Jars! lots of them, all sizes- this is where hoarding jars begins! Jars for storing herbs, for making concoctions in

a saucepan or double boiler

heat safe glass dish, measuring cups or a double boiler

oil of choice for making oil infusions- olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, etc. We will discuss which oils are best for which applications, so you don’t need to buy this before we begin

40-50% alcohol (80-100 proof) like vodka- which has no flavour or other alcohols like rum or brandy for other tinctures. We will discuss which solvents are best for which plants in the group.

scissors or a knife

somewhere to dry herbs- a basket, a cooling rack, some string to tie bundles if you want to hang herbs to dry

Other tools that may be useful:

stand mixer or hand mixer for making skin care products

lots of bowels, stainless steel or glass

something to crush herbs with- mortar and pestle, mallet, hammer, rolling pin, your hands

essential oils of your choice

witch hazel, various kinds of vinegar

a variety of oils and kinds of butter like shea, cocoa, jojoba, apricot, rosehip

beeswax

vitamin E oil (as a perseverative)

Plant parts are harvested specifically when each part is at their peak, not just any time in the growing season. This will change a bit year to year so it’s a good idea to get familiar with your plants and visit them often.

Roots- roots are best harvested when the plant is done growing for the year, after frost. When harvesting roots be mindful to bury and firm the dirt around the remaining roots so that the plant will thrive again next year. Roots can be used fresh or dried. Large roots should be cut into smaller pieces prior to drying to allow even drying.

Stems- Stems are best harvested after the leave appear, prior to flowering until the flowers are to be used as well.

Barks- whenever possible use bark from pruned branches. Do not harvest bark from the trunk of a tree as it can damage it and make it more susceptible to insect infestation. Never take a ring or bark from around the tree trunk, this will kill the tree. Often the inner bark of trees it used which means that the outer layer is cut away and the lighter inside bark is used. Most tree bark is better harvest in the fall, however if you are pruning a tree, feel free to harvest the bark from those branches at any time in the growing season. Shrub bark is best harvested in the spring.

Leaves- are best harvested after they have fully unfurled and before they wither in the fall. If the plant flowers it is best to harvest leaves before flowering. Ideally you should harvest leaves after the morning dew dries and before the full heat of the day or in the evening once it has started to cool off again. The full summer heat can diminish some of the plant’s energy so we don’t want to injure the plant by harvesting in full heat. Plants high in essential oils or resins such as Rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint and calendula should be harvested in the hottest part of the growing season when their oils are fully flowing.

Flowers- are best harvested just before they are fully opened, their scent and strength are at their height. Harvest after the dew has dried and before the heat of the day. If at all possible do not wash flowers before preserving. Simply shake away any bugs or debris. If you plan to dry them it should be without heat and away from direct light. If using for tinctures you can preserve them freshly picked. If using for oil infusions you can use them fresh or allowing them to air dry for only a few hours then covering with oil.

Saps and Pitches- these are usually collected in later winter or early spring. Be mindful of how much you take, and not to sap the tree’s strength.

Harvesting dates for common plants. Times will vary by area and year by year. I will add more as we go along.

Mid April to mid May: Spruce tips, immature spruce and pine cones, dandelion leaves, Black poplar buds, pine resin, tree sap, Linden flowers, lilac flowers

Mid May to early June: dandelion flowers , pine pollen, pansies, viola, Linden flowers

Mid June to Mid July: plantain leaves, chickweed, catnip leaves, nettles, marigold, bergamot flowers and leaves, rosebuds and flowers, raspberry leaves, blackberry leaves, mullein flowers, leaves, comfrey leaves, yarrow, arnica flowers,

Mid July to mid August: all culinary herbs (sage, parsley, thyme, oregano, basil etc.) chamomile, calendula flowers, mint, lemon balm, lemon verbena, linden nuts, lavender, juniper berries, St John’s wort flowers, goldenrod

Mid August until Frost: goldenrod, lavender, cornsilk, juniper berries, calendula flowers, hawthorn berries, all culinary herbs, borage flowers and leaves, mullein flowers and leaves, comfrey leaves, roots like valerian, licorice, echinacea, alum, burdock, chicory

After frost: rosehips, juniper berries, hawthorn berries