Harvesting and Drying Lavender

[@CATherine001]

You’re missing a huge opportunity with those lavender stalks. There’s just a beautiful aroma if you take the stalks and place them into a water bottle with spray nozzle. I use it for my linens it gives them a wonderful scent you can use all around the house. So keep the stalks in water, let them sit for a day or two in the sunshine and you have a wonderful linen mist

[@gapey]

good idea. maybe I will try that this year. I still need to harvest.

[@jayneshort2732]

Thank you my darling I will do this with my lavender

[@jhazperphresh9844]

Thank you for this!!

[@tannerjake7465]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a way to get back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost my account password. I love any tricks you can offer me!

[@tannerjake7465]

@George Rhys thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@AngelaJeanBarr]

Simple, very informative, not a lot of extra talking. Thank you for helping, I had no idea what to do with mine or when to do it. Much appreciated! 👏🇨🇦

[@kathleenteske4574]

The lavender ends make great fire starters. Dry and add a handful to your wood fire as the oil from the leaves lasts a long time.

[@gapey]

Oh that's a good idea. :)

[@valerieneal2747]

And they smell divine.....

[@amygoodmankiefer4365]

Hi There nice and clear video. I will suggest taking your dried lavender when it is time to strip it, put it into a pillow case, hold the top and whack it against the wall, you will find that the buds pretty much let go and voila, job is done and you have saved a lot of time! Give it a try!

[@dianekulback2430]

I just watched this video and found it very helpful. You get to the point and not a lot of chitchat! Thank you!

[@gapey]

Thanks. I try not to be too chit chatty. :)

[@maxinecantellow5527]

Thank you for the information . I just have one lavender bush which has really grown this year . After watching you video I know when the best time to cut & dry is. A few more days for mine as we have a sunny week end forecast . . I made lavender bags last year that everyone loved .. needless to say Lavender is one of very favourite garden fragrances on par with my roses .

[@gapey]

Awesome! Mine is just about ready too.

[@bjbonner6359]

How do you make "lavender bags"?

[@nursesheris8777]

I use a paper clip turned hook and hang them from the rubber band from my air conditioning vents or my louvre doors that are through my entry way from my living room to my kitchen it looks so pretty and smells good every time the A/C kicks on...

[@gapey]

Nice! Wish I had AC but would probably work with a fan too.

[@catnip...]

You should use elastic bands to hold them in bunches because as they dry the stems shrink and fall out of the bunches, elastic will alter with any shrinkage and still keep hold.

[@gapey]

good idea. I haven't had a problem with them falling out though they do loosen up quite a bit as they dry.

[@dorothymcleod1]

I found a way to remove the buds that is easier than stripping the stalks. I put the bunch in a pillowcase laying the bunch horizontal in the end of the case. Then I roll up the pillow case and roll the roll back and forth crunching and rolling, the buds come off quite easy. You will have to remove some stem but it works quite well. I have one pillowcase I use just for the removal of buds from year to year. I found that the string sometimes loosens and the bunch falls so I use rubber bands To hang them, I bought some large paper clips and opened one end large and left the other end small and slip the hook in the rubber band. The large open end fits over the broomstick I use to hang the bunches off of. Hope it helps

[@gapey]

Thanks for the tip! I would probably want to sleep with that pillowcase. I bet it smells good!

[@tameraalexander1249]

I do exactly the very same thing. It works wonderfully.

[@savvyvenus]

Thank you. Great video. Is it time to cut and dry?

[@gapey]

Might be where you are, I don't know but it's not quite time for mine yet.

[@sabinabaldwin4118]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing this process. This year I'm going to dry the extra leaves/stems from the bottom of the bundles. They are very useful for steam therapy during the winter months. I'll let you know how it works out... 💓🙏

[@PaulaThomasPhotography]

That sounds like a great idea!

[@ozbuncandlesupply]

I love your lavender. Great job . Our first year buds I try to keep from blooming ,it helps more root growth and more blooms for the spring .

[@_dave4460]

Paula, i tried lavender for the1st time last year. started many seeds but got only one, count em 1, sprout. i need growing tips! the idea is to grow it to invite more bees back. had a neighbor who was a beekeeper but a hurricane and odd winter after took out 20+ hives. even wild bees are disappearing though and i try to help with water sources and wildflower plantings along with veggies. i tired hysop anise but i brought a very aggressive yellowjacket of some kind and they got me one day! plan b is lavender. the lone plant has made it through this winter so far ouside in a 5 gallon planter and we’ve had low 20s another great video. so happy i found your channel

[@gapey]

lavender is very difficult to grow from seed. I've tried before and failed. If you already have a lavender plant, it's best/easiest to grow it from cuttings of an existing plant. I highly recommend borage for the pollinators. It's also edible and it flowers all summer and easily self sows itself.

