Tina,
We have been using the bags too. We never tried the slits but the last
bit of basil we tried some of it got moldy. Perhaps the slits are the
answer or we had them too packed or in an area with not enough circulation.
My wife just did 4 trays of herbs (quite a bit) in the truck the other
day, its so fast it makes it easy.

Thanks for the tip on the slits...

Mark

Tina Gibson wrote:
What a great idea!
I use paper bags. Pick off all the leaves, fill the bag 1/4 full flatten to
distribute evenly in bag and put them in a dry place standing up - this way
you can store more like books. You can cut small slits in sides of bags for
air circulation. I do this with all my herbs now and it takes a while
depending on the humidity and temp and I like it better than drying and
hanging I used to do. Less messy to pick off the fresh leaves than dried.
I think next yr I'll try the car idea.


"Mark & Shauna" wrote in message ...

Pluck the leaves from the plant and put them (lots) in trays you get
from the nursurey to hold your six packs, do this on day when its sunny
and you are not going anywhere. Place the trays in your car with the
windows rolled up in the sun. In a few hours you have completely dry
basil. We do this as we live off grid and dehydrators and freezers are
power hogs (though we have freezer). We use a lot of dried basil in the
winters and this way, although its not fresh, your basil doesnt cost you
anything.

The basil smell in the car doesnt hang around long in the event it
bothers you.

Mark

Allan Matthews wrote:

When I planted my new raised garden July 15, I bought a left over
withered basil plant and stuck it in. Now it is 2 feet in diameter, 2
feet tall and dense with leaves. How is the best way to dry
this?Thanks