When the leaves on the trees change color in autumn, you want to capture this incredible blaze of color. One way to keep the variegated leaves a little longer is to dry and press them. Treated in this way, they make an autumnal decoration for the home.

Leaves are easy to press into a book

Collect and press leaves

Look for trees and shrubs whose leaves are particularly colored, for example maple, common beech, pear or witch hazel. Collect only leaves that are in good condition, with no cracks, pitting, mold or fungus. Ideally, the leaves are dry, so get your leaves out of the garden or park during nice fall weather. There are two ways to press the leaves:

  • the professional plant press
  • the "book press"

Press leaves with the plant press

You can buy a plant press in any craft shop, but you can also make it yourself from two wooden boards and a suitable screw connection. In addition to the leaves, you will also need cardboard, press paper to absorb the plant sap and a pair of scissors.

  1. Cut two pieces of cardboard and four sheets of press paper to the size of the plant press.
  2. Now place first a piece of cardboard, then two layers of press paper and finally the leaves to be dried on the lower board of the press. Leave some space between the leaves.
  3. Place two more layers of press paper and then the second piece of cardboard on top of the leaves.
  4. Now screw the second wooden board to the first, and the press is done.

Store the plant press in a dry place for a few weeks (depending on the thickness of the leaves).

Press leaves into books

Everyone has probably tried pressing leaves in old books. In principle, the plants are dried in the same way as in a plant press. You will need several heavy books and press paper.

  1. Open the book and put several layers of press paper inside.
  2. Arrange the leaves on it, they should not touch each other.
  3. Cover the leaves again with press paper and close the book.
  4. So that proper pressure is applied, stack several thick books on it.

Store the books in a dry place and after a few weeks your leaves will be completely dry. With them you can now realize beautiful decoration ideas.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Indoor plants