Tips for Harvesting and Using Lavender
From Susan L. Harrington of LabyrinthHill.com
Here is a simple lavender sachet hint I presented to a delightful group of
ladies (oh yes, and one man) at a local retirement community. The oldest in
attendance was 92 and what a dynamic group! This hint is especially useful
for seniors whose hands and fingers aren't quite as dexterous as they used
to be. I thought what a lovely project for a group of youngsters to bring to
a senior center!
I'm sure you all have stashed in your dresser drawers, lovely boxed
handkerchiefs that you've received as gifts over the years. There they sit,
just too pretty to use. Well it's time to use them, even recycled as gifts
for friends and family!
Iron the handkerchief flat. Often there is at least one corner with flowers
embroidered on it. Place the hanky face down with the embroidered corner at
the top. Add one to two tablespoons of dried lavender buds in the middle of
the square. Fold the hanky by bringing the bottom corner up over the buds to
form a triangle. Fold again by bringing the left and right corners of the
triangle up to the top point. You now have a small square with the lavender
buds in the bottom corner. Carefully turn the sachet over and secure the
buds by tying a satin ribbon in a bow to enclose them in the corner of the
hanky.
This handkerchief sachet is a fragrant and elegant addition to the pocket of
a jacket, tied to a bridal or baby shower gift or even hung from a hanger in
a closet (moths don't like lavender!). A small squeeze of the sachet will
release the lavender essential oil for years!
Lavender Havesting and Drying Tips
I recommend that they use
only rubber bands when hanging lavender to dry. My first harvest hung
beautifully tied up in raffia. Within days it was all on the floor as the
stems shrunk when they dried the raffia didn't! A fragrant mess, but a mess
nonetheless! Rubber bands will contract along with the drying stems. I then
over wrap the rubber bands with raffia when I prepare the bundles for sale.
By the way, the rubber bands will indeed become brittle after a year or two.
I also recommend placing a clean sheet under the bundles to catch any buds
that will naturally drop from the drying bundles. (Waste not, want not!) The
tendency to "shatter" (lose buds) occurs more often in some cultivars, for
example Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence' than in others L. x intermedia
'Grosso' (my all-time favorite for crafting).
And finally, here's another tip for removing the buds from the stems. Place
the bundle-still bound by the rubber band-into a pillowcase. Roll it up and
gently press and roll on a counter as you would a rolling pin. I then scoop
the buds out of the case and sieve out any large debris. The remaining stems
make great fire starters in the winter (remember to remove the rubber
band!). Or place a few on the barbecue coals when grilling chicken for an
aromatic lavender chicken. Placed on coals or campfire embers, the smoke
also repels mosquitoes!
About the Author:
Susan L. Harrington is growing fragrant lavender
in a classic labyrinth! She sells wonderful lavender products and dried
lavender for crafts and recipes. She also has newsletter for visitors
entitled "Of Labyrinths and Lavender"! Visit Susan at www.LabyrinthHill.com to sign up for the newsletter and see pictures
of her wonderful lavender!
More Lavender Resources
More Recipes&Tips!
Lavender Powder Recipe
Pampering Tips
Crafting With Lavender
Tips for Selecting the Best Summer Fruit
Preserve and Display your Wedding Memories
Caring for Wicker Furniture