Lavender question

[Sonya]

When do you harvest lavender? When it blooms or after the flowers have started to die? You always see them dried and I didn't know if they were supposed to dry on the plant or off.

Thanks!

 

[Snowwark]

Hi Sonya! Lucky you! Are you just drying your lavender, or are you planning on making some lavender sachets?

Here's some info I found on harvesting Lavender, courtesy of Happy Valley Lavender.

~It's almost blooming time on the farm!
Check your Lavender plants as they colour up too. Harvest when the top buds open with tiny florets, your bushes will take on a "fluffy look" as they open. Cut when at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the buds are open, and you can also use bees as an indicator. Honey bees & bumble bees love lavender nectar. The nectar is a sign the essential oils have also developed for scent and taste for us humans! Cut the stems singly or in a bunch just into the green leafy area. This also reshapes the bush to stay short, fat, and more productive. When winter comes this helps the bush retain its' globular shape from Victoria's wetter occasional snowfall. (A bonus here is that your bushes will have a second light bloom in the early autumn).
You can simply secure with an elastic and hang to dry in your house out of direct sunlight or excessive heat. Do you still have a bed post? Sleep like royalty. ~

Just in case, here's a recipe for making Victorian sachets.

Victorian Sachet

This is a version of a recipe from the Era Formulary published in 1914

1 pound dried lavender flowers

1 ounce dried thyme leaves

½ ounce dried mint leaves

½ ounce cloves

1/8 oz lavender essential oil

To Make: Chop all ingredients and mix together well. Store in a glass jar. Use to fill sachet bags or pot pourris containers.

I hope this helps!

 

[Tulirose]

Interesting post regarding lavender. Hope it helps Sonya too!

 

[Sonya]

Thanks snowwark! I was looking for that info and couldn't find it anywhere. It is very helpful!
I use it in little deco bowls throughout my house, this is the first year I've gotten any significant bloomage of my own.

 

[Maleficent2]

welcome to the F&G board!

Glad Snowwark had the answer you needed!

Stay awhile

Mal