I got a late start on harvesting Lavender this summer. I did that on purpose: I wanted to leave the flowers as long as possible for the bees. If last year was a helpful indicator, we should have another harvest in the fall, and I’ll ensure I harvest these on time. Harvesting Lavender on time means starting when the flowers bloom, but leaving food for the bees was more important during the summer. Have you ever wanted to grow your Lavender and harvest it? If so, you’re in luck! Maryland is the perfect place to do just that. With its mild climate and long growing season, it’s no surprise that this state is excellent for Lavender cultivation and harvesting. Let’s look at what it takes to harvest Lavender successfully in Maryland.
We have hundreds and hundreds of Lavender plants on the farm. Lavender provides a source of nectar for pollinators and is a featured ingredient in our Peace of Mind collection. You may only have a few bushes in your garden, but processing the blooms will be the same! Here are our most helpful tips for harvesting Lavender.
Harvesting Lavender must be well-timed.
The best time to harvest Lavender in Maryland is in early summer when the flower buds are fully formed and beginning to open. This usually occurs between late June and early July. To determine if your plants are ready for harvest, check the color of the flowers—they should be light purple with deep purple tips. Additionally, the stems should snap easily when bent. If all of these criteria are met, your plants are ready to harvest! This chart illustrates flower blossoms In Maryland.
Harvesting Tips
Harvesting Lavender requires tools like hand pruners or scissors. Start by cutting off stems near the base of the plant, leaving some leaves behind so that new stems can continue to grow later on. It’s important not to cut too close, or you may damage the plant’s root system. Once you have harvested all of your stems, bundle them with twine or a rubber band and hang them upside down in a dry, excellent spot out of direct sunlight until they dry completely (this can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks).
- Harvest before sunrise. During the season, you expect new growth if you don’t cut the spikes too close to the plant. For the final harvest of the year, cut spikes close to the plant shaping plants in mounds to prepare for the winter.
- Cut in bunches to make it easier for tying and drying.
- Tie your bunches as soon as you cut them to keep everything tidy.
- Wrap in bunches using a thick rubber band. Thin rubber bands break.
- Create a “drying rack” by installing hooks in the ceiling of a cool, dark, and dry room. Attach a single row of chain links from the ceiling hooks to create the drying rack.
- Insert a paper clip under the rubber band as a hook for hanging your Lavender.
- Hang Lavender upside down in a cool, dry, dark place and let dry for 2-3 weeks.
Drying and Processing Lavender
Once the waiting period is over, you may begin processing your Lavender. To do this, lay down a clean sheet, tarp, or paper to catch the Lavender buds as you roll the bundles between your hands. You may find that crunching or shaking the bundles helps to remove the most buds.
Sift through the Lavender buds and pick out any sections of stems, leaves, and large particulates you may find. You may also find small bits and pieces of other plant material, so pick that out when you see it.
- Remove flowers by rubbing Lavender bunches as if you are trying to start a fire with them.
- Collect flowers and store them in an airtight container.
- We store our dried Lavender buds in the freezer for future use.
- Store in a cool, dry, dark area.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Harvesting Lavender
- Decide what you are doing with the Lavender flowers to determine the best time to harvest
- Cut in bunches to make it easier to tie and dry
- Tie bunches as soon as you cut them to keep everything tidy.
- Wrap in bunches using a thick rubber band. (Thin rubber bands break.)
- Create a “drying rack” by installing hooks in the ceiling of a cool, dark, and dry room.
- Attach a single row of chain links from the ceiling hooks to create the drying rack.
- Insert a paper clip under the rubber band as a hook for hanging your Lavender.
- Hang Lavender upside down in a cool, dry, dark place and let dry for 2-3 weeks.
- Once the waiting period is over, begin processing your Lavender on a clean sheet or tarp to catch the Lavender buds as you roll the bundles between your hands.
- Sift through the Lavender buds and pick any stems, leaves, and large particulates.
- Remove flowers by rubbing Lavender bunches as if you are trying to start a fire with them.
- Collect flowers and store them in an airtight container
- Store in a cool, dry, dark area
- You may freeze the buds for later use
Lavender Uses
Once your Lavender has dried, you can use it in various ways! The most popular use is as an essential oil which can be used for aromatherapy or as a home fragrance; however, there are many other ways you can utilize this versatile herb! In cooking, dried lavender buds make an excellent addition to sweet dishes such as cakes and cookies, while fresh sprigs can be added to salads or herbal teas. Dried flower heads also make beautiful decorations for wreaths and potpourri sachets.
Harvesting Lavender in Maryland is easy and fun! With its mild climate and long growing season, this state offers ideal conditions for cultivating this fragrant herb. All you need is a pair of scissors or hand pruners, some twine or rubber bands, and patience while waiting for your bundles of freshly cut herbs to dry completely before using them! Once dried, there’s no limit on how you can use your homegrown Lavender—so start harvesting today!
FAQs
What is the Best Time of Day to Harvest Lavender?
Harvest as the sun rises after the dew has dried but before it’s so hot that the plant will burn in the heat of the sun, If it is particularly hot, as it is most of the time here in the south, we plan our harvest before the sun rises. If you prune properly, cutting spikes two inches above the bark, you will see regrowth before fall. At the final harvest of the year, cut spikes close to the plant shaping plants in mounds to prepare plants for the winter.
How Do You Dry Lavender?
• Cut in bunches
• Tie bunches to keep everything tidy.
• Wrap using a thick rubber band. (Thin rubber bands break.)
• Create a “drying rack” by installing hooks in the ceiling of a dry room. Attach a single row of chain links from the ceiling hooks to create the drying rack.
• Insert a paper clip under the rubber band as a hook for hanging your Lavender.
• Hang lavender upside down in a cool, dry, dark place and let dry for 2-3 weeks
• Once the waiting period is over, begin processing your Lavender on a clean sheet or tarp to catch the Lavender buds as you roll the bundles between your hands
• Sift through the Lavender buds and pick any stems, leaves, and large particulates
• Remove flowers by rubbing Lavender bunches as if you are trying to start a fire with them
• Collect flowers and store them in an airtight container
• Store in a cool, dry dark area
• You may freeze the buds for later use
It depends on how you are planning on using Lavender flowers. If you are distilling Lavender for hydrosols it’s best to leave the flowers on the plant for as long as possible. This provides the bees and butterflies with the most food for the season, and the longer the flowers stay on the plant, the more the oils build. If you would like, you may harvest only a section of your plants— just as the flowers bloom for ideal drying lavender, and leave balance flowers for the bees and butterflies, and distilling for a later date.
