DIY: Herb Drying Rack

Drying chamomile and lavender
(garlic bulbs are in the onion bag).

Don't throw out those old garden tools! They can always have a new use. For instance, the heads of old garden rakes, forks, and spades make great hanging hooks for other things. I use one of my old rake-heads as an herb rack.

Just saw off what is left of the end of the handle (the wood on mine had rotted and shattered). Then hang the rake-head up and bundle and dry your herbs.

If you don't happen have an old rake-head, there are lots of other herb rack projects. You can take an old board or branch then tack in a row of nails for the hangers. If you want to get fancy, replace the nails with drawer pulls or cabinet knobs. 

I also use old brass curtain rings - the kind with a clip on one end - threaded on a string and then you clip on the herb bundles.

Old chandeliers and pot racks are also great for herb drying. You can buy S-hooks at the hardware store or create your own from wire hangers.

Laundry drying racks are a natural for this use as well. I like to lay an old window screen across the  rack levels to place beans, okra, cotton, and other things small I'm drying for seed.

Finally, any unused coat hook or coat rack can be re-purposed for herb drying duty. It can be just that simple! Once you start looking for herb hanging ideas, the possibilities are endless!

Make sure your herb drying rack is in a well-ventilated area away from small children and pets (who cannot resist playing with the crinkly, rustling dried leaves) and you'll soon be harvesting dried herbs to use all year-round.

This is a monthly blog series on DIY projects for the beginning home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com.