Aromatic plants and herbs are a real treasure of nature, as they give us a wonderful aroma in food, multiple benefits for our health, while we can use their essential oils in many ways. But do we know when is the right time to collect the aromatic plants?
Each aromatic plant blooms in a different season and the harvest season is different. The development area also plays an important role. Thus, in the southernmost and warmest areas we pick our herbs, earlier than in northern and mainland Greece. Below is a guide to the best known and most widely used herbs.
Burr: March-April, August-September (roots)
Artemisia (infidelity): September-October (flowers)
Valerian: September-October (roots)
Basil: June-July-August (leaves)
Thistle: January-February-March (leaves), May, June-July-August (seeds)
Anise: June-July-August
Daphne: All Seasons
Rosemary: October-November (especially when it is in bloom)
Mint: June-July-August
Echinacea: June-July-August (flowers), September-October (root in the 4th yearThe)
Thyme: July-August
Calendula: April-May-June-November (flowers)
Koliadro: May-June leaves, July-August-September (seeds)
Lavender: June-July-August (in bloom)
Flax: June-July-August (seeds)
Honeysuckle: June-July-August
Mint: All year round for fresh, for drying before flowering, in July
Oregano: July-August
Celery: May-June-July (leaves) August-September (seeds)
Mustard: June-July (seeds)
Garlic: June-July
Taraxaco: All months (leaves), June-July (root)
Tilio: July-August
Nettle: February-March-April-May (leaves), June-July-August (seeds)
St. John's wort (balsam grass): May-June-July (flowers)
Sage: May-June
Chamomile: April-May-June
Tips for the right collection
- Sunny days
- No rainy days (if their leaves are wet they may rot)
- We do not injure the plants during collection
- After collection, we place them in baskets so that they are ventilated
- If we want to wash them to remove dust and unwanted materials, we must know that this delays drying and there is a risk of rot and we must drain them carefully.
- Finally, tie them in loose bunches and hang them upside down in a shady place to dry