[@_dave4460]

Gapeys Grub borage - got it and thanks. i’ll try the cuttings too

[@nancy9704]

You have a lovely garden! I am grateful to find your video on harvesting and drying lavender. I have three bushes. I absolutely adore lavender. Thank you so much! Do you have a video on how to make lavender oil?

[@gapey]

Thanks. glad you found it helpful. No I haven't done a video on making lavendar oil. There's different ways to do it but I do the no heat method where I just put the lavender buds in a jar and cover with oil and let sit for a month or so then strain out the lavender buds. If you want it done more quickly you can heat it up (but not too hot) to get the oils to release more quickly.

[@nancy9704]

@@gapey I saw a video about that. What's your favorite oil to use? I'm going to harvest some lavender tomorrow. Thank you for answering my question. :)

[@gapey]

@@nancy9704 I prefer jojoba because it has a much longer shelf life than most carrier oils. I have just used olive oil before too though if I'm going to use it right away in a lotion or something.

[@nancy9704]

@@gapey Great idea. Thanks so much!

[@savvyvenus]

When is the best time of year and time if day in columbus Ohio to cut them?

[@gapey]

I don't live in Columbus Ohio so it's hard to say. It's a different growing zone than where I'm in. Not sure if they would be ready earlier or later but probably within a month of when they are ready to harvest here. Mine look like they should be ready in the next couple of weeks.

[@savvyvenus]

@@gapey where do you reside?

[@savvyvenus]

@@gapey can you recommend a good cutting tool? I see some using a hand scythe

[@gapey]

@@savvyvenus I'm in Western Washington, Zone 8b.

[@gapey]

@@savvyvenus I just use regular pruners.

[@beebeezee770]

Thank you. This was very useful.

[@OrganicBackyardGardening]

Great video - nice looking lavender!

[@lindas.martin2806]

I thought you are only supposed to cut the top third of the plant?

[@gapey]

Not necessarily. Cutting just above the woody part is ideal so you leave a bit of green. You don't want to cut below that or it likely won't grow back.

[@nathaliewright6422]

Should the lavender be rinsed before being tied up for drying?

[@gapey]

I've never rinsed it.

[@lunardarlin]

I live in Texas and my lavender is blooming already. I’m confused on whether I’m supposed to full on prune it given that I keep hearing to prune in August but they’re blooming now. Should I just get the shoots off for now and prune hard in August and is it possible to get second blooms in the summer? Thanks for the video!!

[@gapey]

you should be fine cutting the shoots off now and then prune it harder in the Fall. You might get a second bloom but it won't be as big as the first one.

[@StaraGard]

Great info thanks for sharing - such an honour to have advice and experiences handed to us the present and future generations, especially now... I'm new at gardening, im guessing i did the following incorrectly: took out a full lavender bush from the roots and planted on the other side of the garden which has very hot day sun with wind early evenings, its 2 weeks now and bush is brown and dry even though watering the whole garden daily...? Please assist with a cure 🌱 Anything I can do with all the brown dry stalks and flowers? 🍃

[@gapey]

Agree. The internet is such a wonderful resource. It may have died if it's brown and dry. I've never tried transplanting a lavender but usually transplanting is best done in Spring from what I've read.

[@johntravers2321]

Could also be from over watering. Lavender typically prefers scorching full sunlight with well-draining, slightly parched soil.

[@lovingmyselfwell4569]

Heyllo! My choice is to allow the Flutterbys their fill beforeBEFOREbefore I've mine, or else I just couldn't live with myself! The blooms are still as fragrant and plentiful! I just cannot bring myself to harvest til they've had their fair share. This year I'll be using a whole new drying system! Double decker Bliss! Though I've seen a braided Hemp rope hung straight from ceiling and uncurled paperclips work very well too. WhatEVER works & to each our own ya digg! I celebrate the lot! Thank you for sharing yours! Cheers! ~X💜X~

[@gapey]

I have plenty of lavender for both me and the flutterbys. This year I'm leaving both silver mist varieties for them and only harvesting from the phenomenal. I still have a bunch from last year. I need to find more things to do with it! lol

[@hylah16]

So you only harvest the buds? I have a variety of lavender that has a bunch a little leaves on them that smell good. Do I harvest those leaves?

