Growing Flowers and Good Soil
To grow healthy flowers, one of the most important items you’ll need is good soil. You can’t have a successful garden without it. Most people don’t think much about their soil other than as an area with dirt that needs planting. Taking a bit of time and planning for a healthy foundation will save you hours, even years, of plant heartache. Before buying a lot of expensive plants and seeds, get your soil tested and amended to get it in good shape. My husband and I spent one whole season just adding compost to our yard. It was not the most exciting time; however, the following year, our hard work and wheelbarrowhauling paid off, and we had more blooms than ever before. For assistance, contact your local county extension agent. Extension agents are an excellent resource regarding soil testing and for answering questions on local growing conditions, pest control, and water conservation techniques. If you have a master gardener program in your area, this is another group with valuable information, and they often run free classes and demonstrations. Here are three simple soil tests you can do yourself. In your yard, dig down about 6 or 8 inches to root level. Fill a large canning jar about half full with soil, and then add water until the jar is full. Let the soil sit
for about 5 minutes, put the lid on, and give the whole mixture a shake. Set the jar down and wait 1 minute before measuring the amount of sediment in the bottom of the jar. This is the sand in your soil. Wait 4 more minutes and measure the sediment again. The difference between the two numbers will be the amount of silt in your soil. Twenty-four hours later, take a third measurement; the difference between the second and third numbers will be the amount of clay in your soil. Healthy soil should be 20 percent clay, 40 percent silt, and 40 percent sand. Knowing the composition of your soil will help you decide what amendments to add and what types of plants to grow in your plot. Some flowers, such as hydrangeas, are pH sensitive and like more acidic soil. Test the pH of your soil with a few common kitchen ingredients. Place 2 tablespoons of soil in a bowl and add 1⁄ 2 cup of vinegar. If the mixture fizzes, you have alkaline soil. Place 2 tablespoons of soil in a bowl and mix it with 1⁄ 2 cup baking soda. Then add water to the mixture; if the soil reacts or fizzes, you have acidic soil. You want your soil to have a neutral pH. Alternatively, purchase test strips that can read the pH level of your soil. If you have acidic soil, add some lime. If it’s alkaline, add some ground sulfur. The final test is to look for earthworms. Digging up your soil and finding 17
all the leaves, and place in a small vase or jar of clean water. Alternatively, use rooting hormone and clean soil to start your cutting. Double the number of cuttings from what you think you really need as not all of them will root. In a few weeks, you will have enough new young
plants to expand your garden or share with friends. You also may wish to take cuttings from friends’ yards, and I have taken cuttings out of floral arrangements. I have two beautiful hydrangea bushes by my front door that came from a Mother’s Day bouquet a few years back.
Rooting Hormone
If you are starting plants from cuttings, you may want to use a rooting hormone. Both liquid and powdered versions of the hormone are available at most garden supply shops. I’ve had success using these products, and I have also had success without them. This leads me to believe that the most important factor is getting a good stem cutting in the first place. The purpose of a rooting hormone is to act as a catalyst for new roots and to protect the cuttings from fungus and diseases that may have been introduced during the cutting process. Here are some DIY ideas for creating rooting stimulants, using easily found ingredients. • Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix together 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon water, and dip your cuttings in this solution before planting. • Cinnamon: Dip your cutting ends in some ground cinnamon. • Raw Honey: Honey has antibacterial properties. Add 1 tablespoon to 2 cups boiled water and dip your cuttings in the cooled solution before planting. • Willow Tea: Willow trees are rich in auxin (a plant hormone), which helps new roots grow faster. In the spring, collect a few young willow stems from new growth. Chop them up, cover them with boiling water, and let them steep into a strong tea. Dip your cuttings in this cooled mixture. • Aloe vera gel: If you have an aloe plant in your home, harvest some of the gel from inside a lower leaf and dip your stem cutting ends in the gel before planting to take advantage of aloe's natural antifungal properties.
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Pressed Flower Combs and Brushes
Another nice way to enjoy your garden flowers and treat your hair is by decorating a favorite brush or new wooden comb or brush with pressed flowers, leaves, and petals. Cut fresh flowers in the morning and make sure they are clean and dry. To flatten and press your botanicals, place them inside a large heavy book, sandwiched between parchment or wax paper. Or purchase a flower press or make one using wood scraps and screws (turn to page 88). In a few weeks, the flowers will be dry and ready to use. Using a waterproof decoupage glue or varnish, paint the surface of your comb or brush. Arrange your flowers and leaves in a pleasing pattern and let dry completely. When dry, cover your entire design with two more coats of glue or varnish. These hair-styling combs and brushes make a nice gift by themselves or when combined with other homemade products and treats.
Geranium Hair Rinse
The sweet, scented leaves of the geranium plant can be used to brew a rinse that will give your hair natural luster and shine. It’s as simple as making a cup of tea, and, when used weekly, it will keep your tresses clean and full of bounce. Geranium oil is also used in many natural products because of its germ-killing properties and can be used to heal cuts. You may add a few drops of the essential oil to this recipe to calm an itchy scalp. Yield 16 ounces
liquid into a clean container and, if desired, add the essential oil. To Use: After shampooing and conditioning, pour this rinse over your hair. Leave rinse in; dry and style your hair as you normally would.
