How to Dry Lavender

 

The best time to cut lavender is before the flowers are fully opened. This will ensure they fall off the stems easily and retain their lovely fragrance. Do not cut the lavender when the flowers are wet with dew or rain, or they will retain too much moisture and go mouldy.

Cut the flower heads with stems about 8 inches (20cm) long, although some of my stems were much shorter at about 5 inches (13cm). Make sure that all the flower heads are together and that the bundle is about ¾ inch (20mm) in diameter. With the bundle held tightly together in one hand, crisscross the raffia down the stems with the other. Tie a bow in the raffia to hold it firmly in place. Cut the bottom of the stems to the same length, then hang the bunches in a warm but not hot, dry place, away from direct sunlight. I also tried placing some bunches on a wooden frame or you could use a rectangle of muslin stretched over a frame. You will need to turn the bunches every few days to allow for even drying.

After about 3 – 4 weeks you will find the lavender flowers start to fall off their stems. Gently rub or shake the bunches so that the dried flowers fall into a bowl or on a tray. Store the lavender in labelled glass storage jars in a cool, dark cupboard. The dried lavender will last all year, filling bags and pillows, until the next harvest.

 

From The Handmade Blog
Lavender is one of the easiest evergreen shrubs to grow in a sunny border or container. Without almost any help, each plant will produce masses of highly scented flowers above green or silvery-grey foliage.
Over the last couple of years I have changed the layout of my garden, and as lavender is a shrub that works well by the coast, I have included about a dozen plants in the new design. My lavender plants have thrived in this year’s summer heat, producing masses of highly scented flowers. So, I thought it was time I had a go at making my own lavender sachets for my linen drawer.
But first I need to dry the lavender…