Harvesting and Drying Lavender

[@rhondawelker6742]

Thank you, Heidi. 😃

[@Alextodd007]

Hello Rhonda

[@rhodaneader9008]

Another excellent video. Thank you. 😊

[@arizonajo2791]

I was so grateful to find this video before my lavender started to bloom. I have always found the leaves quite fragrant also, but didn’t occur to me to harvest them also. Thanks!

[@cindyp.9030]

Glad to know I can use the leaves also. I am still having problems finding the right location for my lavender but will keep trying. Thank you for the information.

[@annphilbeck5174]

Rosemary is my favorite. I put the dried lavender in Olive oil. let it sit about 6 months. strain it and put it in bottles. smells so awesome. I used to spend so much on lavender oils.

[@racheal74]

I just got one of those little pumps. Thank you

[@Wildevis]

INsummer I make an infused Lavender tea, with flowers, leaves and stems, let it cool and put in spray bottle and use as a mosquito repelleant. Works like a charm and smells good as well

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

When I'm out in the garden I sometimes grab some lemon balm and catnip and rub on. I'm always thankful, amazed and tickled with what has been given to us! 🙌

[@Wildevis]

@@trishthehomesteader9873 I agree Trish, I also pick fresh and rub on me, Rosemary as well

[@kleineroteHex]

You can tie the thick stems and put them in the car😊

[@morningflowerB]

Try chocolate and lavender tea. It's delicious!

[@return2basics242]

Thank you Rain! I just LOVE your channel! So many times I have a question, this is where I end up for the answer lately. Working with herbs & cooking on a woodstove with cast-iron is my latest interests, even if im not quite ready to jump in head first. I like to know what im doing before I commit to it. BexarPrepper is my go to for canning usually, Half Acre Homestead, Doug & Stacey, ... oh goodness.. I shouldn't start naming channels. I'm leaving out dozens more that also deserve a great big shout-out! Anyhow, thank you all for all the time & effort you put into doing videos to help educate the rest of us. It's an extremely valuable resource that so many more people need to be taking advantage of while we've still got the chance to learn in this format. Imagine going back to having to go to a library to look everything up, write it down by hand, and then try to figure out what the author meant sometimes when a simple short video SHOWS you exactly what that person was intending to describe in words only. That day is coming so learn as much as you can NOW as fast as you can, and practice it!! So that "book knowledge" becomes memory knowledge.

[@maria_w311]

Hi Heidi 👋

[@justjenn9011]

Oh, i love lavender. I planted some of my own seeds that i harvested last fall and i planted them in late winter so that they could stratify. But i got 5 nice little bunches. They smell heavenly now. Im sooo happy that I chose to research it and learn how to properly grow it from seed. But this video is very useful to me because im gonna have alot of it by the end of this season. Thanks for all you do! ✌🏼❤

[@his-sweetie]

Thank you. I have many lavender plants. I never do a good job at harvesting because it makes me sad to take them away from the bees. Mostly because I know my place may be the only organic places they can go. I did get some, just not too many. Cutting back now for another flush.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

The more different flowers you have blooming at different times of the year, the less you need worry. Borage is super easy to grow and one of their favorites. It sows seeds everywhere and I mostly let it grow where it wants in the main garden as it draws the bees in and they love it

[@his-sweetie]

@@RainCountryHomestead Very very true and I definitely have a vast variety🤷🏼‍♀️

[@marilynbirch6345]

Thank you Heidi. I infuse my lavender in oil for skincare purposes

[@Queenie-the-genie]

I just tie bundles of them and hang them upside down like any herb - lavendar dries pretty quickly. Thanks for all you great videos.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, this is a good way do do all herbs if you do not life in a high humidity climate like we do and/or have a great amount of herbs to dry, I would run out of places to hang them! haha

[@malapoyo]

I wish I could just bundle & hang them to dry. You are blessed to be able to do it that way Kathleen. WAY easier to just hang it. 👍 I tried doing it like that before, with other stuff, and it all mildewed on me. 😒 But I'm on the Oregon coast and EVERYTHING mildews here. 🤷

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, that is what happens here too. So hanging herbs to dry this way here only wastes them and I am not about doing that!

[@ediemurray1692]

Ty

[@lynettetucker544]

🌞Good morning Heidi I’m planning on getting me a dehydrator know that my garden is really growing pretty good this year can’t wait to start thanks for sharing.

[@karenlester2185]

We were just at a lavender farm and found out the French lavender smells stronger and the English lavender tastes better. We bought one French and three English.

