How to Press Garden Flowers

It's almost autumn. The garden has started to dwindle. Perhaps only a few vegetables remain. But the autumn flowers may be in full bloom. Chrysanthemums, marigolds and even late zinnias are just a few of the autumn flowers that can be pressed for later use. Use pressed flowers in greeting cards, paper making or just about any other craft. Here are a few tips to help your kids press some autumn flowers.

Choosing Flowers

Send the kids on a fresh flower hunt. Flowers that have just bloomed are best for pressing. The colors are still vibrant and the flower is healthy. It just makes a better pressing flower. Make sure the kids gently check the flower for any critters before you press them. You wouldn't want to have any pressed insects or critters in the flowers, would you?

Choose flowers that don't have any moisture. This can be hard. Wait until the flowers have had a few days of sunshine only. This helps to deter mold that can grow on the flowers while being pressed.

If the kids want to add some green like stems and leaves to the pressed flowers that is fine too. So that the green parts don't fade over time use a little glycerin to rub over the stems, leaves or greens. Craft glycerin can be found in most craft stores. Take a small paintbrush and paint the greens with fabric softener which contains glycerin. This is perhaps the safest way. But be sure to wash up immediately after.

Make Your Own Press

You can take two thick pieces of wood and make a flower press. Get some plain butcher paper or newsprint paper. Place the newsprint on the wooden blocks, then place a regular piece of white copy paper. Arrange the flowers on the white paper. Make sure the flowers aren't touching each other. This will help them dry faster. Then place one more sheet of newsprint on the pile. Place the other wooden block on top and put a heavy item such as a couple textbooks on top of the stack. Check the flowers every other day to see how they are progressing.

You can also press flowers in books. Do it the same way as with the two wooden blocks using newsprint and copy paper. Be sure the book doesn't get ruined and the flowers don't leak through the papers. Thoroughly dry the flowers before you press them. Put extra books on top of the book you are pressing the flowers in.

Is There Enough Pressure?

The problem with most flower presses is whether there is enough pressure to press the flowers down flat. Be sure kids add on enough weight. Find some heavy objects such as a set of glass mixing bowls or heavy books to put on the press.

Buy a Professional Press

Professional flower presses are great gift ideas for kids. This takes the guess out of how to press flowers because all the equipment is there with the flower press. Check in craft stores and home and garden stores for flower presses.

Use in Crafts

Once the flowers are pressed and dried use them in a variety of crafts. Use rubber cement or other clear glue to glue them onto holiday cards or other special occasion greeting cards. You can also add them to stationery for a gift. Decorate a book cover with pressed flowers. Add some pressed flowers to a memory garden scrapbook. The possibilities are limited only by the imagination.

~Katina Mooneyham

Katina Mooneyham is a freelance writer from central Ohio. She is a full time stay at home mother homeschooling her two children. Katina likes to read, hike, take nature walks, write and garden. Teaching her kids about gardening is a big priority.