Now Forage

Bay laurel: Pick leaves year-round; fresh or dried. Mature, dark green leaves have more essential oils than young pale ones. Dry in bunches for full flavour. Black berries in autumn are not edible.

Lavender: Harvest flower spikes when about half the flowers on the spike have opened — maximum oil content. Cut stems long, in the morning. Dry in small bunches upside down in a warm, airy space. Use in baking, tea, and herbal remedies.

Rosemary: Evergreen herb — harvest sprigs year-round. Young, bright green shoot tips have the most flavour. Harvest in the morning after dew dries. Flowers (blue-purple) appear spring through early summer and are edible as a garnish.