How to Dry Grasses
Ornamental grasses are magnificent in dried flower arrangements and are a wonderful addition to nature crafts. Growing your own grasses will provide you will an abundant supply to meet your decorating needs. Before you can use them, you will need to dry them first. Follow these steps to dry your own ornamental grass.
Select well-shaped and healthy specimens for drying. These are best picked in the afternoon after all traces of dew has dried.
Choose grasses that have closed or partially opened seeds. These will maintain their shape better.
- Ornamental grasses are magnificent in dried flower arrangements and are a wonderful addition to nature crafts.
- Follow these steps to dry your own ornamental grass.
Secure bundles of grass with an elastic band. Although you can use string, the rubber band provides a tight grasp and will shrink with the stems should they shrink in drying.
Hang up-side-down in a cool dry area for a week or more. The size and texture of the grass will determine drying time.
Remove the elastic band and use the dried grass in flower arrangements or other projects.
Poisonous Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses add height and depth to a yard. Arrowgrass is particularly toxic to sheep and cattle, though it also poses a danger to other animals, including dogs and cats. Arrowgrass causes distress, rapid breathing, salivation, muscular twitching, convulsions, coma and death. Obtain a sample of the ornamental grass to help the physician or veterinarian determine what was ingested so an appropriate treatment can be administered. Treatment often includes injections of sodium thiosulfate and sodium nitrite. Opt for types that are not poisonous to humans or animals if you have pets or children who spend time playing outside. Humans and animals also may have symptoms that are related to an allergic reaction when they contact certain ornamental grasses.
- Secure bundles of grass with an elastic band.
- Humans and animals also may have symptoms that are related to an allergic reaction when they contact certain ornamental grasses.
Tip
Use hairspray on tiny delicate seed heads to prevent seeds from spilling out while drying.
Related Articles
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service: Arrowgrass (Triglochin Maritima and T. Palustris)
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Grass Palm
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service: Tall Fescue
- American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA): Bear Grass
Tips
- Use hairspray on tiny delicate seed heads to prevent seeds from spilling out while drying.
Writer Bio
Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with more than four years' experience in online writing. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in teaching 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5.
