October is a great month for collecting the last of the season's bounty. Pinecones, acorns, seed pods and rose hips seem to be everywhere you look. The ornamental grasses are flowering and the last of the season's flowers are blooming. There are delightfully fragrant herbs to gather and overgrown vines such as grape or hops to cut back. All of this natural material is there just waiting for you to gather it to use in a slew of easy nature crafts throughout the winter months.   Pinecones, seed pods and rose hips are ideal additives to natural potpourri, as are dried flower heads and herbs. Grasses are good for using in dried floral arrangements or for making wreaths or baskets. Use vines to make wreaths or baskets. If you are making wreaths, you can shape the wreath before the plant material dries. Then simply hang the wreath form up where air can easily circulate around it and allow it to dry before decorating it. Throughly dry any natural plant material you gather in a dehydrator or by lay the plant material in a single layer on a drying screen so it does mold. Once they are dry, freeze these items overnight. Place them inside a plastic bag or other freezer container before putting them in the freezer so they do not draw moisture. This should kill off any insects or insect eggs that might be hiding on the plant material.   A very easy nature craft to make with herbs is potpourri. Collect the herbs early in the morning right after the dew dries. This is when the plants are most fragrant because the heat of the day has not evaporated any of the essential oils the plant leaves produce. There are both moist and dry potpourris that you can make. I think making the dried potpourri is easier - and a lot prettier. Moist potpourri has a tendency to mold and is best kept in a sealed jar because it does not look pretty - although the fragrance is a lot more intense than dried potpourri. Once your potpourri are dry, select the ones you are going to use and  combine them in a large glass container with a lid. Once all of the ingredients are added, mix them up taking care not to break the plant material. Set the container in a cool, dark place and allow the potpourri scents to mix. Shake the container from time to time. When you are happy with the smell of the contents, go ahead and put some out in pretty jars.   Here are a few recipes to get you started from my book 101 Secret Gardening Tips. Feel free to add or subtract botanical materials until you have a potpourri you are happy with. Victorian Lavender Potpourri 1 ounce orris root 1 ounce lavender 1 drop vanilla essential oil 1 drop bergamont essential oil   Asian Potpourri ¼ cup camellia blossoms ⅛ cup rose petals 1 vanilla bean, cut up 1 tablespoon pine needles If the idea of making wreaths from material grown in your own garden sounds like a lot of fun, here is how you do it: Make a wreath base out of plant material such as grape vines or Artemisia by wrapping the plant material around itself in a circular shape. Take care not to wrap it too tightly. There should be space left between the plant material so air can circulate, otherwise the material could mold instead of dry. Once you have your wreath base you will need to find materials to embellish your wreath. Flowers, herbs, twigs, leaves, acorns, rose hips and a slew of other natural materials can be used. Here is an example of how to make an herb wreath. Remember this is only an example. You are limited only by your imagination! Choose a wreath base. Select the plant material you wish to use and lay it out. As you gain experience making wreathes, you may find working with fresh plant material is easier, but beware of mold!   The first plant material to add to the wreath is the greenery or background material. This material is usually herbs, grasses, leaves or other types of filler material. Use florist pins or a hot glue gun to secure the plant material to the wreath base. Do not worry about covering the back of the base since it will face the wall when you are done, but do cover the front and sides of the wreath base.   When are satisfied with the amount of greenery or background material on the wreath, begin to attach flowers such as statice, strawflower or lavender wands. Rose hips, dried peppers, garlic swags or other natural material are also ideal additives. What you choose depends on the intended use of the wreath and your personal preferences. Play around and have fun.   Once you know what you are putting on the wreath and where it will go, attach the plant material. Don’t forget non-plant material such as bows or other decorations. These should be added last. There are sprays you can buy to help preserve your wreath if you wish. If you do not preserve it, the wreath will still last quite a while. When it begins to look dusty, simply remove the bows and decorations, then toss it in the compost pile, if you have not added any preservatives to it.

Printable Natural Herb Wreath How-To Card

Want to try making the herb wreath described above? The card brings together the garden materials and practical assembly steps, from forming a wreath base to attaching the flowers and finishing with a bow. Dry plant materials thoroughly so moisture doesn't get trapped in your finished project.

How to Make a Natural Herb and Flower Wreath

Use herbs, dried flowers, grasses and garden materials to decorate a natural wreath, based on the Easy Nature Crafts tutorial.

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Materials

• Grapevine wreath base or flexible vines
• Thoroughly dried herbs, greenery and grasses
• Dried flowers, seed pods and rose hips
• Florist pins, suitable wire or hot-glue gun
• Ribbon or other finishing decorations

Instructions

1. Gather sound garden materials such as flexible grapevines, dried herbs, ornamental grasses, flower heads and seed pods. Check plants for insects and signs of mold.
2. If making your own base, wind flexible vines around themselves in a loose circle without packing them too tightly. Allow the base to dry with good airflow before decorating, or use a prepared grapevine wreath.
3. Lay out the wreath base and arrange your herbs, grasses and decorative elements before fastening them.
4. Attach greenery or filler first, covering the front and visible sides of the wreath while leaving the back relatively flat.
5. Use florist pins, suitable craft wire or a hot-glue gun carefully to secure greenery to the base.
6. Add dry flowers such as strawflower, statice or lavender, followed by seed pods, rose hips or other appropriate garden accents.
7. Check the wreath from several angles and fill any gaps while maintaining the loose, natural appearance you prefer.
8. Add a ribbon bow or other non-plant decorations last.
9. Hang the finished wreath in a dry place away from heat and flames. Remove bows and decorations before composting untreated natural material when it becomes dusty or worn.

Notes

Dry plant material completely before storing or displaying to avoid trapping moisture and mold. If using fresh flexible vines for the base, allow airflow as the base dries. Keep decorations away from flames, heating equipment and pets that might ingest botanicals.

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Making easy nature crafts from your garden is possible with a bit of imagination. Easy nature crafts are a great way to get kids involved in learning about nature and crafting. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and collect some cool natural materials and start making your own awesome nature crafts today!