Saving Summer's Flowers

Looking for a way to preserve the beauty of your garden? Georgia Raimondi, author of The Passionate Gardener, shared some tips to keep flowers looking fresh all year on The Saturday Early Show.

Pick and gather the flowers you plan to dry in the late morning after the sun has evaporated the dew. Drying times for all methods vary with the quantity and the thickness of the flowers.

Hang Dryingcolor>

Flowers with long stems are the most suitable for hang drying. Remove the leaves and bunch six or seven stems together and tie them with a rubber band. Suspend the bunch upside down with a piece of twine in a warm, dry, dark place like a basement or attic. As the stems shrink in the drying process, the elastic rubber band will continue to hold them together.

Drying time: two to three weeks

Air Dryingcolor>

This process requires a flat surface through which air can circulate, such as an old window screen supported on bricks or a raised metal rack. Place the loose petals or flower heads in a single layer on the drying surface with the heads up. Be sure not to let the flowers overlap. Move the flowers daily to promote air circulation.

Drying time: two to 10 days

Water Dryingcolor>

This method is slow and requires a little work but you get to enjoy the flowers as they dry. Simply put a bouquet in a container, one quarter full of water. Place the container in warm place out of the sun. As the water evaporates, the flowers will dry out.

Drying time: three to four weeks

Drying with Desiccantscolor>

Desiccants work by pulling the moisture out quickly, allowing flowers to retain their color and shape. Desiccants include borax, cornmeal, cat litter, sand and silica gel pellets. Silica gel is the most effective and is available at craft stores.

Use an airtight container large enough to hold the flower you wish to dry. Place a one-inch layer of desiccant in the bottom of the container. If using silica gel, follow the safety warnings provided by the manufacturer and keep it out of the reach of children.

Cut off all but one inch of the stem. Place double-petaled flowers, such as roses, face up while flat petal flowers, like daisies, should rest face down in the desiccant. Using a spoon or a scoop, gently sprinkle the desiccant over the flowers until they are completely covered, making sure to get in between the petals and seal the container. When the flowers feel crisp to the touch, remove the gently with a slotted spoon and use a soft brush to remove any powdery residue.

Drying time: two to seven days