What to Harvest and When (general)

A good herbalist/harvester is sure to keep in mind the time of year and day each plant and part of the plant is harvested, in order to benefit from its full vitality.

Roots: -Roots of biennial plants should be dug the fall of the first year or in very early spring of the second year. -Perennial plant roots should be dug late in the fall or very early spring after the upper third of the plant has died back and the sap has returned underground. In general, perennial plants should -  not be harvested until 2-3 years of growth, and in some cases up to seven years. -Annual plants are best dug immediately before flowering. (Although, most annual plants are not used eating, medicine or for utilitarian purposes)

-Fleshy/succulent roots should be cut previous to drying to expose a larger surface area ( Traversal cuts before drying makes it easier if being ground to powder) -Hard/woody roots should be cut very small, because they become very hard when dry. -Small/fibrous roots are best left whole.

Stems: -Generally, stems of herbaceous plants should be gathered after leaves appear, prior to flowering.
 * unless leaves are being harvested with flower

Bark: -Whenever possible take bark from small or pruned branches. -Harvest in the fall or spring. -Never strip bark completely around the girth of the tree. -Incisions should be limited to 1/4 or less of the limbs circumference. -Inner bark is generally what is used for medicine.

Leaves: -Most leaves should be harvested when fully developed before flower emerges. -Harvest leaves after morning dew is gone and before the most intense heat of the day (leaves should look perky). If not, harvest later in the evening. -Leaves of biennial plants should be picked in spring of second year (mullein) -Plants in mint family are more aromatic on the top part of plant, closer to the flower.
 * Plants high in essential oils (rosemary, peppermint, calendula) should be picked in morning after dew dries, during the hottest part of the year.

Flowers: -Should generally be gathered just before they are fully developed (scent is more lively at this stage and colors more vivid). -Harvest on clear, dry mornings after dew is dissipated.

Saps and Pitches: -Harvest in late winter and early spring. -Usually flowing from recent wound or have dried on the plant after seeping from past wound. (So you should probably give the tree a hug)

Seeds: -Least perishable part of the plant, should be collected when perfectly ripe.

Herb (refers to whole plant): -Should generally be harvested as a whole when it is freshly in flower. -If flower is not to be included, harvest before the plant has flowered.