[@susanolson4486]

I'm just learning about herbs, and different plants and weeds that are medicinal. So, I was just thinking the other day, "I hope Heidi does her medicinal videos to show the best time and HOW she harvests them, and if they regrow after harvesting". And, look! You read my mind!! 😍 (I've been nervous to cut back my echinacea, thinking the flowers won't grow back.) Thank you SO much!! I learn so much from you in so many areas. 💚

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

I tried lavender the last 2 years in different locations but they started off good and went downhill fast. I’m getting ready to move the 2 plants I have left to a spot they may like more. I made 3 lemonades for my daughters wedding- regular, raspberry and lavender. I didn’t know you could eat the leaves so I hope mine can be saved. Thanks for the info! Many Blessings!

[@honeybee2356]

Oh the lemonade sounds yummy 😋🤩

[@kleineroteHex]

I had 5 or 6 lavender plants that did rather well last year, for the first time. Only 2 came back this year. Before they never grew for me. Did a little research and found they like poor but well draining soil. No wonder they died in my compost garden soil.

[@honeybee2356]

Your Lavender looks so wonderful. God bless 🙏🏼💜

[@judyg9889]

I separate all the parts, because I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with the leaves & stems but I can't bear to throw any part away! It's a little fussy, but I just do it while relaxing & watching some KZbins. :) And yes, I actually just hung up bundles instead of dehydrating and it worked very well because I'm on the eastern "dry side" of Oregon.

[@gladysmaroue9167]

You're so resourceful that no man can ever say she didn't make her own money or find her own way can Eve

[@dalegaa4094]

I didn't know that lavender leaves could also be eaten. I've only been drying the flowers to use in tea blends.

[@WateryTarty]

My sister planted a bunch of lavender a couple years ago. Last week I dried a full (packed) half gallon of flowers. She almost cuts it down to the ground and usually gets three flushes of flowers a season. Took me two hours to clean the lavender and load the dehydrator. Personally can’t stand the smell but it’s very useful and others seem to like it. Thanks Heidi....love your videos.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

"Watery Tart" Does that mean you throw swords at people and make them kings? haha!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

O, and thanks for adding the bit about cutting clear to the ground, I have considered doing this but am always a bit nervous. So I start but cutting back a little at a time and see what it does. Some of the outer sections I have cut completely back. I can already see new growth coming on the sections I have cut clear back to the bare branches.

[@WateryTarty]

Lol yes, but I had absolutely nothing to do with what we have going on now. I swear!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It just made me laugh. To me that is one of the most quotable movies so I love the name!

[@loboalamo]

Thank you. I wondered about trying lavender leaves in cooking. I like lavender and black tea together with a little honey and vanilla. Hot, but cold is better yet.👩‍🌾🥧

[@LuckyFigFarm]

Such an amazing plant

[@chrismaryb.7409]

Thank you Heidi 😊

[@MichaelR58]

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@WendyK656]

I love Lavender tea, and I make a cake and muffins with lavender. Heidi, I don't use the stems! love the lavender to help with stress too. I like the lavender with a mint tea too. I have been dehydrating herbs too. I hear Cody saying Hi to me! 😂😂or maybe it is his sister Luna😛 Heidi, you always have great information!! Thank you

[@ceciliafuentes3299]

Just started growing lavender, they are babies, but they look promising.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Heidi! 🙂 I got that lid set in a few days ago and I'm happy with them. This ol fart probably won't be using the pump but it's good as a backup. ☺️ Love and blessings! 💜

[@scentsbyemebathbody3161]

I just finally got my lavender going this year .. 💕🏡 Lavender is so beautiful !

[@alicecowan3499]

Loved this video. I definitely need to get me a hydrator. I also have what looks the same blouse that your wearing. Many blessings to you 👍🏼💜💜💜

[@joycewedel9084]

Ty. I would love to make some lavender perfume.... Maybe in rubbing alcohol & water. I like the smell more than the taste. I would also like to use it to make deodorant, shampoo & lavender vinegar for a hair rinse. Maybe I can try to copy Dr. Brenners or Dr. Jacobs.

