Harvesting woodruff »This is the best way to proceed

Find woodruff for the harvest

As a wild plant, the woodruff is not widespread in all regions of Central Europe. However, it is most likely to be discovered in shady places in light and not too dry forests. Here he forms due to the Self-sowing the seeds and the Propagation via root runners on his Location mostly extensive carpets that reach a maximum height of 30 centimeters. Its characteristic leaves, which are arranged around the stem in a lance-like manner in layers, make it relatively difficult to confuse it with other plants. Woodruff is particularly easy to find from April and May, not only because of its sweet fragrance, when the The woodruff's heyday begins. the blossoms are shaped like small white crosses and are said to have served as a model for the appearance of the Swiss flag.

Grow woodruff yourself

If you cannot find a woodruff in the woods around you, you can find one yourself relatively easily

plant. You can do this with a shady one Location under trees or bushes in the garden use, or the woodruff in a shady place directly in the pot plant. Since it is a frost germ, the woodruff's sowing time ranges from around September to December. However, a larger harvest should only be obtained from the young plants in the second year, as the cut in the first year inhibits the plants in their development and growth.

The perfect time to harvest woodruff

In principle, woodruff can be harvested from spring to autumn and preserved will. However, there is definitely a reason why the plant, which is also used for the typical May punch, focuses on the Heyday is cut in the spring. With the blossom namely, the value of the coumarin contained in the woodruff rises sharply and with it the risk of a Overdose, which can lead to malaise, headaches and, if taken regularly, even liver damage could. Therefore, it is better to choose the time for harvesting from the beginning to mid-April or, in cool locations, until mid-May.

Making the woodruff durable

The woodruff can either go through Drying or freezing can be made durable. Various methods of drying can be selected:

• hanging tied bouquets in an airy place
• drying in a dehydrator
• drying at low temperature in a slightly open oven

To freeze, either bound bouquets or chopped leaves can be placed in the freezer compartment in portions.

Tips & Tricks

Let the fresh woodruff wither for a few hours after the harvest or freeze briefly before using it for may punch or other recipes. By splitting the coumarin, the taste will then emerge even more intensely.

WK