Happy Summer Solstice! Where is the year going?! At this time of year, we flower growers are VERY busy with planting out, harvesting flowers, making plans for sowing biennials and also, collecting flowers for drying. If you haven't had a go at this before with flowers from your own garden, I highly reccommend you give it a try. It is SO easy to do and gives fantastic results and trust me, in those winter months when there's not a lot else around, you will be thank yourself for preserving a piece of summer.
At the moment, it is peak time to harvest one of my favourite flowers for drying - Lavender. There is a little bit of a trick to it, you don't want to leave it until the flowers have opened, as the flowers will just drop off! So when should you pick? The best time is just before the flowers are about to open, when the stems have grown nice and sturdy and the buds are well formed.
When cutting your Lavender, make sure you cut into a green stem - do not cut into the woody part as it may not grow back!
Tie your Lavender into bunches and hang upside down, somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight. Once dry, your Lavender can be taken down and stored somewhere dry until you are ready to use it.
Other things I am currently drying:
Briza Maxima
Make sure you harvest before the seed heads have fully ripened, as once they have got to that stage, they will drop their heads very easily.
Nigella seed pods
Again, for best results, harvest when the pods are fully formed but still green.
Spent roses
Instead of chucking your deadheads onto the compost heap, spread out the petals on a tray and leave to dry for a few days to make your own rose petal confetti.
It is possible to dry all sorts of things in this way - try things out and see what works best for you! Tag us on Instagram @gouldberryflowers if you do!
Lucy
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