Your End-of-Summer Guide to Preserving Herbs
Late summer in Georgia is bittersweet, basil is stretching tall and blooming, dill has gone feathery and wild, and lemon balm is giving one last lush burst before the cooler nights arrive. While the garden is still alive and buzzing, fall is just around the corner, and that means now is the perfect time to start preserving your herbs.
Why preserve herbs? Because with a little effort now, you can turn today’s harvest into tomorrow’s teas, seasonings, and wellness remedies, stocking your pantry and apothecary cabinet so you’re supported all season long. Think cozy cups of lemon balm tea, rosemary salt for winter roasts, and a shelf of remedies that make cold-weather living a little gentler.
Let’s explore three simple ways to preserve herbs - drying, freezing/infusing, and seed saving - plus how Planted Wellness can help you fill the gaps with ready-made tinctures and oxymels.
Step One: Drying Herbs
Drying is the most traditional way to preserve herbs, and it’s still one of the best. It works for both culinary stars (like oregano, thyme, chives) and medicinal allies (like lemon balm, chamomile, and calendula).
How to do it:
Harvest in the morning once dew has dried - this is when oils are strongest.
Rinse if needed, and pat dry.
Tie small bundles and hang upside down in a warm, dry place out of direct sun.
In 1–2 weeks, leaves should crumble easily. Store in airtight jars away from light.
👉 Shortcut option: Use a dehydrator on the lowest setting for quicker drying.
Use them for:
Lemon balm tea to ease stress
Calendula petals for skin-healing salves
Dill or rosemary sprinkled on roasted veggies
Step Two: Freezing & Infusing Herbs
Drying isn’t your only option! Two other simple methods bring fresh garden flavor (and wellness benefits) into fall and winter.
Freezing Herbs in Ice Cubes
Chop herbs like basil, dill, or lemon balm.
Place in ice cube trays, cover with olive oil (for cooking) or water (for teas).
Freeze, then pop cubes into a freezer bag.
When winter comes, you’ll have instant drops of garden flavor ready to go, think basil for soups, dill for salmon, or lemon balm cubes for tea.
Herbal Vinegars & Honeys
Infusions are an easy, kitchen-friendly way to keep your herbs working for you.
Vinegar infusions: Cover fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil with apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 2–3 weeks, then strain. Use in salad dressings, marinades, or as a daily tonic.
Herbal honeys: Fill a jar with fresh chamomile, lemon balm, or thyme. Pour honey over top, let infuse for 2–3 weeks. Perfect stirred into tea or taken by the spoonful for sore throats.
These methods feel a little bit witchy, a little bit homestead - and they’re a great introduction to the apothecary world without being overwhelming.
Skip the Steeping: PW’s Seasonal Tinctures & Oxymels
If tincturing feels like too much (we get it - six weeks of shaking jars isn’t everyone’s vibe), Planted Wellness has you covered. We craft small-batch, seasonal tinctures and oxymels designed to support your body as the seasons change.
Tinctures are fast-acting. They’re concentrated herbal extracts taken in small drops under the tongue, which allows them to enter your bloodstream directly. Think of them as your body’s quick-response team, perfect for immune support or stress relief when you need it fast.
Oxymels are gentler and slower. Made with herbs, honey, and vinegar, they work through your digestion for a slow release of support. Think of them as your body’s long game, nourishing and steady, especially for the immune system and respiratory health.
✨ Stocking up on tinctures and oxymels now means your apothecary cabinet is ready when cold winds (and winter sniffles) arrive. Explore Planted Wellness Co’s Apothecary Shop to see what’s in season.
Step Three: Storing Seeds for Next Year
Preserving isn’t just about your pantry, it’s about future gardens too. Saving seeds ensures your favorite herbs return next spring.
How to do it:
Let herbs like dill, basil, and cilantro go to seed.
Once seed heads are brown and dry, snip them into a paper bag.
Label, date, and store in a cool, dry place until planting season.
Seed saving is a beautiful full-circle practice, today’s blooms become next year’s abundance.
Simple Herbal Recipes to Try
Basil & Lemon Balm Evening Tea
1 tsp dried lemon balm
1 tsp dried holy basil (Tulsi)
Steep 5 minutes, add a drizzle of honey if desired
👉 Tulsi is still thriving in late August heat and pairs beautifully with lemon balm for relaxation + balancing energy
Rosemary Garlic Herb Salt
½ cup sea salt
2 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried garlic chives
Blend, store in a jar — perfect for roasted potatoes or chicken.
Bringing It All Together
Preserving herbs is more than just saving the harvest, it’s about extending the life of your garden and keeping its benefits close all year long. From dried teas and frozen cubes to herbal vinegars and saved seeds, your pantry can become a little apothecary of its own.
And for those remedies that take more time (or expertise), PW is here with tinctures and oxymels crafted for the season, so your wellness is supported whether you’re a DIYer or a “buy it ready” kind of herbalist.
🌿 Ready to start stocking your pantry and apothecary cabinet? Visit Planted Wellness Co’s Shop to see what’s in season and start building your fall wellness stash today.
