What's the best time to harvest herbs from your garden? It depends on the herb, so here's a list of the most common herbs and the ideal time to harvest them:
Basil - when the plant begins to bud, and before it's in full flower. It's best to pinch the buds when they begin to form. Pick leaves from the top of the plant, and it's best to use a knife - using your fingers will crush the stem. You can encourage new growth by deadheading. A second harvest can be obtained by cutting the plant back to 6 inches above the ground, and leaving 2 young shoots in place.
Chives - again, best time is before they flower, but even after flowering, I deadhead the flowers, and continue harvesting the chives.
Cilantro - harvest when the plant is about 6 inches tall. It will need to be replanted every 6 weeks in order to have a regular supply through the season. After the plant bolts, just collect the seeds, dry them and use to replant.
Dill - it will begin putting out flowers around 8 weeks, which stops leaf formation. This is when you should harvest the dill as it will have the most flavor. You can then cut the plant back to within an inch of the ground and get a second harvest in late summer.
Fennel - just pull up every other bulb when the size of a tennis ball. Even the stems can be eaten, like celery. Fennel will reseed itself.
Oregano - like Basil, it's best before the plant flowers, but after flowering, I deadhead the flowers and continue harvesting.
Rosemary - can be picked as needed. For a more bushy plant, cut it back 2 or 3 inches. Rosemary doesn't survive the cold winters, but can be brought inside during the winter and grown in a sunny window.
Garden Tip:
Fennel, dill, cilantro and caraway attract ladybugs, which are very beneficial for your garden. They feed on harmful garden aphids as well as the larvae of mealy bugs, leafhoppers, scales, mites and other soft-bodies bugs.
