DIY Herb Drying Rack
Fresh herbs enhance all kinds of dishes, but dried herbs are just as versatile and stay fresh longer. Preserve your harvest by hanging bundles in the traditional method on this attractive DIY drying rack. It’ll make a fragrant addition to your space and dry herbs to use for months to come.
A few tips for drying herbs: Harvest your cuttings in the morning for best results. Tie a bundle of stems together at the base and hang them upside down on the drying rack. Keep them in a dark, dry location until they are ready (usually in about one to two weeks). Store dried herbs in airtight containers in a cool place. When you’re ready to use one of your dried herbs, grind them up to release their flavor.
- Working Time 45 Minutes
- Start to Finish 3 Hours
- Difficulty Projects Easy
What you need
Tools
- Needle-nose pliers
- Gloves
- Paintbrush
Materials
- 5” and 9” wood or bamboo crochet hoop sets
- Spray paint
- Sandpaper
- Decorative black chain with links big enough to thread hoops through, 10 meters long
- Picture hangers
- Metal ring
- Plant hanging hook
How to do it
Step 1 Prep Hoops
Separate both sets of embroidery hoops. Sand gently to prep for painting. Spray-paint hoops in a color of your choice and let dry fully. Refer to your spray paint manufacturer’s instructions for drying times. Always spray paint outside or in a well-ventilated area. Let hoops dry.
Step 2 Attach Hoops to Chain
Make three equal lengths of chain (ours is 36-inches long) by opening links with the pliers. Thread the three pieces of chain through the 9-inch embroidery hoop all the way to the ends. Add inner hoop and tighten. Count up 12 links and thread the outer 12-inch embroidery hoop through the each of the three pieces of chain. Add inner hoop and tighten.
Step 3 Hang Herb Rack
Gather the loose ends of your three chains and hook them together at the top with a metal ring. Then, hang your rack from a ceiling or wall-mounted plant hook. A warm, dry spot is best for your herbs to properly dehydrate.
Step 4 Add Picture Hangers and Herbs
Hook picture hangers around each hoop. These will serve as an easy way to hang your bundles of herbs. Space them out evenly to give each bundle plenty of room to breathe. Add desired herbs to your drying rack, and you’re all set!
