In the Garden

  By Sheri Ann Richerson
An Herbal Holiday Celebration

With the end of summer drawing near, our minds are beginning to go to the holidays that will be upon us in a few short months. For a gardener, it’s time to call it quits for this year’s garden. However, it is fairly easy to save the bounty to enjoy throughout the holidays or even to give as gifts.

Preserving herbs and dried flowers is easy. The most important part is to make sure you pick them at the correct time. For herbs, this would mean before they begin to flower. For dried flowers, I find that the best time to pick them is when they are just coming out of the bud stage. This ensures that they will not open too far during the drying process.
I usually put the dried flowers in a container of silica gel and then seal that. The flowers are then left to dry anywhere from three to seven days depending on the size of the flower and the ease at which it dries. I do not opt for the microwave method just because I feel it is easier to just put them in the container, seal it and then set them aside until I am ready to use them.

For herbs, I either use my dehydrator if I’m in a rush or my favorite method it to simply hang them to dry. Should you decide to hang the herbs to dry be sure that air can freely circulate around and between the stems and leaves or they will mold.
Once your herbs and flowers are dry you can begin to make potpourri or even holiday ornaments with them. Wreaths are an easy project as is potpourri. With either of these two items you can also complete your project while the herbs and flowers are still fresh and then allow them to dry. The choice of course depends on the end results you desire.

I think making wreaths is easier with fresh materials. You certainly don’t have to worry about breaking them. However, if you are making tiny wreath for a Christmas tree it may be easier to work with dried materials.

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Potpourri can be made using either fresh or dried materials. However, if you want a potpourri that is pretty and can be displayed I would suggest that you use dry materials and a fragrance or essential oil. Potpourri made when the herbs and flowers are still fresh is good to use in a sealed container. It has also been said that potpourri made this way will retain its scent for years.

Decorating candles and other holiday arrangements with dried herbs and flowers can make it seem much more festive, not to mention the great scent that will be released throughout your home.

Which brings me to my next point. Why not use some of those fresh herbs for aromatherapy? You can you know. Many books explain how to get herbs to release their essential oils into various oils or alcohols. You can also make an aromatherapy inspired potpourri or use specific herbs to create the mood you want. For example, let’s say you would like everyone who visits your home to feel cheerful, refreshed and uplifted. Use lots of lime scented materials. There is lime mint, fresh cut lime slices and add in a few drops of a lime essential oil. Toss in a few pink or red flowers with maybe a dash of yellow flowers and you have a very festive looking bouquet or potpourri.

If you feel really stressed out during the holidays try lavender. Maybe everyone is sick so you could make a eucalyptus arrangement.

These ideas also make great gifts for everyone on your holiday list. After all, who couldn’t use a bouquet, wreath, potpourri or even a bath oil?

The choices for holiday decorating and gift giving using aromatherapy and products from your garden are only as limited as your imagination.

Another great idea is making homemade gifts from your kitchen. Even the little ones can help out there.

So, while you are busy drying herbs for decorations, don’t forget to dry some to add to your holiday meal as well as to keep you supplied until next summers bounty comes around again.

I hope you and yours have a fantastic holiday celebration!
Sheri Ann Richerson is a regular columnist for Beyond Infinity, as well as a professional free-lance writer whose works have appeared in numerous print magazines, newspapers and websites.  She is also an avid gardener and herblist.  Among her most recent works is the Llewellyn's 2002 Moon Signs, available through Amethyst Moon.  She lives in Indiana.
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