[@VondaInWonderland]

All the time God is good. Idk how you do it all 😭 you are an amazing woman. I need to start harvesting my lavender too, I just let it grow, I'll definitely get on it. I managed to squeeze a 1/2 gallon of grapes for wine last night, I'll squeeze more today. Idk if the fermenter that I started a week ago was fizzy enough, but I followed your directions so it must be right, I poured in 2 cups of natural brown sugar. when should I see it start to bubble? Have a blessed day ♥

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It should start to bubble in a few days but I am a bit concerned about the use of brown sugar. High mineral sugars can slow or prevent a good fermentation so hopefully your sugar is not too high in minerals. This is why I do not use coconut sugar or brown sugar in any of my ferments

[@VondaInWonderland]

@@RainCountryHomestead Oh noooooooo, I hope that I didn't ruin it

[@RainCountryHomestead]

If it does not start bubbling after a week, it could be the sugar but if it does start bubbling within the week, it should be fine.

[@VondaInWonderland]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you, at least it's only a 1/2 gallon

[@sherriestes-erwin1908]

Hi and question. Do you have or will you make a video of how to dry herbs and flowers naturally? I dont have money to but a dehydrator and I'm praying my lavender comes up well this year (it's my 1st time growing it) thank you soooooo much for sharing all of your wisdom. Bless you and yours

[@RainCountryHomestead]

If you live in a dry climate, unlike us, you can simply gather, tie, and hang them to dry. But there are other methods too that I cover in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4Ssioh3faZ6hsU

[@joycewedel9084]

Maybe I can use my hot dog tongs to get that lid off easier from that kit

[@TheSpinmonkey]

Do you rinse and dry herbs before dehydrating if you intend to use them for food or tea?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I only rinse them if I believe they need it

[@TheSpinmonkey]

Thank you. I have a nice big lavender plant. Now I feel confident about harvesting it!

[@happygolucky2223]

What does "aerial parts" of plant mean exactly? I saw that term in a book as well. Does it mean all parts above the soil?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Aerial refers to all parts "in the air" so in other words, all parts above ground.

[@carolbergman-defilippo1214]

Are all types of lavender plants edible?

[@happygolucky2223]

Can you please show us where you cut the lavender plants exactly when harvesting so that it doesn't hurt the plant and grows flowers? I'm uncertain on that and I dont want to harm more growth.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I did show where I cut mine in the photos I included in the video, maybe you missed them? However, I have found I can cut it back much farther, even down to the dry branches that have no green and it will grow again from that point

[@tammywhite9229]

This is my first year growing lavender. Should I harvest or wait til next year. It’s not super thick.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Any suggestions on how to keep dust off hanging herbs. Mine get too dusty to use by the time they are truly dry??

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Though humidity is the main reason I do not hang my herbs to dry, dust is on of the other reasons. Maybe keep a low fan blowing on them? This would also speed up drying time

[@annphilbeck5174]

what material do you have in your trays.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZOxi5h3hK2nsJY

[@cindiwatson5415]

I can’t grow lavender. I have tried so many times.

[@Alextodd007]

Hello cindi

[@vivianyerton7937]

Have you heard Amazon instructions to sellers to stop provide Mylar bags effective August 5th 2022?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I think someone said something about it recently but I do not recall who or where

[@dianedazzle241]

They will still sell the plain silvery ones.

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Which one lavender plant variety would you buy if you could only have one? My climate is very similar to yours.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

English lavender

[@arthurleslie9669]

Is there ever a time you would powder your dried lavender for use?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

One could powder it and add to salves that way but that is not my personal preference

[@HP-sx5gv]

I can never get my lavender to grow it always starts turning brown and yellow at the bottom in the pots 😟

[@brianlapoint545]

I there by chance a natural herb solution to eye drops for red eye/ dry.?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yarrow or fennel tea cooled down are good options

[@brianlapoint545]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you for your swift reply. I will have to looks those plants up. It is cool because as I am learning more about apothecary my children are just as interested as I share the cool stuff I learned. YHWH Yahuah or Yahweh gave us the herbs of the Earth to learn and explore with Him. Lessons I learned from cannabis as is all herbs must be used responsible and honorable balanced way. When I was immature in my younger stupider days of living I would overindulge. I always liked that saying with alcohol, to much and you will be kneeling to the porcelain god. Thankfully it didn't take to many of those to control my drink intake. Thats what cool about apothecary is it really has to be tweaked to each person. This is why small dose at first is so vital. Anyhow I am rambling and just wanted to thankyou for the knowledge you share in a simi -lost vital to humanity art form. Shalom

[@brianlapoint545]

@@RainCountryHomestead The Yarrow plant looks similar to hemlock to me And Fennel look like Parsley or dillweed.

[@katebarton7134]

Please know that lavender grows at 6000ft and lavendin grows below that altitude. Lavender is better for your heath

[@RainCountryHomestead]

While I have a few different varieties, I do grow Lavender and I am not up that high.