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LAVENDER GUIDES
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Lavender is a woody bush that is available in one C of form and well-nigh all of them are spare - blooming plants which can be harvested the same way .
The actual cutting of the stems is easy , but the catchy part is knowing when to harvest and just which stems to cut .
“ How and when we glean lavender depends on how it ’s going to be used , ” says Julia Snowball from Yorkshire Lavender .
Underneath we explain these tricky share in a four - stair harvesting process :
This process is explained in more depth in each of the below steps .
1) Choose When To Harvest
Keep maintain your lavender plants as shortly they part to form bud .
This can be any time from mid - outpouring to mid - summer depending on your variety and climate .
When to reap will depend on what you ’re harvesting for , says Nick and Lyndsay Butler , the owners of Lavender Fields in Hampshire .
“ In the garden , if you are looking to dry lavender crowd , these are best pick when they are looking their best during flowering .
“ For loose lavender that will be used for thing like lavender bags , it is good to wait for the lavender to pop out to become grey .
“ This means that the lavender will have built up more oil in the flowers and will provide a better odor . ”
Julia has similar rules for harvesting :
“ For culinary lavender , we ignore the flower just before they are fully open , ” she say .
“ For express the essential oil , we need to reap the lavender just after the flowers have conk out over , as at this stage , the oil content is at its highest .
“ However , for craft work , we cut the lavender just before the flowers have gone over . ”
Alternatively , for harvesting loose lavender , when you see that around 40 % of the buds have blossom , it is time to harvest your lavender .
“ In the garden , hold off until a third of the flower have opened and gone over , a third are open and a third are yet to open up before beak lavender for drying , ” say Charlie Byrd , possessor of Cotswold Lavender .
“ This more often than not gives the honorable results and perfume . ”
2) Pick Your Stems
harvesting lavender in the former good morning and no afterwards than mid - forenoon , if the plants are in a positioning where they get morning sun .
On each works , blue-ribbon shuck that mostly have buds opening into flowers .
Do not take stalk with only bud or only flowers in full bloom .
ensure you do n’t take too many from any one plant .
3) Harvest Sprigs Cleanly
trend each stalk with a pair of mini secateurs , or scissors if you opt , making a clean swing with a individual snip .
Stems should be write out 5 - 6 atomic number 96 above the woody part so that 2 - 3 sets of leaves and some green bow are left behind .
“ I commonly get asked to deliver straggly lavender , ” shares Horticultural Consultant Colin Skelly .
“ unluckily , the plant wo n’t regenerate from a cut woody stem , so often it ’s a case of removing the flora and replanting .
“ This should be followed up with annual pruning , just above the woody section , to keep the plant vigorous and orderly . ”
4) Use Immediately Or Dry & Store
If your lavender has been glean for straightaway use , for floral decoration or for culinary dishes , the stalks can go straight into a vase or be put in a pail of cold weewee .
Otherwise , the lavender flowers will need to be dry .
“ Spread the stem on a well - ventilated surface area out of direct sunlight for dry , ” says Charlie .
Lay out the stems generally on a tack of newspaper or a ledge with an open design in a cool , black and ironic room .
Alternatively , you could bind stems to make little bunches using string or a rubber band , and attend them vertically from the stems , flower side down , as Julia parcel :
“ We make small bunches of the swing stems and attend them in a cool , dark and windy place until all dry , ” says Julia .
Nick and Lyndsay also commend this method :
“ Hang your lavender bunches upside down at room temperature for 3 - 4 week . Do not dry out them in an airing closet , as they will dry out too quickly and go very brittle . ”
After the bloom are thoroughly dry , they may be burn from the stems and store .
“ Once ironical , you’re able to fret the bloom from the prow and expend them for potpourri or lavender bag , ” Charlie suggests .
One style to stash away them is in airtight mason jars .
Be trusted that the flower are well and in truth ironical , as seal and storing damp flowers will likely go to moulding and disintegrate .
“ Always keep dry out lavender in a cool , dry seat , ” says Julia .
