For the love of Lavender

Lavender drying

                                                      "The air was fragrant with a
                                                               thousand trodden aromatic herbs,
                                                         with fields of Lavender, and with the 
                                                               brightest roses blushing in tufts 
                                                          all over the meadows....."
                                                                                              -William Cullen Bryant
                                                     
                                                              
                                                                                         

Lavender drying

          Depending on where you live, it is time to harvest your Lavender, if that is your plan.
    I like to harvest at least 3/4 of my Lavender but I also like to make sure that I have enough left that I can enjoy it's scent for weeks to come.
      I think Lavender if one of those scents that you either love or hate. I love the scent of Lavender and have placed it in a garden attached to the deck so I can enjoy it as much as possible.
   My dog even likes the scent and will stick her nose in it a give it a gentle shake, releasing it's perfume. Of course she likes to stick her nose in anywhere that smells like food, like the mint, chives and her favorite the tomatoes.

Luna enjoying the Lavender

        It is best to cut the Lavender stalks first thing in the morning after the dew has gone or in the evening after the heat of the day. Cut the stalks just before the flowers open.
       I gather them in bunches and tie an elastic around the base and then wrap the last few loops of the elastic around a hanger making it easy for hanging. Hang it in a cool dry place for a week or two and then remove the flowers storing them in a jar or other tightly sealed container.

Dried Lavender buds

    "As Rosemary is to the spirit,
          so Lavender is to the soul."
                                   -Anonymous

My jar of dried Lavender

   Now that you have dried Lavender flowers you can use it as potpourri or bake with it.
 You can make little bags of potpourri or little potpourri pillows. These are great for scenting powder rooms or tucked in a drawer or closet.
  I like to bake with mine. In the past I have made Lavender cupcakes with Lavender icing and Lavender shortbread cookies. Last year I infused honey with Lavender. I was happy with all of them and as far as flavor goes the honey was my favorite.
  Like the scent of Lavender, the taste is definitely an acquired taste. I personally love the floral
perfumy taste and infuse the milk with Lavender before using it in my baking.
  

Blueberry Lavender Muffins

   This year I decided to make Blueberry Lavender Muffins.  As usual I infused the milk and then discarded the buds before using. Although I liked the way these turned out I like a strong Lavender taste and would therefore leave the buds in the milk next time.
  The taste of these muffins was a very subtle Lavender so if you are not sure if it is something you will like, try it without the buds first. You can use any muffin recipe that uses milk or buttermilk and if it calls for vanilla or other flavoring omit that, otherwise it will overpower the Lavender.

Blueberry Lavender Muffins

    Most of the Lavender has finished but I planted three new plants this year among my roses (my two favorite scents together) and they are just starting to bloom. I also replaced a plant that I lost over the winter and it has not bloomed yet so I may have a bit more Lavender to harvest before the season is over.
    If you dead head your Lavender you might get lucky and get a second yield. It hasn't always worked for me but I have had some success with that.
    Lavender likes a fairly dry, sandy soil and it is important to let the soil dry out before watering again. I actually forget about watering mine sometimes since it is separate from the rest of my gardens and it seems to thrive from the neglect. Now that's a plant I love.

   So treat yourself and plant some Lavender. Wether you decide to bake with, make potpourri or just enjoy it in your garden I don't think you will be disappointed.

  Enjoy! and Happy Gardening!!