When it comes to lavender, it's important to get the right time to harvest. Depending on the variety, this point can appear in early summer. To ensure the highest possible quality of the lavender flowers, it is also important that they are dried correctly. Lavender bushes don't produce too many flowers in their first year; the growth usually only becomes really lush from around the third year onwards. Then you can win up to 10 – and sometimes even more – lavender bunches per bush.
When and how should I harvest and dry lavender?
Lavender should be harvested before the flowers are in full bloom, usually between mid-July and early August. Cut the stems just above the woody part and tie them into bunches to dry in a dark place.
Harvest lavender before it really blooms
A lavender bunch is considered to be anything that fits comfortably in your closed fist. Lavender should be harvested before it has reached its full flowering peak. You can tell when the harvest is right when the flowers in the middle of the panicles have already opened, while other buds remain closed. This usually occurs between mid-July and early August. It is best to cut lavender flowers in the midday sun, as any morning moisture will have already evaporated by then. Wet leaves in particular can cause the lavender to mold instead of dry.
Lavender is pruned during harvest
Once you harvest the lavender, you don't need to prune it afterwards - after all, it's one and the same process. However, you should not cut the inflorescences later than the beginning of August, because after that the lavender needs its strength to survive the winter. Lavender that is pruned in the summer often develops a second flower, but in our latitudes the lavender doesn't have the time to do this from August onwards - the cut surfaces of the removed shoots then simply freeze away.
Harvesting lavender correctly
When harvesting lavender, follow these steps:
- First, take a close look at your lavender plant. Where is the bush already woody, where do the green shoots begin?
- Using a sharp knife or scissors, cut the stems just above the woody part so that you shorten the lavender by about a third.
- The lavender is immediately trimmed so that it has an even shape.
- Pruning is important so that new flowers can form.
- Unpruned lavender becomes woody over the years and produces fewer and fewer flowers.
Drying lavender
To dry, tie the lavender into bunches and secure them tightly with a rubber band. Finally, hang the bundles upside down in a warm, dry and, above all, dark place - an attic or a garden shed are ideal. You can also spread the stems out on grids - the only important thing is that the air can circulate well. Sunlight exposure must not be high, otherwise the sensitive essential oils will evaporate. Leave the stem attached to dry. The flowers are well dried as soon as they can be easily removed.
Tips & Tricks
Not only the flowers, but also the delicate lavender leaves can be used to season numerous dishes, especially savory ones. However, if possible, only use the very young leaves, as the older ones have a rather unpleasant, soapy aroma.