Harvesting and drying lavender fresh from your own garden is super easy. Imagine using your lavender buds to create a flavorful simple syrup to add to summer beverages. Or breathing in the fresh scent of summer lavender on a gloomy, fall day.
Well, here are five easy steps for harvesting and drying lavender, so you can love your lavender all year long.
Timing is Everything
Lavender is most fragrant (and the oil is most concentrated) when the flower buds have just formed and the petals are starting to open.
Morning or Evening
The best time in the day to harvest lavender is late morning after the dew has dried, or early evening when temperatures are starting to cool.
Snip, Snip, Snip.
Using sharp pruners or scissors, cut stems at the base of the flower stalk. Longer stems are best for fresh and dried arrangements.
You can use your cut stems fresh in your summer bouquets, or follow the steps below, to dry lavender for use later.
Bundle or Screen
In order to begin the process of drying lavender, bundle your harvest by gathering a handful of stems. Wrap a rubber band around the base of the bundle and hang it upside down in a dark, well-ventilated spot. Easy! The bundle will be dry in about four to five days.
Scatter your stems in a single layer on a screen or cloth is another method for drying lavender. Be sure to place it in a dark, well-ventilated place. Move and turn stems occasionally until dry.
Enjoy!
Add your dried stems to bouquets any time of year. You can also gently take the buds off to use in cocktails, baking and teas, to scent bathwater or place in a decorative bowl to freshen a room.
Now you can experience the fresh scent of lavender anytime. Harvesting and drying lavender using our five easy steps to will remind you of sunny summer days, long into winter.
There are many types of lavender to grow, harvest and dry. Read all about them in our plant library.
