Potpourris
Potpourris are so simple to make at home and you can use
almost everything from the garden. Most potpourris you may buy
at the store are made up of fillers like wood shavings, etc. But,
if you make it at home and add all sorts of petals and peels you
will have something to be proud of.
The first step in making potpourri is to collect your herbs and
flowers that you will be using. Do this on a sunny day, about
mid-morning so that the dew will have dried. If you collect at this
time your flowers will hold their scent better. Gently pull off your
petals or leaves and lay them on a screen to dry for a few days in
. a dark, airy place. Stir them around and flip over every day. If
you don't have a screen to use, you can use newspaper. You can
also dry your herbs in bunches and then strip the leaves off after
they have dried.
To dry citrus peels to use, after peeling the peel off in strips
scrape off all of the pulp then break into small pieces and let dry
same as the flowers and herbs.
Check your petals every day to make sure they stay dry or
they will mold. Gather petals and herbs throughout the growing
season and store them up in plastic containers after they have
dried until you have enough to use.
After your materials are dry, you need to find a fixative.
Orris root is one of the most common but some people are allergic
to it. A fixative is a plant or animal material that prevents the
evaporation of essential oils and holds the fragrance in your pot-
pourri. Other easy to find plant fixatives are dried rosemary,
sandalwood and benzoin powder.
You will need 1 tablespoon of fixative per quart of
material.
When combining your petals, herbs, fixative and scent if
used, do not use metal. Use wood, ceramic or glass bowls. Place
all of your materials in a large bowl and add fragrance or essential
oils if you want a stronger scent. Don't overpower the petals. Toss
with your hands or wooden spoon. Pour your potpourri into a
glass or ceramic pot and cover tightly with lid. Let sit in a dark
spot for 6 weeks and shake once a week. At the end of 6 weeks
you can place your potpourri into canning jars, etc. to give to
family and friends or sell some at a craft show.
Be creative! You can use pine needles, cedar chips,
cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, etc.
Moist Potpourris
Moist potpourris are made with rose petals or any fragrant
flower petals. You can partially dry them or use fresh. Add any
oils or spices and layer into a wide mouthed jar with uniodized
salt. Set aside for several weeks and stir every day. After ferment-
ation begins, you compress the potpourri under a weighted plate
and let sit for one or two weeks without stirring. This will form a
cake that you break into pieces and combine with fixative and
scent then let sit for 2 more weeks. This is a lengthy procedure
but produces a very wonderful smelling potpourri.
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