Herb Harvest Calendar
See when to pick each herb, and which part to take, for the best quality.
This tool was built by Serge, MSc., a plant biologist and environmental scientist with a BSc in Plant Biology and an MSc in Environmental Biology and Biogeochemistry. My academic background covers plant biochemistry and how a plant's active compounds shift with its growth stage. These tools are for educational purposes and give practical guidance, not professional advice.
The amount of aromatic oil and other active compounds in a herb changes through the season and even through the day. Picking at the right growth stage, and taking the right part of the plant, gives you the strongest, best-flavoured harvest. Choose a herb below for its general harvest timing, the part to use, and how to dry it.
Please choose a herb.
How this works
The guidance follows a simple rule from plant biology. Leafy herbs grown for their aromatic oils are usually strongest just before the plant flowers, when oil content in the leaves peaks. Flowers are picked as they fully open. Roots are dug when the plant has stored the most reserves, in autumn or early spring while the top growth is dormant. The tool gives the general window for each; your exact timing shifts with your local climate.
Understanding your result
For leafy herbs, harvest in the morning after the dew dries but before the midday heat, when aromatic oils are highest. Cut above a leaf pair so the plant regrows. Dry herbs out of direct sun in a warm, airy place, and store them in a sealed jar away from light. Well-dried herbs keep most of their aroma for about a year.
Important note
Only harvest plants you have identified with confidence, ideally by their Latin name, since some useful herbs have poisonous look-alikes. This tool covers growing and drying for quality, not medicinal dosing. If you intend to use a herb for a health purpose, check suitability with a qualified professional first.
Scientific basis
- Oregon State University Extension, harvesting and drying herbs: extension.oregonstate.edu
- Penn State Extension, growing and harvesting herbs: extension.psu.edu
Disclaimer: This calendar gives general educational guidance on harvest timing and drying only, not medical advice.