Make This Easy Foraged Arrangement for Fall

Make this easy arrangement for fall with all foraged botanicals. I do love fall flowers – especially foraged ones. But don’t get me wrong here, I also love a visit to the flower market or even Trader Joe’s to pick up flowers to make an arrangement. But in the fall (the best time of year in my opinion), foraging is just too good to ignore. And it’s free!

In October, fall foliage is at its prime. The colors of fall add a certain texture and a perfect touch of warmth to any room. And they look great with a tapered candle or two.

How do I even know where to start foraging for flowers and branches?

I hear this a lot…“I just don’t live where there’s a lot of stuff to forage.” And I always think that’s not possible. I have lived all over the United States and have foraged my way through every city!

Here’s what I do:

• Take Notes – I used to keep a little notebook, and now I keep notes on my phone. Every time I see a tree or a place with a lot of foraging potential, I note the date and location. I take a photo that I can then find by date on my phone. Sometimes, I’ll see a large juniper tree that’s in a wooded area. I know that come December, I’m going to want to go back and clip some. But without notes, I’ll never remember where it was.
• Favorite Spot – I’ll often have a few favorite spots at the edge of a large parking lot, near water; that’s where many foraged flowers and trees grow wild.
• Go Coastal – We live near the beach, and some beautiful grasses and seed pods grow wild at the beach.

Tips on how to forage

• Take a Friend – I still like to forage with a friend or my husband rather than go alone. I feel braver with a friend. Let me warn you though, you get a lot of strange looks when you are out there cutting what most people think are weeds.
• Be Prepared with Supplies – Take large canvas bags or a tarp and heavy-duty clippers. Some of the branches can be quite thick. A pair of good clippers is essential.
• Cut Twice as Much – Unless you don’t mind a second trip, cut twice as much as you think you’ll need for your arrangement.
• Shake, Shake, and Shake – Give the branches a good shake before putting them on the tarp or into a bag (otherwise, spiders, ants, and who knows what else might come home with you).
• Wash and Air Dry – Once home, if you have the time and the right climate (meaning it’s not the middle of winter in the northeast), lay everything out and mist it gently with the hose). Then let it air dry.
• Take Inventory – Sort everything and decide what you will want to use. It’s best to work outside if possible.
• Don’t Force It – Just because you brought it home, washed it, and let it dry in the sun, doesn’t mean you have to use it! It’s okay. Sometimes less is more…and sometimes more is more! That’s what I L-O-V-E about foraging!

How can I make sure that a plant I’m foraging is not poisonous?

You can use your iPhone to find out all kinds of information on plants! Here’s how you do it!

• Take a photo of the plant or tree.
• Then tap the leaf icon and then the circle with the “i”
• If it has a star by the “i” then it’s possible to use Visual Look Up with results from Siri knowledge and the web.

 

Let’s make a big fall foraged arrangement

I took a trip to my favorite spot to forage. It’s close to the Long Island Sound, and you can see the train going by in the distance. It’s the perfect spot because there are many types of plants and bushes that grow wild, and no one cares what you do! 

So please note I am not foraging in areas that are manicured. These are places that no one pays attention to and things grow wild! Which is why it’s perfect!

Cut flowers and branches in odd numbers for foraged floral arrangements

I like to cut either three, five, or seven branches, flowers, or grasses. Then, when I get home, I start adding to my vase once I have cleaned it and sorted it out. I start with three of something big (focal flowers) and work my way around the vessel. I like to keep things in odd numbers.

You Might Like These Posts on Foraging too!

How to Make a Simple Foraged Wreath

A Simple DIY Inspired by My Love of Foraging

Some of my blogger friends’ favorite flower arrangements:

1. 7 Ways to Make Your Fall Flowers Amazing | Robyn’s French Nest
2. How To Dry Limelight Hydrangeas | Inspiration for Moms
3. Fall Table Centerpiece for a Gathering | My 100 Year Old Home
4. Easy Foraged Arrangement for Fall | Most Lovely Things
5. Fall Flowers Printable Art | Twelve on Main
6. Rustic Fall flower Arrangement | Craftberry Bush
7. Flower Arrangements with Fruit | Happy Happy Nester
8. Three Effortless Ways to Use Fall Flowers in Your Home | Pasha is Home
9. Easy Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece Tutorial | Sanctuary Home Decor
10. DIY Floral Skull | My Sweet Savannah

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