In this post, we’ll show you how to preserve your lavender so you can enjoy its beauty and fragrance for months to come.
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Introduction
Lavender (Lavandula) is an evergreen shrub in the mint family, known for its sweet fragrance and pretty purple flowers. This beloved herb is native to the Mediterranean, but nowadays it’s grown all over the world. You can find lavender in many soaps, perfumes, lotions, and sachets, as well as fresh or dried bouquets.
If you grow lavender in your garden, you may be wondering how to preserve it so you can enjoy its beauty and fragrance all year long. Read on for tips on how to dry and store lavender.
What You’ll Need:
– Fresh lavender blooms (dry blooms will not work for this project)
– A dehydrator (or a sunny spot with good air circulation)
– An airtight container (a jar with a tight-fitting lid works well)
What is Lavender?
Lavender is an herb that is part of the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used for centuries for its calming and relaxing properties. The most common variety of lavender is English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).
Lavender has a long history of use in herbal medicine. It was used in ancient Greece and Rome for perfumes, baths, and as a relaxant. Lavender was also used in the Middle Ages to ward off evil spirits and as a treatment for various ailments such as headaches and stomachaches.
The main active ingredient in lavender is linalool, which has been shown to have sedative and anti-anxiety effects. Lavender oil also contains a compound called linalyl acetate, which is thought to be responsible for its calming properties.
In recent years, lavender has become popular as an essential oil due to its many purported health benefits. While more research is needed, some studies have shown that lavender oil can help to relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress levels.
If you’re looking to add lavender to your home or garden, there are a few things you need to know about how to preserve lavender for long-lasting enjoyment.
The Benefits of Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula) is a woody, perennial herb with an unforgettable fragrance. Prized for its beautiful flowers and striking violet-blue color, lavender has been used for centuries in sachets, potpourris, perfumes, and cosmetics. It is also a delicious addition to many sweet and savory dishes.
Benefits of Lavender
Lavender is a versatile plant with many different uses. In addition to its wonderful scent, lavender has a number of benefits that make it a popular choice for gardens and household use.
Some of the most notable benefits of lavender include:
– deterring insects: Lavender oil is an effective natural insecticide that can be used to repel mosquitoes, moths, fleas, and flies.
– improving sleep quality: The relaxing scent of lavender oil has been shown to promote better sleep and reduce insomnia.
– reducing stress and anxiety: The calming fragrance of lavender oil has been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, leading to reduced stress and anxiety levels.
– treating skin conditions: Lavender oil can be used to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, and wrinkles. It is also a natural antiseptic that can be used to heal cuts and burns.
– relieving pain: Lavender oil has analgesic properties that can help relieve headache pain, muscle aches, and joint pain.
– aiding digestion: The fragrance of lavender oil has been shown to stimulate the appetites while also easing indigestion and colic in infants.
How to Preserve Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula spp.) is an herbaceous perennial with sweet-smelling foliage and flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but grows in many other areas of the world as well. The plant typically blooms in late summer, but sometimes continues to produce flowers into fall. The main methods of preserving lavender are air-drying, freezing and pressing.
Air-Drying
Hang lavender stems upside down in a dry, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight. A garage or shed would be ideal. Expect the lavender to take two to three weeks to fully dry.
Freezing
Fill an ice cube tray with water and add a lavender flower to each compartment. Freeze the cubes and then store them in a freezer bag. Use the cubes in place of regular ice cubes in drinks or for decoration purposes.
Pressing
Place fresh lavender flowers between two sheets of wax paper and then put them inside a heavy book. Check on the progress every few days, turning the pages if necessary, until the flowers are completely flat. This process can take up to two weeks. Once pressed, you can frame the lavender or use it in other crafts projects.
Tips for Preserving Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant herb that can be used in a variety of ways. Many people enjoy its fresh floral scent and use it to make lavender sachets, potpourri, and other scented items. Lavender can also be used dried in culinary dishes and crafts. If you grow lavender or have access to fresh lavender blossoms, you may want to preserve it for long-term enjoyment. Here are some tips for preserving lavender:
-Harvest lavender in the morning after the dew has evaporated but before the heat of the day. Cut the stems at an angle about 1-2 inches from the ground.
-Bundle several stems together and tie them with string or rubber bands.
-Hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark, dry place out of direct sunlight. An unheated attic or basement works well.
-Allow the lavender to dry for 1-2 weeks until the stems are brittle and the flowers are dry but still fragrant.
-Remove the flowers from the stems by gently pulling them downwards. Be sure to catch any that fall off so they don’t get lost!
-Store the dried lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until you’re ready to use it.
The Best Way to Store Lavender
If you have fresh lavender that you would like to keep for longer enjoyment, there are a few things you can do to preserve it. Lavender is best stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. If you have a lot of lavender, you may want to consider using a dehydrator to dry it so that it will last even longer. You can also make your own lavender sachets by filling small cloth bags with the dried herb and adding them to drawers or closets for a pleasant scent.
How to Use Preserved Lavender
Preserved lavender is a wonderful way to add the sweetness of springtime to your home all year long. Keep it in a vase on the kitchen counter, use it in craft projects, or hang sachets in closets and drawers. This guide will show you how to use preserved lavender in all sorts of ways.
First, choose a method for preserving your lavender. You can air-dry it, freeze it, or preserve it in oil or glycerin. Drying is the easiest method, but it can result in color loss and some loss of fragrance. Freezing retains the most color and fragrance, but requires more careful handling. Preserving in oil or glycerin is a good middle ground, and both methods result in lovely, fragrant lavender that will last for months.
Once you have chosen your preserving method, start by harvesting your lavender on a dry day. Cut stems 6-8 inches from the ground, taking care not to damage the plant. If you are drying your lavender, tie stems together in small bundles and hang upside down in a dark place with good air circulation. If you are freezing or preserving your lavender, remove all leaves from the stems.
To preserve your lavender in oil, fill a clean jar half full with lavender buds and leaves. Cover completely with Olive Oil or another light oil such as grapeseed oil. Store in a cool dark place for two to three weeks, then strain out the lavender and pour the oil into a clean jar. To preserve your lavender in glycerin, mix one part glycerin to two parts water and pour into a clean jar filled with lavender buds and leaves. Store in a cool dark place for two to three weeks before using.
Once your lavender is preserved, enjoy it in any number of ways! Use dry sprigs to decorate vases or bowls, add a few drops of lavender oil to potpourri or diffusers, or make sachets by stitching small squares of fabric together and filling with preserved lavender buds. No matter how you use it, preserved lavender is a beautiful way to enjoy the fragrance of springtime all year long!
Lavender Recipes
Dried lavender is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes, including lavender sugar, lavender salt, lavender tea, and more.
To dry your own lavender, cut the stems just below the bloom and tie them together in small bundles. Hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark place until the flowers are completely dry (this could take up to two weeks). Once the lavender is dry, remove the flowers from the stems and store them in an Airtight container
Lavender sugar is a great way to add a touch of sweetness to any recipe. To make it, simply mix 1 part dried lavender with 2 parts sugar. Lavender salt is another easy recipe that can be used as a seasoning for meats, vegetables, or popcorn. To make it, mix 1 part dried lavender with 2 parts salt.
Lavender tea is a soothing and relaxing beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. To make it, steep 1 teaspoon of dried lavender flowers in 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes. For a cold version of this tea, steep the lavender in 8 ounces of boiling water for 5 minutes and then refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about lavender:
How can I preserve my lavender for long-lasting enjoyment?
If you want your lavender to last, it’s important to harvest it at the right time. Cut the stems when the flowers are just beginning to bloom. If you wait too long, the flowers will start to fade and the plant will begin to set seed. Once you’ve cut the stems, strip off any leaves that will fall below the waterline in your vase. Flowers preserved in this way can last for weeks.
How can I use lavender in my cooking?
Lavender is a versatile herb that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. Add it to shortbread cookies or sprinkle it on top of grilled salmon. It’s also nice in a cup of tea or incorporated into a homemade sachet.
What are some other uses for lavender?
Lavender oil is commonly used in aromatherapy and has a calming effect when applied topically or inhaled. It’s also effective in repelling insects like mosquitos.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to grow and care for lavender, as well as how to harvest and dry it, you can enjoy its fragrance and flavor for many months to come. Preserving lavender is easy and only requires a few simple steps. With a little effort, you can have fresh lavender at your fingertips any time of year!