Hints for Using Rose Hips

From teas to preserves, a quick search of the internet will produce a bounty of interesting recipes for rose hips. Before you harvest them for use, follow these simple guidelines:

• Use only rose hips that come from plants free of pesticides and herbicides.

• Stop deadheading blossoms in mid to late August so hips can form.

• Wait until after the first frost before harvesting. The color of the hips will be bright and their texture softer. This will also concentrate the sugars for a sweeter taste.

• To prepare for recipes, trim off stem and blossom ends and cut hips lengthwise to remove the seeds and small hairs. Wash thoroughly and spread them in a single layer on a tray or drying rack. Dry them in a food dehydrator, in an oven on the lowest setting or in a dark, well-ventilated place.

• Rose hips used for decorative crafts can be dried whole and kept in a cool, dark place.

• Leave some hips on the bush for the birds. They provide a great source of winter food and protective cover. For a festive garland birds will love, string a garland with rose hips, popcorn, nuts and dried fruits to hang on a tree near your home.