Lavender may not be the first herb that comes to most people’s minds when they start thinking about what to grow, but it’s a beautiful and fragrant addition to any garden.
I like having lavender mixed with other plants in beautiful pots, as well as letting it grow in a planter on its own so I can harvest it. It’s so nice to breathe that lovely, soothing scent when I’m watering the plants. In this final post in my summer garden series of 2013, I’m going to share how to grow and harvest lavender and some ways to use it.
Growing Lavender:
- I grow my lavender in containers and it needs these main things: the right size container, adequate light, drainage, water, pruning and feeding
- The container shouldn’t be much larger than the root ball – maybe only an inch or two around – because lavender likes growing in tight spaces
- Make sure the bottom of the container has multiple holes and add a layer of gravel or packing peanuts to the bottom for proper drainage
- Lavender doesn’t like to be overwatered and is pretty drought-tolerant. Do not water daily – rather only when soil is dry
- Lavender should be re-potted yearly and you can add a time-release fertilizer to release nutrients over time
Harvesting Lavender:
- Cut the stems that have flowers, and do so early in the morning as the sun can dry out the essential oils over the course of the day
- Lavender should be pruned at the end of the season after production stops. It can be cut back to the woody stems for larger varieties, or it can be left alone and cut back in the spring to allow for new growth
Uses for Lavender:
- In essential oils for aromatherapy – you can make your own! Here’s a recipe.
- In flower arrangements or on its own to bring fragrance into the home
- In a pot of water warmed on the stove to release the scent into the home
- In marinades for meats
- In homemade soaps, candles, etc.
- In cocktails – muddled to release flavor or added at the end for garnish
- Infused into oils for cooking or use in salad dressings
- To flavor homemade liqueurs, brandy, etc. (picture below is for a lavender limoncello – recipe coming soon)
What are some other ways you’ve used lavender?