To enjoy the living color of the garden in your home all winter, try your hand at drying flowers.
Select flowers after dew has evaporated and before they have fully opened. Keep them protected from direct sunlight to preserve color.
Air Drying Method: Strip leaves from stems and tie together in bunches of less than a dozen. Hang upside down in a dark, airy spot that stays fairly warm. Drying times can vary from three to six weeks. Roses, marigolds, zinnias, and herbs such as sage and thyme air dry satisfactorily.
Silica Gel Method: Craft stores and garden centers usually carry these water absorbent crystals. Fill air-tight container half full of silica gel, then set fleshy flowers, with foliage stripped off, gently into the crystals. Trickle gel carefully over the petals, until they are covered and the crystals have settled between the petals. Tightly close container. The flower should be ready in about a week depending on the type of flower. The crystals can be reused.
Micro waving Method: Technology allows a faster method. Place flower in glass half-filled with silica gel, then gently cover with additional gel crystals. A cup of water should be placed in the microwave alongside the flower glass. Full power for one minute will work for most flowers, but some experimentation will be necessary. Allow to cool before pouring gel out and removing flowers.
Frieda Parker, Smith County Master Gardener
It is September, and you have enjoyed those beautiful blossoms that you have worked so hard to produce in your yard. Why not save some of them for enjoyment all year long? You can dry them by hanging or by microwaving. You should use blossoms that are just about to reach their prime and collect them at mid-day after morning dew has evaporated. To hang-dry: place the flowers in bunches, tie with twine, and hang upside down in a dark, dry place. Small flowers may be placed on a wire screen about six inches above the floor. They will be dried and ready to use in two to three weeks. To microwave dry: place the flowers on a paper towel and heat on low for one to three minutes.
Laura Aragon, Smith County Master Gardener
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