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Summer on a String: Marigold Garland
June 29, 2016

Amidst the:

Salad every night, snacking on sun-warmed peas, all those green tomatoes wiggling bigger every day…

Bouquets of mint, oregano, chamomile, dill and lavender drying, waiting to season the winter’s tea and soup…

Are the flowers!

I always tuck marigolds into my vegetable garden. I like the neon orange waving from the tones of jade, mint, emerald, sage, lime and clover.

Marigolds are also a good friend to vegetable gardens. Their nectar feeds beneficial insects that eat harmful insects and they are also known to deter some insects from vegetable plants. Honestly, I think you’d have to plant gobs of them to make a real difference so I mostly plant them because they are jubilant.

And they dry so beautifully! I made a garland last summer that has been in our bathroom ever since. The color has really held up and in the midst of winter’s 4:30 sunsets and grey skies, I committed to make MORE marigold garland this summer.

Plus, they make a nice backdrop to our everyday situations like washing chicken poop from feet while wearing pearls and pink sequined purses.

Making flower garland is a snap and super fun to do with kids.

Supplies:

  • marigolds
  • monofilament or string
  • large needle

Tips:

  • Harvest the marigolds when they are in full bloom, before they begin to dry on the plant.

  • Snip just at base of the flower receptacle, top of stem — the bulbous part beneath the petals where all the flower organs grow.

  • Thread needle through receptacle. You can either go straight through, parallel to flower (as seen in my bathroom) or through hole where you snipped and up through flower (as seen in the making here). While the through-stem-out-blooom is more typical, I actually prefer the bathroom garland: more flowers tighter together and I like that they point all different directions.

  • Use skinny end of a chop stick to push needle through the large marigolds.

    • Only harvest what you can string up right away; you can add more to same garland at any time.


beautiful handmade scissors available at DIG + CO!

  • The needle needn’t be sharp. A rounded, long needle is perfect for the littlest kids to help with zero fear of a poke.

The whole process is so satisfying and meditative and smells just like summery earth. This little dude hangs in our kitchen window. I have plans for so many more!

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garden  / MAKE  / mother

11 Comments


Molly Bradford
June 29, 2016 at 9:30 PM

The spacing between blooms, of the bulbous part, is simoly lovely. And I admire the pattern in this new one with large heads spaced evenly. It all goes well with your rainbow Back-lit glass. Gorgeous.



S
June 30, 2016 at 8:04 AM

I LOVE your home and seeing pictures of it is so inspiring!



Megan Bondy
June 30, 2016 at 8:07 AM

I love and admire the beauty you create in and have created with your home. It calms me and reminds me/teaches me that beauty is worth making.

I’m so glad we met. I carry the beauty of the Artful Homestead in my heart and it steadies me.



Dave Van Nice
June 30, 2016 at 8:24 AM

Lovely, as always. Your helpers look very skilled!



Patti Trombly
June 30, 2016 at 9:08 AM

I always loved marigolds. I’m going to try and make a garland. I’ve pics are great of you all. Love your big farmer’s sinks Nici!?



    Patti Trombly
    June 30, 2016 at 9:09 AM

    Meant love all your pics!

Trbholt
June 30, 2016 at 10:07 AM

What a cheery space! Can’t wait to sip coffee at that table with M & R at my side and May May at my feet!

xoxo



Peggy Duncan
June 30, 2016 at 12:19 PM

Love this idea, love your house and your adorable girls!



Aimee Poole
July 1, 2016 at 4:13 AM

Love the style of your home, gorgeous



Sarah
July 1, 2016 at 1:40 PM

Love this, and your home is so inspiring! The slugs ate all my marigolds this year, so maybe next year!



Lisa
July 2, 2016 at 6:29 AM

Watermelon yoni ! Love your kitchen !



  • hello and welcome

    I’m Nici (pronounced like Nikki) and I live in western Montana where I raise kids, vegetables and the roof.

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