Everybody is aware of that decorative gardens are attractive after they’re in full bloom, however you don’t usually consider how stunning crops will be after their flowers are completed. Studying learn how to dry and protect flowers and seed pods lets you have loads of crafting supplies for the chilly season forward.

On the finish of blooming season, when crops have gone to seed, is likely one of 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 alternative varieties, from the massive sculptural spheres of alliums to tiny, delicate grasses, and they are often dried and preserved to make use of as engaging indoor decor.

As fall begins, I like to exit into the backyard and acquire as many seed heads, pods, stems, leaves, and flowers as I can to dry and show. Generally I make them into crafts, however usually I merely pop a number of seed heads as-is right into a vase or glass jar and—presto!—I’ve an prompt, clever association.

Accumulating flowers, leaves, stems, and pods from the backyard now gives you a treasure trove of lovely dried crops to craft with all yr lengthy. Learn on to discover ways to dry and protect flowers in addition to leaves, stems, and dried seed pods out of your backyard, plus some artistic initiatives you may strive with them. You’ll be pleasantly stunned while you see how a lot magnificence is left behind as soon as the blooms fade.

dried allium seed heads in a Mason jar vase — Dried allium heads remind me of fireworks.

Drying Seed Heads

As with all the pieces I do, I choose probably the most pure doable choice, so after I’m drying seed heads and flowers from the backyard, I keep away from synthetic preservative sprays and glues. When you harvest your crops on the proper time and dry them correctly, they are going to 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 will be picked in mid-fall.

How to dry and preserve flowers — It’s a good suggestion to shake out any seeds in order that they’re not falling in all places inside.

Don’t wait too lengthy, both. You need 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 crops like delicate ornamental grasses, it’s best to select a set of stems after they look their finest within the backyard, then dry them indoors.

How to Dry and Preserve Flowers, Leaves, and Pods for Crafting — Some flower pods and grasses look even higher in bunches.

Good Seed Heads and Pods for Drying

Allium (onion household)

Bean pods

Crocosmia

Ornamental grasses

Eryngium (Sea Holly)

Hemerocallis (Daylily)

Iris

Lagurus (Bunny Tail Grass)

Lunaria (Cash Plant)

Monarda (Bee Balm)

Nigella (Love in a Mist)

Papavar (Poppy)

Physalis franchetti (Chinese language Lantern)

Scabiosa stellata (Paper Moon)

Chive seed heads growing in the garden — Chive seed heads. Most members of the allium household produce attention-grabbing dried pods.

The 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 fully open but. Nearly all flowers will open extra as they dry. It’s also possible to dry flowers which might be open, however they shouldn’t have any indicators of wilt, browning, or age. Flowers which might be already at peak bloom could not dry as properly.

For stalks of flowers, comparable to delphinium or winged eternal, harvest the stems as soon as the primary few flowers are open.

how to hang dry flowers — Hanging flowers the wrong way up ensures the stem stays straight and agency.

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 in the event you dry them in a darkish place and hold them away from home windows to keep away from solar bleaching.

Some flowers, like hydrangeas, maintain color higher in the event you dry them slowly. Learn extra right here on learn how to dry hydrangea blooms to retain their color.

hydrangea drying in water — Hydrangeas should be clipped when already starting to dry on the shrub, then positioned in water.

Good Flowers for Dangle 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 guide underneath weights. Phone books are preferrred (in the event you nonetheless have these!) because the paper in them is absorbent and offers numerous area to dry the flowers.

If you wish to defend the pages of the guide, slip some printer paper or watercolour paper (it’s further absorbent) on prime and beneath the flower.

I’ve tried plant presses, however store-bought ones solely maintain a small quantity, so in the event you like, you may make your personal larger one utilizing this tutorial. As you may think about, you may press many specimens within the pages of a telephone guide.

handmade wooden flower and leaf press — Keep away from urgent thick, juicy flowers and foliage as it’s extra more likely to mould than to press nicely.

Good Foliage for Urgent

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Daucus carota (Queen Anne’s Lace)

Eucalyptus

Ferns

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia Creeper)

Rosemary

Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow)

Salvia (Purple Sage)

Vitis vinifera (Widespread Grape)

Wild and ornamental grasses

Crafting With Flowers and Dried Seed Pods

I’m certain you may consider many crafts to make with these pretty crops. Listed below are a number of of my favorite makes use of!

To make photos like this one:

To make playing cards for the winter holidays or for a lot of different makes use of, comparable to thank-you notes, birthdays, and for craft festivals or presents. This one is from my guide Backyard Made.

Greeting card with pressed leaves from the book Garden Made — This card options ginkgo leaves.

To make natural tea sachets or scented sachets from herbs and candy scented flowers to tuck into drawers and cabinets.

How to make Natural Laundry Fresheners with Lavender Dryer Bags — Lavender buds are my favorite for offering a floral scent.

To make wreaths that final all yr lengthy, like this lavender wreath or this hydrangea wreath.

Making a lavender wreath — This recent lavender is simple to work with after which dries fantastically.

Protect pressed flowers in every kind of resin moulds, comparable to these coasters.

Pressed flowers and foliage additionally work splendidly in candles when pressed towards the aspect. They’re a secure solution to embody 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 presents 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!