We are often asked that question. And the answer is, the right time to pick
depends on your use.
For cooking or aromatherapy: Pick when flower heads are 1/3 to 1/4 open.
For dry bouquets and sachets:
Pick when flower heads are 1/3 to 1/2 open.
For fresh Bouquets:
Pick when flower heads are 1/2 to totally open.
For essential oil: Pick when approximately half of the flowers on the stem have withered.
Pick lavender when the sun has dried the morning dew and not the heat of the day.
To Dry Lavender: Bundle
your lavender bouquets with a rubber band and hang them upside down in a dark
well ventilated place. The darkness helps the lavender retains its color, and
drying upside down helps the lavender retain it blossom shape. Your bouquet should be dry within a few
weeks.
Fresh lavender placed in water will get moldy fairly quickly,
so change the water frequently. Once placed
in water lavender will not dry well.
You can read more about growing, pruning, harvesting and crafting with lavender in Sarah Bader's The Lavender Lavender's Handbook. Available to purchase in our Lavender Market on the farm.
