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Tempted to do something with the lavender growing in your yard? Letting such a fragrant herb go to waste would be…well, a waste! Gathering, drying and using lavender is really simple. Just one plant will yield enough material to scent your whole house.
Harvesting: First, decide how you want to use your lavender. If you primarily want a pretty dried arrangement, choose a dark purple type (white and pink varieties look lifeless once they’re dried). Cut stems during the first or second week of bloom for the best color. If you’re more interested in scent than looks, wait until the fourth or fifth week to harvest. The color may be less bright, but the fragrant oil increases in the flowers if given more time.
The individual flower stalks shoot up 6 or more inches above the leafy part of the plant. This makes them easy to cut off, without fear of injuring the rest of the bush. Choose a dry day, either morning or dusk, when fragrance is the strongest. Use sharp pruning shears or scissors to cut the stems, then bring your harvest indoors – the sun causes the flowers to wilt quickly.
Drying: Drying lavender can be done in a number of ways, and each offers pros and cons.
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| Photo Credit: Amy Dee Stephens |
| Attach your drying lavender to a hanger with ribbon, string or clips. |
Hang Drying
Pros: Requires few materials and can be decorative.
Cons: Takes about a week or longer to dry and may introduce insects to your house.
Bundle approximately 20 lavender stalks together and secure with a rubber band. (A rubber band may not be the prettiest to look at, but it works well because it tightens as the stems shrink in size – and you can always add a decorative ribbon over it.) Choose a dry, warm, dark place to hang each bundle upside down. Leave enough space so air can circulate around the bunches. A garage may seem like an obvious choice for drying, but if you live in a humid part of the country, mold can quickly destroy the lavender. Inside the house is often a better environment (except for moist bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms). Hang the bundles from a nail or hook in a dark corner, or even a closet (lavender repels moths). The easiest hanging device is a wire clothes hanger.
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