All this talk about dehydrators is interesting, but you’re right; all of you that say you don’t need one… I’m in Columbus Ohio, USA (I thought I should mention that, since I suspect all of you are in Great Britain–why I suspect that I can’t say: I just do! No, wait, that’s not true. Someone mentioned “letuca scariola”. I understand–please correct me if I’m wrong–but that plant only grows in Europe. When I looked it up on the web, all I heard about was Americans smoking it! I was annoyed. Their premise was that lettuce is legal; so why not abuse it! I’m about using what God has given us for wholesome purposes–not to waste our lives. So that’s why I suspect you’re in Europe. I don’t know if letuca scariola grows naturally in my part of the world.)

Anyway, about dehydrating…

Any circumstance that allows moisture to be drawn from the plant and removed from it is dehydrating the plant. Fermentation occurs when the plant is allowed to retain its’ moisture too long. That’s why the relation between airflow and temperature is so important. I was either blessed or cursed–I can’t decide which–with a sister that thought she was an American Indian at heart. Why that was I’ll never know, since she’s passed on, and I’ve learned that we’ve been Scotish back to the 1500’s! But I learned from her to respect native American ways; and I’ve learned from Tom Brown’s book, “A guide to wilderness survival” that the key to dehydrating–along with any other thing you need–is to manipulate it!

You don’t need a machine to do this. If you’re anywhere there is sunshine, or anywhere there is wind, you can dehydrate things you’ve removed from the ground. You’re even further ahead if you’ve got a sizeable piece of metal at hand. You can make a box that will create the required heat inside, if it’s placed in a full sun.

I’ve got my first complete dandelion plant on my kitchen counter right now. It’s gotta be dried, and ready to be made into tea and coffee. It’s been there for nigh until three weeks: the root is probably too thin to make a decent pot of anything, but it’ll be my first try. Yeah me! hehehe

About 6 weeks ago, I pulled up a bushel of creeping charlie and hung it up in a cotton bag in my shed… I’m now wondering what to do with it. My mom says to burn it; but I believe it has medicinal properties as well as edible ones. I need to act quickly though, as the creeping charlie is creeping back! I may have another harvest pretty soon!

I’d appreciate any advice you have on what to do with these plants.

Brian

I hadn’t thought of wicker plates, Irene. I bet that is pretty. I love the idea of using herbs for decoration while they are drying.

I am drying Nettles like mad right now. That and still finding dandelion blooming from my diligent picking of the flowers all spring.

Great blog!!

Blessings,

Amy

Blake — yes! just do it! let us know how it goes. I’m still amazed how easy it all is.

Must! Get! Over it. This is great get-over-it inspiration. I love the thought of your cupboards filled with jars full of herbs, already. Here in this moist climate I think I will get some small silica packets to throw in there for peace of mind, if I do this.

But as you know I am a little behind on blogging somebody tagged me, which I haven’t gotten to yet…