Gardening/ Living

TheReview Wednesday; May 16,1990 — AQ

How-to guide to zapping flowers in the microwave

Before my conscience wears me
down completely, let me give
those of you who requested a
recipe for drying flowers in a
microwave oven this one (one of
several received). It is from Bar-
bara Harris’ book called Lets
Cook Microwave.

“For best results use roses,
mums, daisies, asters and pansies,

or flowers with thick petals. Test-~

dry one flower to judge your
Bmicrowave’s drying ability. Ingre-
dients needed are: 1 Ib. silica gel

(from craft, florist or drug stores)
_or substitute kitty litter to extract
moisture from flowers.

“You will also need a soft brush,
toothpicks, scissors, florist tape,
florist wire, and fresh flowers, with
leaves if desired: Dry immediately
after picking. Leave 1/2 inch stem
on each flower

“Tn an 8x4-inch glass loaf pan,
or a shoe box, layer 1/2 inch gel on
bottom. Arrange blossoms with
stems down in gel, 1/2 inch apart.
Spoon more gel around and
between petals using a toothpick
to spread it, maintaining natural

Bshape until completely covered.

“Microwave on high with one
cup of water in oven for one to to
minutes. Time will vary with size

&f flower and power of microwave.
Rest for 30 minutes, or overnight
on flat surface. Remove flowers
with toothpick. Attach florist wire
with a hook through top of flower,
and carefully remove gel from

buds with brush.

“Wrap wire with florists tape
beginning at flower end. (If not
quite dry, hang upside down to dry
Or arrange right-side-up in slotted
roasting rack).

“Plastic spray will help preserve
flowers. Dry leaves separately for
one minute (high). Flowers should
be half open and firm. Yellow
flowers maintain their color beau-
tifully. Do not attempt to dry wet
flowers. Cut early in the morning
and refrigerate for best results.
Custard cups may be used to dry
individual flowers.”

The proprietors of Ravenhill
Herb Farm, Andrew Yoeman and
Noel Richardson, have prepared a
small but fully packed gardener’s
handbook called Feeding Vegeta-
bles, outlining their methods of
organic gardening, composting,
fertilizing and their use of cold-
frames and row covers to speed up
seeding, and prolong harvesting.

The proceeds from this
thoughtful book go to the Mount
Newton Valley Conservation
Society, who is meeting Saturday,
at 2:30 p.m. at 1330 Mt. Newton
Cross Rd., Saanichton. The meet-
ing is to be opened by the Hon.
Mel Couvelier, and addressed by
Edo Nyland and Andrew Yoeman.

Everyone interested in saving at
least some of the beautiful farm
land and rural life-style on the
Peninsula might take this opportu-
nity to make themselves heard,
and, perhaps, have a look around
this unusual farm while there.

The booklet Feeding Vegetables
is available at a cost of $5 from
Village Books and Ivy’s in Vic-
toria, Elk Lake Garden Centre on
the Pat Bay Highway, and from
Snapdragon Nursery in Sidney.

I found the information and
drawings of cold frames (espe-
cially the portable box frame) very
interesting. “himself** hasn’t
heard about it yet, but he is getting
so clever with a hammer I’m going
to ask him to make me one. It
would be ideal to ue over one of

= ane

brodspect

106-2506 BEACON
655-1970

we’re not just
for kids

the raised beds for growing let-
tuces, and all sorts of other good
things during the winter.

I had a call from a gentleman,
who wishes to remain nameless,
about growing African violets to
be distributed to places such as
Hospice, Mt. Newton Day Care
Centre, and extended care facilit-
ies. He feels that patients would be

refreshed and uplifted by the

beauty of these flowers, which
could be replaced with fresh plants
every few weeks.

What we need here, besides
willing growers, would be some
person, or persons, with organiza-
tional abilities who would be will-
ing to co-ordinate such a worth-
while project. Would anyone inter-
ested please call me (said she,
sticking her neck out a mile.)

“himself quite likely will leave
home if I get involved with any-
thing else connected with garden-
ing, but this is such a good idea I
think I'll just have to risk it! More

your home
this test?

Take a few moments now to
inspect your home for prob-
lems caused by water. It will
save you time and money.
Yes No
Rusty-Red stains on
sinks, lavatories, etc...
Blue-Green stains on
sinks, lavatories, etc... O
Soap curd ring on
bathtubs, showers.... LJ
Clogged faucet
Bl eatorse = ee O
Soaps lose suds
quickly
Chrome fittings etched
or being eaten away ..
Rusty stains on
“clothing, linens, etc. ..
Excessive spotting of
dishes and silverware. LJ
Black stains on
silverware .......... O
Tastes and/or odors in
drinking water .......

If you answered yes to one or
more of the above questions
your Bruner/Goulds professional
water dealer can help you to a
better life through quality
water — call now.

ner
"ss brune
WELL eS

PUMPS & WATER

SYSTEMS LTD.
Michael Garthwaite
656-7474

Oo

oooRooeoG

water pass

* GIANT LEEK HAS a nine-inch stem, is three inches in diameter
and weighs about three pounds. If was grown in the garden
of a Third Street home by gardener Jonathan Bames.

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on this as the project evolves.

I have been wondering when I’d
hear from Les Moore (he of the
spectacular dahlias) and today was
the day. Once again all proceeds
from Les’ dahlia sale go to the
Lions/Review Food Bank.

This year the sale will be from
10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday
(May 19) at the Moore home, 8662
Llewellyn St., off Dean Park Road,
right turn off East Saanich Road
when heading south.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you
that dahlias are one of the most
satisfactory of plants, flowering
magnificently until frost, mean-
while multiplying in a fashion that
puts most other tubers to shame.
They are my kind of flower for
sure, almost disease free, strong
and willing, as well as being
beautiful.

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