alike!”
Green Onions 🧅
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: Partial to full
🌱 Soil: Rich and fluffy
💧 Watering: Keep those roots happy
Harvest & Preservation:
Snip when they’re pencil-thick. I freeze chopped bits for muffins or soups—but don’t try defrosting them for salads. Unless you like sadness.
Basil 🌿
Planting & Care
🌞 Sunlight: All the sun, please
🌱 Soil: Fertile and well-drained
💧 Watering: Regular and loving
Harvest & Preservation:
Before flowering, cut and enjoy. I’m experimenting with freezing this year—until now I’ve only used it fresh or store-bought dried.
Lela’s Note: “Nothing beats fresh basil in a summer salad. NOTHING.”
Preservation Tips
✨ Freezing: Wash, chop, and toss into jars or zip bags. You can also portion them in ice cube trays (I’m too impatient).
🍃 Drying: Tie them in bundles and hang in a shady, breezy place. Store dried herbs in tight jars to keep the magic.
🌱 Sustainability Hack: Grow or buy local. That way, you avoid mystery sprays and sad, tasteless supermarket herbs. Your future stews will thank you.
Conclusion 🏡
Preserve herbs when they’re lush and vibrant—it’s like bottling up summer. Whether frozen in glass jars or dried and crumbly in cute little tins, these herbs add flavor and soul to your meals.
If you want to dig deeper into seasonal gardening and herb-growing joy, check out:
- May: Embrace Full Bloom and Prepare for Summer
- June Gardening & Recipes
- Fir Syrup: Benefits and Easy Homemade Recipe
Together, they’ll guide you from seed to stash—whether you’re just starting or already knee-deep in parsley.
🌿 Preserve, play, repeat. Seasonal herbs made simple. #SimplifyWithLela 🌿
MakeItSimpl3 