Question
when you harvest basil or thyme, do you start at the bottom of the plant or the top?  Do you pick the leaves only and leave the teensy little stem? Is it okay to let them dry out in the microwave?  I don't know what I'm doing, obviously.  Thank you.

Answer
Marjorie:
Pic your leaves from the top new growth by 1/3. Take stem with it, for thyme. You may dry it in the microwave or oven with the pilot light. The basil start with rhe top to the side growth with leaves only, but cut the stem by 1/3 also. Basil doesn't do well drying in the microwave nless it is watched and turn constantly. You may freeze it in ice cube trays with water. By itself it will turn black. Go to Google.com and type in drying herbs for more info.

www.askthisherbman.com

Leroy