Everybody is aware of that decorative gardens are attractive once they’re in full bloom, however you don’t usually consider how stunning vegetation could be after their flowers are completed. Studying tips on how to dry and protect flowers and seed pods means that you can have loads of crafting supplies for the chilly season forward.
On the finish of blooming season, when vegetation have gone to seed, is among the loveliest instances. It’s this time of yr when pure sculptures take form within the backyard within the type of seed heads, pods, and extra. Seed heads are available in so many various varieties, from the massive sculptural spheres of alliums to tiny, delicate grasses, and they are often dried and preserved to make use of as enticing indoor decor.
As fall begins, I like to exit into the backyard and gather as many seed heads, pods, stems, leaves, and flowers as I can to dry and show. Generally I make them into crafts, however typically I merely pop a couple of seed heads as-is right into a vase or glass jar and—presto!—I’ve an on the spot, suave association.
Gathering flowers, leaves, stems, and pods from the backyard now will provide you with a treasure trove of gorgeous dried vegetation to craft with all yr lengthy. Learn on to learn to dry and protect flowers in addition to leaves, stems, and dried seed pods out of your backyard, plus some inventive tasks you’ll be able to attempt with them. You’ll be pleasantly shocked if you see how a lot magnificence is left behind as soon as the blooms fade.
Drying Seed Heads
As with all the things I do, I choose probably the most pure attainable possibility, so once I’m drying seed heads and flowers from the backyard, I keep away from synthetic preservative sprays and glues. Should you harvest your vegetation on the proper time and dry them correctly, they may nonetheless final a very long time and look stunning, no chemical compounds or pungent adhesives wanted!
The flowers depart behind attention-grabbing seed pods and dried stalks, that are great for crafts and dried preparations. Don’t be too hasty with the pruners, as many species simply dry within the backyard and could be picked in mid-fall.
Don’t wait too lengthy, both. You wish to harvest seed heads as soon as they’ve dried on their very own, however earlier than they start to decompose or get mushy.
For extra fragile vegetation like delicate ornamental grasses, it’s best to decide a group of stems once they look their finest within the backyard, then dry them indoors.
Good Seed Heads and Pods for Drying
The best way to Dry and Protect Flowers
Harvest flowers within the morning for finest outcomes, as that is when the plant is most hydrated.
Select flowers that aren’t completely open but. Virtually all flowers will open extra as they dry. You too can dry flowers which are open, however they shouldn’t have any indicators of wilt, browning, or age. Flowers which are already at peak bloom could not dry as properly.
For stalks of flowers, similar to delphinium or winged eternal, harvest the stems as soon as the primary few flowers are open.
Dry flowers by first eradicating the foliage after which grouping them into bunches and hanging them the wrong way up within the open air, away from the rain or indoors. Some flowers maintain their color higher if you happen to dry them in a darkish place and maintain them away from home windows to keep away from solar bleaching.
Some flowers, like hydrangeas, maintain color higher if you happen to dry them slowly. Learn extra right here on tips on how to dry hydrangea blooms to retain their color.
Good Flowers for Grasp Drying
Urgent Leaves and Petals
To protect tender leaves and vibrant petals, harvest them at their peak of color and place them on the pages of a thick ebook below weights. Phone books are preferrred (if you happen to nonetheless have these!) because the paper in them is absorbent and gives a number of area to dry the flowers.
If you wish to shield the pages of the ebook, slip some printer paper or watercolour paper (it’s further absorbent) on high and under the flower.
I’ve tried plant presses, however store-bought ones solely maintain a small quantity, so if you happen to like, you can also make your personal greater one utilizing this tutorial. As you’ll be able to think about, you’ll be able to press many specimens within the pages of a cellphone ebook.
Good Foliage for Urgent
Crafting With Flowers and Dried Seed Pods
I’m certain you’ll be able to consider many crafts to make with these beautiful vegetation. Listed below are a couple of of my favorite makes use of!
To make footage like this one:
To make playing cards for the winter holidays or for a lot of different makes use of, similar to thank-you notes, birthdays, and for craft festivals or items. This one is from my ebook Backyard Made.
To make natural tea sachets or scented sachets from herbs and candy scented flowers to tuck into drawers and cabinets.
To make wreaths that final all yr lengthy, like this lavender wreath or this hydrangea wreath.
Protect pressed flowers in every kind of resin moulds, similar to these coasters.
Pressed flowers and foliage additionally work splendidly in candles when pressed towards the aspect. They’re a secure approach to embrace dried flowers in candles.
And to make bouquets from dried flowers for winter use. They’ve the great high quality of not requiring watering once we head out for hotter climes within the winter. My mom taught me the trick to purchase stunning pottery vases and make long-lasting floral items for autumn and winter events.
Now go seize some clippers and head out to the backyard for a treasure hunt. Within the colder winter months, when the backyard has been put to mattress, you may be glad that you simply did!