1 cup geranium leaves, slightly crushed 2 cups boiling water 2 to 3 drops essential oil of geranium (optional) Place leaves in a glass or ceramic bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let steep until cool, then strain. Pour the 51
Keeping Your Flowers Fresh
If you use dried flowers in recipes, they will keep for several months. Store them in a dry, dark, cool spot to preserve their flavor and color, but not a lot of extra care is needed. Fresh flowers are like any fresh produce, and they will wilt or spoil over time. A few tips for keeping your flowers fresh until you can use them: Place cut stems in a jar or glass of water to keep them hydrated; place cut flowers inside a sealable container and store in the refrigerator (put a damp paper towel in the bottom to keep things moist as refrigerator air can be drying); and, most important, keep your flowers cool and out of direct sunlight.
Nasturtium: This is probably the most popular of edible flowers. The blossoms are brightly colored and have a spicy, peppery taste. I use the large flat leaves under serving dishes as they make a nice natural “coaster.” Rose: In my opinion, rose petals scattered over dishes or in salads make everything more beautiful. All roses are edible, though some taste better than others. I have a small yellow rose that is sweet and perfect for desserts. My large pink roses are better in salads as they almost taste like an artichoke. Sample a petal or two before using and make note of the ones you enjoy. Sunflower: The bright petals can be eaten, and I love adding them to summer salads. Depending on the variety, the inner bud may produce seeds or can be steamed and eaten as a vegetable. Viola: Pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, and violets are all in the same family and all are edible. The bright colors and mild 66
Beautiful Flowers
Where to Find Edible Flowers
Many vegetables and fruits produce a blossom, but these flowers also produce the vegetable or fruit so you may want to pick only if you have plenty to spare. Herbs, if left alone, will produce small flowers that often taste like a milder version of the original. Garden flowers are easy to find and pick, and they often thrive when pinched and pruned. In the wild, you may also notice flowers. A good rule of thumb when picking is to only take what you can use and never more than a third of the plant. Here are some common edible flowers and their sources. Garden: beans, strawberries, broccoli, radishes, tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, onions Herb Garden: bee balm, basil, chive, dill, lemon balm, parsley, cilantro, borage, mint, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage Flower Beds: begonias, calendula, chrysanthemums, fuchsia, dianthus, nasturtiums, dahlias, sunflowers, tulips, violets, daylilies, sunflowers, roses, gardenias, gladioli, lavender, hibiscus, marigolds Wildflowers: dandelions, violets, strawberries, blackberries, red clover, elderberries, Queen Anne’s lace, wild roses
Rose Hips: The fruit of the rose, or the hip, that appears in the fall makes an excellent tea full of vitamin C. In fact, studies show that rose hips have more vitamin C than oranges. Chamomile: This tea is the classic relaxing brew that has a multitude of uses. I have friends who swear by its healing and calming powers. I drink it in the evening with a bit of milk before going to bed. Chrysanthemum: I first saw this tea in China where it represents joy and happiness and is typically served to guests. You can purchase dried flower heads that, when placed inside a cup or glass teapot, bloom as they steep. This show alone is worth brewing up a pot.
Beautiful Smoothies
Start your day with a fruit smoothie and see if you can match or complement the color to what is blooming in your garden. Think hot pink dragon fruit and zinnias, or yellow mango and marigolds. Fruit and flowers just naturally go together and will start your day off right.
MARIGOLD SUNRISE
Chamomile 74
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2 cups frozen mango cubes 1 frozen banana, sliced 3⁄ 4 cup almond or oat milk 1⁄ 2 teaspoon grated ginger Floral garnish
Chapter 4: Floral Crafts matters; if you choose a large container, your arrangement may become larger than you expected. If you’re creating an arrangement for a dining room table, make sure people can easily see over or under your design as they talk. I have been to parties where the flowers are removed from the table so everyone can see each other, but this strategy defeats the purpose of having them there in the first place.
mong my favorite floral crafts is flower arranging. As an amateur arranger, I don't use wire or some of the other tools of a trained florist, but my unconventional bouquets bring me joy. Whether you're making large displays, or just plopping a few garden daisies into a glass of water, working with flowers will leave you happier and less stressed. Here are the basics to follow when arranging your own flowers.
Structure: Before you add your flowers, build up a base or holder at the bottom of your container to keep them all in place. If you are just filling a pretty vase with a bouquet, a base is not always necessary; for most arrangements, though, having some structure will help. It might be old-fashioned metal flower frogs, natural branches, chicken wire, luffa (sometimes spelled loofah) sponge slices, even cellophane tape around the top in a grid pattern. I once used a piece of the mesh that avocados come in. It worked great.
Containers: The size and material of your container sets the size and tone for your whole arrangement. If this is to be a formal arrangement, use your best china or crystal vases. For something more casual, use jars, cans, even large seashells. The size also
Focal Flowers: Gather up all your flowers and sort them by type, color, and size. Choose an odd number — three to five of the larger blooms — to be your focal flowers. Place these in your container first, making them the star and focus of the arrangement.
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Beautiful Flowers