Lovely
Lavender
Tis the
season for lavender - grow it, harvest it, buy it, dry it and use it.
This beautiful, fragrant perennial herb has been used for centuries
to soothe, heal, scent, and flavor. Add extra color to your garden and
enjoy the many benefits of lavender.
Lavender's
Legacy
Native
to the Southern Alps, peasants of that region used lavender oil medicinally
as early as the 1500s. Thriving in such a hot, dry climate at high altitude,
fields of true lavender were planted in Provence in the early 1900s.
The hybrid Lavadin was soon created for cultivation at altitudes
below 700 m.
Today lavender is grown near and far, readily available at your local
nursery for your own garden. If you prefer to purchase lavender, there
are many online sources for stems, oils, dried flowers, etc.
Growing
and Harvesting Lavender
Lavender
will grow in zones 5-8. It loves the sun, loathes humidity. Lavender
is susceptible to root rot, so be generous with spacing the plants (especially
since some will become quite large in time) and make sure the soil is
well drained by amending with coarse sand or small gravel. With the
right conditions, lavender will prove to be hardy and drought tolerant.
Harvest lavender on a dry, sunny day in the morning. For bouquets, cut
stems when 1/3 to 1/2 of flowers have opened. For drying, cut when about
3/4 of flowers have opened. Prune plant (after flowering or in the Spring
- each method is recommended) to about 2/3 its original size, leaving
about two inches of green growth.
Using
Lavender
Fresh lavender is lovely in bouquets. If you have a penchant for weaving,
create "lavender wands" (look for directions on the Internet).
Lavender can also be used to make a soothing tea. Pour 1 cup of boiling
water over 1 teaspoon of fresh flowers; cover and infuse for 10 minutes.
Lavender tea can relieve headache, insomnia, and bad breath.
Dry lavender
by wrapping the bottom of a handful of stems with a rubberband, then
hanging upside down in a dark, dry location for about a week. Use stems
in dried floral arrangements or wreaths.
Uses
for the florets (rub dried lavender between hands to remove):
1. Cut circles of tulle, fill with florets, and tie with decorative
ribbon to create sachets. Place in drawers, closets, even your automobile
to add its delicious scent. Lavender also keeps moths away.
2. Place loose in decorative dishes in rooms as a deodorizer.
3. Incorporate lavender into craft projects: soaps, candles, etc.
4. Make a cloth pouch, fill with lavender, and stitch closed. Add it
to your dryer when drying linens.