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Dawn
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| Posted: June 19 2007 at 8:33am | IP Logged
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Our lovely lavender is blooming  and I need some advice on how to harvest it. I would like to preserve it in some way so I can use it in crafts or cleaning and such. If you have any suggestions for doing this - how you harvest the lavender (and when) and what you do with it - please share! 
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: June 19 2007 at 11:10am | IP Logged
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I just cut it and let the blossoms dry for a few days and then I put it in a Ziploc plastic box thingy. It stays fragrant and I use it throughout the year.
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MichelleW
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| Posted: June 19 2007 at 11:28am | IP Logged
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I harvest before it blooms and just let dry. I use the buds in cooking and in the laundry. I use the stems as air freshner.
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Michelle
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 19 2007 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
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Definitely cut the stems with the flowers, not just the blooms. There's a great book called "The Pleasure of Herbs" by Phyllis Shaudys (and her other book "Herbal Treasures") that have loads of ideas for herbs. The first book has instructions on making lavender wands, but there are also various instructions on the internet, such as here.
I used lavender in my floral bouquets and table decorations at my wedding. We just picked the long stems and put them in the tall flower buckets. It didn't matter if they were still pliable or dry.
The leaves are actually very fragrant and can be incorporated into a potpourri besides just the blossoms.
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St. Ann
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 7:34am | IP Logged
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I have hung a bunch of lavender upside down in the closet and in the attic. One loses various buds, but not that many. I have also sewn little pillows or sachets and filled them with dried buds. If you cross stitch a little flower or nice pattern on one side of the pillow it makes a lovely gift. We put these in the drawers with woolen clothing. I have always heard that moths don't like lavender!
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marihalojen
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| Posted: June 26 2007 at 9:55am | IP Logged
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Good Crafts and recipes here. My favorite lavender craft is a Wand, very fun to make, though I never considered using it as a fragrant fire starter!
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Dawn
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| Posted: June 26 2007 at 10:15am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone for the advice and ideas. I cut a bunch of it and hung it over my kitchen sink with a gingham ribbon - very pretty! Now my next question is, there is still LOTS of it in bloom, and I do not want to have it go past. If I cut ALL of it - will more grow in its place?
JennGM wrote:
| The leaves are actually very fragrant and can be incorporated into a potpourri besides just the blossoms. |
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Yes, I noticed the leaves are actually the most fragrant part!
St. Ann wrote:
| I have also sewn little pillows or sachets and filled them with dried buds. If you cross stitch a little flower or nice pattern on one side of the pillow it makes a lovely gift. We put these in the drawers with woolen clothing. I have always heard that moths don't like lavender! |
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I am hoping to do this and start now making small sachets for holiday gifts. Would you recommend felt or cotton for the sachet material?
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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St. Ann
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| Posted: June 27 2007 at 3:24am | IP Logged
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Dawn, I have only used cotton, so I have no expierience with felt, but I would think that cotton breaths better therefore letting more scent out.
I wish I had a digital camera and could post some photos of our projects. I find the typical off-white cross stitch material with larger squares great for childrens' projects. Your boys might even enjoy doing it.
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Stephanie
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missionfamily
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| Posted: June 27 2007 at 5:40am | IP Logged
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Now cut a buncj and hang it on the tub spout...lovely lavendar scented baths for weeks!
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Colleen
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hylabrook1
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| Posted: June 27 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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Ooh, Colleen! Makes me want to go and cut some lavender and then have a bath.
Peace,
Nancy
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Topic: Lavender help?
