Techniques for Drying Sweet Grass
Sweet grass grows well in northern climates where the winters get cold. The grass grows both tall and short stems with the short ones producing a wispy flower from June to August. The long stems are about 3 feet long with blades growing 9 inches then cascading back to the ground. Sweet grass has a sweet, vanilla-like scent mixed with new-mown hay. Dried grass is used in purification ceremonies like Native American smudging. Does this Spark an idea?
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Harvest
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Before drying, it is essential to harvest the grass in the proper manner. Harvest blades in late summer after the dew dries and before the noon hour. The blades grow inside a sheath at the base of the plant. Pull long blades out of the sheath to ensure no damage to the roots and will grow again the next year. Use scissors for another harvest method, and cut the blades just above the sheath or 3 inches from the ground. Harvest only when there are a few days of dry weather in the forecast.
Sun Dry Method
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Keep cut ends together facing in one direction. Lay a 1-inch layer of blades out on newspaper placed in a sunny area. Turn blades every 30 to 60 minutes. Once they start to curl and the tips start to dry, move them into a shady area. Sweet grass dried totally in the sun loses fragrance. The leaves will be tan when they are dry.
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Freeze Dry Method
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When harvesting, place grass with the cut end down in a brown paper grocery bag. Pack the bag full and put it in the freezer. The next morning, spread the blades in a thin layer on a screen or on newspapers and place it in the sun for two hours. The blades should start to curl. Put it back in the bag and in the freezer for two hours. Return it to the sunny area on top of newspaper, but put another single layer of paper over top and weigh it down with stones. Leave it for two or three more hours. If it is not dry by then, bundle it and put it back in the freezer for the night. Start over again the next day. The blades do not turn tan with this method. Instead they stay fragrant and green.
Braid Method
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Braiding sweet grass makes it more compact and easy to store. Native Americans believed braiding would ensure strength of each blade representing mind, body and spirit. Use fresh, partially dry blades or place totally dried grass in warm water for about two minutes before starting. Gather a bunch of grass that is about the same size as when forming the thumb and index finger in a circle. Tie one end with another blade of grass or use thread or twine. The bunch is divided into three equal parts from the loose end and braided just like hair is braided. Once finished, tie the loose end. It helps to have someone hold the tied end taunt while braiding. Wait until braid is dry before wrapping it in newspaper and putting in a reclosable plastic bag.
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