[@gapey]

I only harvest the buds for what I use it for. I've used the stems and leaves though for making smudge sticks.

[@Deklectic]

Yes don't waste the leaves One infinity you can use them for cooking,Tea, Sachets ect..My particular variety is very potent the most potent lavender actually they use it to make essential oils so it would be a complete waste to throw away the leaves.

[@johntravers2321]

@@Deklectic If I'm correct, the amount of lavender harvested in this video believe it or not only would make 1 drop of essential oil. It takes a ridiculous amount of lavender to get a small amount of that oil.

[@jayneshort2732]

Thank you

[@anestihatzisavvas6639]

How long does it last in the jar?

[@gapey]

As long as it's very well dried, it will last years but the fragrance strength will reduce over time.

[@whale_singer]

Have you placed the flowers in the oven to hasten the drying process?

[@gapey]

No. I like letting them dry naturally. It leaves a lovely smell in the bedroom. :)

[@BilboOutdoors]

So satisfying

[@gapey]

Glad you think so! I decided to let the bees have the lavender this year. I still have a bunch of dried lavender from last season. :)

[@abeladames3593]

The 💐 were im from smell like cream and lavender

[@gapey]

nice :)

[@Jharieltravel]

Just bought my lavender plant its already blooming and thinking how i can harvest and use it

[@gapey]

it's best to harvest it just before the flowers open up. so if they are opening now better hurry and harvest

[@kjakamura7678]

I just bought elegance purple lavender. I'm in zone 6. They are still in pot. I'd like to ask you when should I plant in ground? What type of soil? It is already June now, I don't know it's too late(?) to give it a trim, but I trimmed flowered stems today after I saw you trimming them. (It was so satisfying view somehow) please give tips of growing them step by step if you can. Thank you.

[@gapey]

I'm not familiar with that variety. You're a few zones colder than me so not sure how hardy they are in your zone. I put mine in the ground in spring time. They like well draining soil especially if you are in a wet climate. I don't fertilize them and don't water them much either. They seem pretty hardy for my climate anyway.

[@mireladelcea7495]

Wow such a big one.. How many years has the 1st one which you harvest?thx

[@gapey]

I planted all 3 of them from small plants in June, 2016 so they were 2 years old at the time of this video. They grew pretty fast.

[@mireladelcea7495]

@@gapey Thank you!do you grow lavender from cutting?I am interested in more details :)

[@gapey]

@@mireladelcea7495 I have tried a couple times to do that but haven't been successful yet. I'm going to keep trying though! I got the two silver ones from the Green Elephant plant swap in Redmond and I bought the other one from a lavender farm that I don't think sells to the public anymore.

[@mireladelcea7495]

@@gapey I am going to try it!wishing you all the best and enjoy your gardening 😉

[@sf4792]

Thanks for the video! It is very clear and informative. How do you make your lavender lotion?

[@gapey]

I infuse the dried lavender buds in oil. I think I used jojoba because it has a long shelf life but you could use olive oil. Then add the oil into the lotion recipe with other oils and an emulsifier.

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Oh I want smellavision to come to KZbin e right now. Enjoyed you video very much. Another way to tie them up is using rubberbands instead of tying with string. I went to using rubber bands instead of string after finding stems in the floor from the stems shrinking as they dried which made the tied string too loose eventually.

[@gapey]

Thanks! Rubber bands is a good idea!

[@martimusmaximus8121]

Nicely done !

[@gapey]

Thanks!

[@jmoreno1886]

I have Spanish Lavender. No wonder I don’t taste it my teas or Lavender lemonade. So I guess it’s just good for it’s aroma.

[@gapey]

Yeah I don't think there much oils in spanish lavender. English varieties are the best for teas, medicinal uses.

[@SAMMIsLIFE]

What happens if u dont harvest them in time?

[@gapey]

Once the flower buds open, you can't really use them for that purpose. You can just let the flower buds open and let the pollinators enjoy them and cut them down when they're done flowering.

[@SAMMIsLIFE]

@@gapey ok thanks, cuz i have 1 single little lavender plant with only like 4 flower buds, and 1 is already flowering but idk if i should harvest them if theres only 4 on the entire plant. Will more grow if i harvest these 4? Or should i just let them flower and let the plant get a little bigger before harvesting anything?

[@gapey]

@@SAMMIsLIFE more might grow if your season is long enough. If not, it should flower again next year

[@SAMMIsLIFE]

@@gapey ok cool, thanks!

[@xdrive300011]

Hi Beautiful. Thank you for doing the fast-forward. It saved me a lot of time. The lavender you stored in the bottle, what do you use it for?

