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Drying Flowers from Your Garden |
By Megan Gross, horticulturist, Colorado State University
Begin by picking flowers at their peak bloom, but include some unopened buds to add interest to your arrangements. Cut at midday when the flowers are dry but not wilted from the hot afternoon sun.
If you can't start the drying process right away, store your flowers in a vase of cool water in a dark room. Flowers will take two to three weeks to dry, but the faster they dry, the more color they will retain.
Gather flowers into bunches of eight to ten stems and secure with a rubber band. Attach to a clothes hanger with the blossoms pointed down.
Avoid moisture during and after the drying process. To store dried flowers, line a cardboard box with tissue paper and separate the layers with more tissue paper. Use in dried flower arrangements and in making wreaths and other craft items.
Photograph courtesy of Judy Sedbrook.
