Seasonal Harvesting Cycles

Spring Harvesting SPRING

Spring is the season of new growth, perfect for harvesting tender leaves, early flowers, and fresh shoots.

  • Nettle Leaves: Harvest young shoots before flowering for maximum nutrition
  • Dandelion Greens: Collect tender leaves before flowers appear
  • Chickweed: Gather fresh growth throughout spring
  • Violet Flowers: Pick flowers when fully open
  • Birch Sap: Collect in early spring before leaves emerge
  • Wild Garlic: Harvest leaves and flowers before they go to seed

Summer Harvesting SUMMER

Summer brings peak flowering and essential oil production, ideal for harvesting flowers and aromatic herbs.

  • Lavender: Harvest flower spikes when buds are just opening
  • Chamomile: Pick flowers in full bloom on sunny days
  • St. John's Wort: Collect flowering tops when yellow flowers are open
  • Calendula: Harvest flowers throughout summer
  • Peppermint: Cut stems before flowering for best flavor
  • Elderflower: Pick flower clusters when fully open

Autumn Harvesting AUTUMN

Autumn is the time for roots, seeds, and berries as plants store energy for winter.

  • Dandelion Root: Dig roots after first frost for maximum bitterness
  • Burdock Root: Harvest first-year roots in late autumn
  • Elderberry: Pick ripe berries when deep purple-black
  • Hawthorn Berries: Collect after first frost for sweetness
  • Rose Hips: Harvest after first frost for vitamin C content
  • Nettle Seeds: Collect mature seeds for nutrition

Winter Harvesting WINTER

Winter offers evergreen herbs, stored roots, and bark harvesting opportunities.

  • Pine Needles: Collect fresh needles for vitamin C
  • Juniper Berries: Harvest ripe berries throughout winter
  • Birch Bark: Collect bark in winter when sap is low
  • Stored Roots: Dig roots from stored plants
  • Evergreen Herbs: Rosemary, thyme, sage available year-round
  • Mushrooms: Some medicinal mushrooms available in winter

Optimal Harvesting Times by Plant Part

Leaves & Aerial Parts OPTIMAL

  • Morning Harvest: After dew dries, before heat of day
  • Pre-Flowering: Maximum essential oil content
  • Dry Weather: Avoid harvesting after rain
  • Young Growth: Tender leaves have highest potency
  • Moon Phase: Waxing moon for above-ground parts

Flowers OPTIMAL

  • Full Bloom: Harvest when flowers are fully open
  • Mid-Morning: After dew dries, before heat
  • Sunny Days: Maximum essential oil production
  • Fresh Flowers: Avoid wilted or damaged blooms
  • Gentle Handling: Preserve delicate flower structure

Roots & Rhizomes GOOD

  • Dormant Season: Autumn after first frost or early spring
  • Waning Moon: Traditional timing for underground parts
  • Dry Soil: Easier to dig and clean
  • Mature Plants: 2-3 year old plants for best potency
  • After Rain: Soil is softer for digging

Seeds & Berries GOOD

  • Full Ripeness: Seeds should be mature and dry
  • Before Dispersal: Harvest before seeds scatter
  • Dry Weather: Avoid harvesting wet seeds
  • Morning Collection: After dew dries
  • Gentle Handling: Preserve seed integrity

Sustainable Harvesting Practices

Ethical Wildcrafting Guidelines

  • Leave No Trace: Minimize impact on the environment
  • Never Over-Harvest: Take only 10-20% of available plants
  • Respect Endangered Species: Never harvest protected plants
  • Spread Seeds: Help propagate plants for future generations
  • Rotate Harvesting Areas: Allow areas to recover
  • Proper Identification: 100% certainty before harvesting
  • Permission Required: Get permits for public lands

Cultivation vs. Wildcrafting

Benefits of Cultivation:

  • Controlled growing conditions
  • Consistent quality and availability
  • No impact on wild populations
  • Easier to harvest and process
  • Can grow rare or endangered species

Benefits of Wildcrafting:

  • Natural growing conditions
  • Higher genetic diversity
  • Connection to wild places
  • Traditional knowledge preservation
  • Cost-effective for personal use

Moon Phases & Traditional Timing

Lunar Harvesting Calendar

  • Waxing Moon (New to Full): Harvest above-ground parts (leaves, flowers)
  • Full Moon: Peak potency for flowers and aerial parts
  • Waning Moon (Full to New): Harvest underground parts (roots, rhizomes)
  • New Moon: Best time for root harvesting
  • First Quarter: Good for leaf harvesting
  • Last Quarter: Ideal for bark and root harvesting

Post-Harvest Processing & Preservation

Drying Methods

  • Air Drying: Hang in well-ventilated, dark area
  • Dehydrator: Low temperature (95-115°F) for 6-12 hours
  • Oven Drying: Low temperature with door cracked
  • Sun Drying: Only for certain herbs, avoid UV damage
  • Testing Dryness: Stems should snap, leaves crumble

Storage Guidelines

  • Dark Glass Jars: Protect from light and moisture
  • Cool, Dry Location: 60-70°F, 60% humidity or less
  • Label Everything: Include date, location, and plant name
  • Regular Inspection: Check for mold or pests
  • Shelf Life: Most herbs 1-2 years when properly stored
  • Freezing: Option for fresh herbs (blanch first)
⚠️ Important Harvesting Considerations

Always prioritize safety and sustainability when harvesting herbs:

  • Proper identification is essential - when in doubt, don't harvest
  • Respect private property and obtain necessary permits
  • Avoid harvesting near roads, industrial areas, or sprayed fields
  • Consider the plant's life cycle and reproductive needs
  • Harvest only what you can properly process and use
  • Learn from experienced wildcrafters and herbalists
  • Document your harvesting practices and locations