314. Fall tiptoed into our lives this past year with beautiful sunny days into November. My herbs were still growing beautifully and some had began to throw seed. When this happens I like to collect seeds for the next growing season, as well as drying the herbs for use in cooking all winter long.
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My dill was beautiful this year and it was mostly seeds that started themselves from last years random seed drop sown into a variety of different destinations. It was a delight to see a dill plant spring up out of seemingly nowhere.
Because it did so well, I saved seed from several plants. I let them go beyond the flower stage and completely dry. Next, I carefully cut off the dried stem and then rubbed my fingers over the seed ends at the top of the dried stem. The seeds drop off easily.
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Once they were sorted through I placed them in envelopes and marked them with the year date of collection. Now to buy a packet of good seeds you would spend around $2.99 to $5.99 depending on the brand. You would only get about a teaspoon of seeds in each packet. I had so many seeds I could have filled 50 packets...and multiply that times $5.99...well lets just say, I could have made a few dollars on this gold mine!
I also dried dill branches for cooking by collecting the stems and tying them with a rubber band. Then hang them in my kitchen till they are completely dry.
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I then placed the dried branches into a bowl and crush it with my hands.
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The branches must be very dry to crumble easily.
Make sure they are small enough pieces in order to fit through the plastic cap with holes for sifting.
Then I place the crumbled pieces in a store bought jar as a refill.
This is such a great addition to your spices because the flavor is stronger and fresher than most store bought products.
It's so simple to do, it just takes a little of your time and effort.
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them."
-Eeyore