Garden DIY

Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants
By Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis
Published by Ten Speed Press, February 2017

Discover the surprising usefulness of petals and leaves, roots, seeds, and fruit in this beautifully photographed guide written by two local authors and just now out from our beloved local Ten Speed Press. Projects range from organic pantry staples to fragrances, floral arrangements, beverages, cocktails, beauty products, and more, all using unexpected and often common garden plants, some of which may already be growing in your backyard.

Among the 47 recipes are ideas and instructions for cooking up teas, infusions, vinegars, and butters using flowers and herbs like marigold, bachelor’s buttons, oregano, and anise hyssop; arrangements using crabapple, flowering basil, and blackberry prunings; and household and beauty products employing lemongrass and rosemary.

The authors are the owners of local landscape design firm Homestead Design Collective. Bittner is co-author of The Beautiful Edible Garden and Harampolis is co-author of the bestselling The Flower Recipe Book and The Wreath Recipe Book, and a co-founder/owner of the floral design company Studio Choo.
Meet the authors and learn more about the book at these East Bay events. (Check venues for details):

The Gardens at Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek, March 10

Biofuel Oasis, Berkeley, March 18

Annie’s Annuals, Richmond, April 8|

Flowerland, Albany, May 3