[@gapey]

lots of things, cookies, kombucha, tea, soap, lotion, salves.

[@MalaspinaLily]

@@gapey don't you have to wash them somehow for those kind of uses, like tea? Thank you so much for your reply

[@gapey]

@@MalaspinaLily I never have.

[@meldacano1525]

Enjoyed watching the video.

[@storm3772]

Thanks for sharing

[@greenthumbshordy7782]

Wow I love the abundance

[@leahherrera8701]

Great video! Do you ever wash your lavender after harvesting?

[@gapey]

Nope, I've never washed my herbs after harvesting. It would make it more difficult to dry if they got wet.

[@Tamunett]

Now what did you do with the lavender you stored?

[@gapey]

I use it for a variety of things. shortbread cookies, kombucha, soap, lotion, salves to name a few.

[@dinabajrai4969]

Hello! Dose it have to be in a complete dark room? You also explain why some of my lavender never grow back. By any chance is there anything I can do to help my Levander since it looks funny half of them grows fine in the other half is “dead” looking.

[@gapey]

not completely dark but just not in direct sun. Too much light will cause it to fade. Not sure why half is dead looking. Could possibly be from cutting it too far down.

[@dianac2596]

Excellent video! 🙏

[@gapey]

Glad you liked it!

[@brittanyallen3193]

Do the buds still feel soft/fluffy after they are dried? I just tried to dry lavender in my dehydrator but, they don't really feel "dry" like other plants do after being dried.

[@gapey]

Yeah, I guess they are a little fluffy

[@brittanyallen3193]

@@gapey thanks!

[@michelleford9951]

I wish my lavender would grow like this

[@gapey]

Maybe you haven't found the right spot? I've tried and failed many times at growing lavender but finally after several years found a spot they really like.

[@drive67ray]

Have you got a video showing how you use it in your soap

[@gapey]

I don't think I do. I typically just grind it up and mix it in just before I pour it into the mold. I've also sprinkled some on top of the soap and lightly pressed it in.

[@0xBerto]

Can this be made directly into tea?

[@gapey]

Sure. Though I haven't tried it in tea. I should do that.

[@sofiez5900]

I have this strange unknown variety of lavender and I have no idea when to harvest

[@gapey]

hmm how is it strange? Maybe it's spanish lavender if it doesn't look like mine? Spanish lavender isn't typically used for much. It's more just ornamental.

[@sofiez5900]

Gapeys Grub it’s called evermore blue lavender. I live in Canada and bought it at a grocery store

[@stk.plantation2912]

Good friend👍

[@gapey]

Thank you 👍

[@tommyetaylor]

Were are you located? I’m in Missouri and my lavender has not ever started to send up shouts? Am I doing something wrong? Love your show

[@caellis66]

Awesome !!

[@gapey]

Thanks!!

[@danishhakim8467]

I have a question

[@CCCC-tq8yo]

Lavender always dies here lol

[@gapey]

I used to have trouble keeping it alive too but have had good success with these two varieties but it might be the location. They like well draining soil and sun.

[@danishhakim8467]

When the dry lavender falls off

[@gapey]

it doesn't really fall off by itself. You have to remove it yourself by rubbing it.

[@princessjulia5646]

So what do you do with the lavender in the jar???

[@gapey]

make soaps and infuse it in oil for salves, lotions, etc.

[@mervin72]

@@gapey Was having the same question. Do you have a video of what you do with the dried Lavender? which variety invite more bees?

[@gapey]

@@mervin72 No, I don't think I've done any videos on that. I've used it a few ways. I have tossed it in my chicken coop to freshen it up, used it in cooking (lavender shortbread cookies are awesome), and I have infused it in a carrier oil and added the oil to soaps/lotions.

[@mervin72]

@@gapey thankyou

[@danishhakim8467]

Im just worried. Because im planning to plant lavendar

[@Genevieve.Irene7]

In Provence we harvest Lavender when they finish to bloom not before. It allows the bees to enjoy of the flowers.

[@gapey]

I guess it depends what you're using it for. If you wait till after they bloom you lose most of the medicinal properties of the lavender.

[@danishhakim8467]

Does it attract ants?

[@gapey]

not that I've noticed.

[@charchark365]

The ends you cut off were usable for many things, please tell me you didn't just throw that away.... past that great vid...

[@tiinau6562]

❤✌️🇫🇴✍️🏆

[@noraluzcalugas2731]

French Lavendar🪻🌐🛡️🫶is better