It’s been a while since I planted seeds for my herbs and weather here has been pretty wet and cool for much of the growing season but finally I’m able to step out the door and cut fresh herbs to season with.

A friend gave me these herb scissors and the multi blades are very nice and the cleaning brush is helpful as well.

Fresh dried herbs are also so much better that ones purchased at the store. I use my dehydrator any time I have more herbs than I can use fresh. I usually like having an uncluttered counter but I keep my dehydrator out because it is so convenient even for a small amount.

Simply put herbs in dehydrator and dry. Times are variable depending on the amounts and types of herbs. I will allow about 30 minutes for this batch of parsley.

I strip the stems off and store in glass jars. The fresh aroma will be a treat every time the jar is opened!

Cayenne peppers are wonderful to dry and use throughout the year. There are a few methods to dry cayenne peppers such as in the oven or dehydrator but I prefer to dry mine naturally indoors. It’s very simple and I like how the peppers look in my kitchen.

I had previously used a string and threaded the peppers to dry but then decided this method of baker’s twine and tiny clothespins works much better. The peppers can be switched as they dry with fresh peppers.

It’s important to place the peppers in a sunny spot and make sure there is enough air between them. Watch for any spoilage but unless the air is extremely humid it will not be a problem.

When the peppers are dry and brittle chop with a food processor, blender or any type of mill that gets the desired result. I prefer to keep mine coarse so I use a small food chopper.

Store in glass containers. These will have much more flavor and be hotter than red pepper flakes purchased in a store so keep that in mind the first few times they are used.

Red roses are so beautiful! Often viewed as the flower of romance, red roses are a favorite of many people. They add beauty and fragrance in your cut arrangements and to your gardens.

My husband planted this “Red Rose Garden” a few years ago. He planted Mister Lincoln roses in the center with a row of Chrysler Imperial roses down each side.

The Mister Lincoln roses are one of the most well known red roses and are often ranked as one of the top Red Hybrid Tea Roses.

Both the Chrysler Imperial and the Mister Lincoln roses are very fragrant! When the roses are blooming, this garden has a rich rose fragrance that we can smell throughout the yard. Both of these roses have a beautiful deep red velvety texture.

Love to see roses after a gentle summer rain!

When in full bloom, the deep red color is amazing. The Mister Lincoln often reach about 4 inches across.

Red Double Knock Out Roses are very easy to grow! We have a row of these along the front of our home. They add such a pop of color.

The Knock Out roses do best in full sun. The directions state that you don’t have to deadhead them, but I remove the spent blossoms about every two weeks to encourage new blooms and to maintain the shape of the plant.

This is the time to start planning what you want your gardens to look like next spring. Have fun planning and planting. You might want to add Mister Lincoln, Chrysler Imperial or Red Double Knock Out roses to your space to add a deep red color and a wonderful fragrance.

Enjoy!