How to Dry Flowers from Your Garden

Try to pick your flowers according to color and condition. It is best to have fewer perfect blooms than many with missing or split petals. Do not spend much time worrying about the leaves as the flowers are the absolute star of the show. Symmetry and color are the most important. Green floral tape will cover any problems with the stem and leaves can be added at any time if you prefer.

Pick the colors of flowers you save by the season. In the spring you will find the blues, yellows and whites are predominate. In the fall you will find the yellows, oranges and reds. Part of the fun is picking the hues that compliment each other and are pleasing to the eye. I love having several different displays that match each season of the year.

Drying flowers at home is easy and fun. The results are basically the same with each method. It is your choice and one is not really better than the other. I prefer hanging and letting my flowers dry but I also have the room to let them hang with no weather disturbing the end result. If you don't have the space, then using the microwave is a great option, it's easy with good results too. My least favorite is burying the flowers in commercial drying material but if you use this method the results are usually stunning. I will explain the three methods is a way that will only give you the easiest way to get you started in this wonderful hobby. Soon you will be giving these wonderful flowers as hostess gifts and special occasion gifts. Have fun and be creative.

1. Purchase silica gel at your local garden center or flower shop and fill a small container. (about the size of a shoebox) or large enough for the flowers you choose.
2. Remove the leaves and bury the flower in the silica gel until covered.
3. Take the flowers gently out of the gel and shake to remove is from the flower.
4. Hint: Dry the gel in a warm oven and it can be used many times.

Air drying is my favorite method.

1. Pick the flowers after the morning dew has dried, usually in later afternoon.
2. Tie the flowers in small bunches using string or cord.
3. Find a dark dry area to hang the bunches for approximately three weeks. The stems will snap easily when they are completely dry.

You really can dry flowers your microwave although sometimes it comes down to trial and error.

1. Lay the flowers in a microwave-safe dish and surround with silica gel. You need the gel to help the flowers keep their shape.
2. Flowers that are larger will need about three minutes and smaller flowers only take around a minute on high. Keep checking the blooms for dryness.
3. Let the flowers cool for overnight and remove from the silica gel shaking to remove the flakes.

There are many ways to display your dried flowers but the most popular was is placing the flowers in a vase. You will need to wedge a piece of florist foam in the bottom of the vase and secure it with some hot glue. Place the tallest flowers in the center and work out to the smallest around the edge. Fill in the spaces with dried Baby's Breath or ferns. Flowers make a lovely centerpiece or entrance way decoration so have fun with them and be creative.