You can dry fresh flowers using one of a number of methods, including techniques that use substances such as borax and silica gel. However, using an oven and some sand is convenient, and it requires very few materials and does not involve the use of chemicals. Since your flowers will be buried under sand, this method is best suited for drying hearty, thick flowers such as roses, chrysanthemums and marigolds, which can withstand the weight of the sand.
Things You'll Need
Baking dish
Sand (purchase at a craft store)
Fresh flowers
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Step 1
Pre-heat your oven to to its lowest possible temperature. This temperature differs from one oven to the next, but it's usually between 100 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Step 2
Fill your baking dish with 1 to 2 inches of sand -- enough to evenly coat the bottom of the dish.
Step 3
Lay the flowers flat on top of the sand, leaving space between them so they are not overlapping or pressing against each other.
Step 4
Carefully pour sand over the flowers, just enough that they are completely covered. Use a spoon or small shovel to gently sprinkle the sand if the flowers you are working with are particularly delicate.
Step 5
Place the dish in the oven for approximately two hours, leaving the door slightly ajar to allow air circulation. Check the dish periodically, ensuring that it is not smoking, which is a sign of overheating.
Step 6
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool completely before retrieving your flowers.
Benefits of Dried Flowers
Drying flowers is beneficial if you want to preserve sentimental pieces such as your wedding bouquet, prom corsage or boutonniere. Dried flowers can also be framed and used as decor, added to artwork or used to make potpourri.