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Dried Lavender

This is my first year growing lavender. I was a bit nervous about it. My husband bought a starter plant not yet flowering.We transplanted it into a larger pot that gave the plant a little of a shock for a week or two while it rooted into its new home. Within about a month and a half flowers started blooming all over it. Its only the first year so I don’t know yet how many harvest I will get out of it this year. This post is  about how to harvest store and use lavender.

How to harvest 

When you harvest your lavender you are also pruning and shaping it. Cut flowers in the early morning before the sun has had time to evaporate the oils in the plant. You want to keep as much of the plants oils inside of it since this is what gives it is fragrant smell. Cut only the green part of the stem a little above the woody stock. Cutting into to woody stock can cause damage to the pant and stunt it.

Flowers should be harvested right before the bloom opens to make sure you have a strong scent. Gather a hand full and cut the green part of the stalk. Keep your herb out of the sun as you harvest them. (Sun drying will change the color of your flowers.

How to store  Once you have gathered your flowers lightly shake and check for any bugs or insects. Next tie the ends of the steams together and hang upside down. Hang your herbs in a dark, cool and dry area. Once they have fully dried  (which is 2-4 weeks) you can store in a dry container. Make sure to always store dried herbs in cool areas.

How to use Now that your plants are dry its time to use them and there are so many ways to use dried lavender.

Lavender, Rose and Rosemary Bath Salt

• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/2 cup dried crushed rose petals
• 1/2 cup Dead Sea salt
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• 1 tablespoon sweet almond oil
• 8 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil

Lavender Tea

1. Boil 8 oz. of water.
2. Pour hot water into tea cup
3. Place  tsp. of dried lavender buds into a tea ball.
4. Place the tea ball into tea cup
5. Let steep for 5 minutes.

 

Lavender Sleep Sachet

To make asleep sachet from lavender buds simply gather up enough buds to fill your sachet 2/3 full add a few drops of lavender essential oil to boot the smell if it is too weak.