Easy Steps For Drying Lavender And What You Can Do With It!

Have Lavender growing in your garden? Lavender has so many fantastic uses - why not dry it! Here's how to enjoy it's benefits year-round!

Timing is Everything

Choosing the right stage to harvest your lavender is key. But that depends on your intended use.

• If you plan to use lavender as an herb for cooking or any culinary use, it's best to harvest it when just a few flowers are open. Another clue is when you first notice the bees starting to work it.

• For bouquets and wreaths, wait until 1/3 to 1/2 of the flowers have opened.

  
  

Always harvest lavender in the morning after the dew has evaporated when drying lavender.

Drying

1. Gather small bundles and cut the stems with sharp pruners, garden scythe or scissors.

2. Tie the bundles with a rubber band or string to keep them bundled.

3. Hang the lavender upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room. This method typically takes two to four weeks, depending on the humidity in your area.

   
   

Another option is to place the lavender in a vase without water and let it dry naturally. The stems will dry with a slight bend to them!

Maintaining Dried Lavender

To preserve the vibrant color, store your dried lavender in a cool place and avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading. Dried lavender is best kept in a room that doesn’t get much humidity, however I love having dried lavender in my laundry room where it stays dry and it’s lasted for years! Occasionally, you will want to give your lavender a little dust off. Simply blow gently with a hair dryer on low heat. Doing this every so often will keep your lavender looking fresh and beautiful for longer!

Creative Ways to Use Dried Lavender

Now that you have dried lavender, the ways to use it are endless!

• In the kitchen, incorporate dried lavender into homemade syrups or infusions. For example, adding about 1 tablespoon of dried lavender to your favorite cake recipes can add an elevated twist. Or try using the buds instead of sprinkles on a cake or scones. Before using dried lavender from your garden, make sure it is an "english" lavender, or an angustifolia type lavender, these lavenders are best tasting for culinary use. Don't know? All lavender is edible but if it doesn't taste good to you, it's probably not the lavender herb you'll want to use for cooking!

  
  

• Get crafty! Use dried lavender buds to fill sachets that keep your clothes smelling fresh or mix them into potpourri blends for a lovely aromatic experience. Keeping a sachet in my car is my favorite way to use sachets!

  
  

• In décor, use dried lavender in vases or mixed wreaths. Use small posies of lavender to keep by your computer to create an uplifting desk space. Tie sprigs to jar lids as charming gifts or party favors.

  
  

• Don’t overlook beauty uses. Infuse lavender into carrier oils for skin treatments, add it to facial steamers, or create calming bath soaks. Lavender is wonderful for skin and for aromatherapy!

Enjoy your garden lavender year-round with these simple tips! Dried lavender is perfect for cooking, crafting, and self-care, making it easy to use all year long!