Learn How to dry lavender, hang flower bundles or spread them on screens in warm, dark, well-ventilated area. Drying takes 1-2 weeks faster drying, use the oven
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Preserving Your Lavender Bounty: A Guide to Drying Methods
After spending the season nurturing your lavender plants to maturity, it’s incredibly rewarding to finally harvest those aromatic purple buds for your own use. But to enjoy your homegrown lavender year-round, you’ll need to dry the fresh-cut flowers properly to extend shelf life while retaining colour, fragrance, and oils.
Getting the drying technique right ensures you’ll have an abundant supply of lavender until the next season’s harvest. The goal is to gently draw moisture from the buds without losing volatile oils that provide the signature scent. Follow this guide to discover the best practices to hang drying, air drying flat, and oven drying techniques. We’ll cover tips like optimal temperature, duration, storage, and how to get the most out of your dried lavender. With the right drying method, you’ll preserve your lush harvest for crafty and culinary creations all winter long.
Hang Drying Lavender
A traditional way to dry lavender is air drying
tied bundles or wreaths:
– Cut stalks around 6 inches long and gather 7-10 stems together.
– Tie stems with twine, rubber bands, or fabric strips into small bundles.
– Attach bundles using hook wires or hangers in a warm, dry, dark room with airflow.
– Leave space between bundles and don’t pile them.
– Drying time is 1-2 weeks. Test bundles for crispness before removing.
– For wreaths, shape pliable wire into rings and wrap/attach lavender stems.
– Use muslin cloth or similar to loosely cover bundles to prevent dust settling before fully crisp.
Hang drying preserves the colour and scent of your homegrown lavender.
Air Drying Lavender Flat
Spreading lavender stems in a single layer dries the flowers quickly:
– Cut stems and remove leaves. Lay on mesh drying
racks without overlapping.
– Place the cloth on top to prevent dust settling while still allowing airflow.
– Position racks in a warm (90-100°F), dark room with low humidity.
– Lavender dries best at a slanted angle rather than fully flat.
– Turn flowers halfway through drying. Test centre stems for crispness.
– Flat drying time averages 5-7 days.
– Alternatively, dry in an oven on low heat. See more details for this below.
– Monitor closely to prevent over drying before buds become brittle.
Flat air drying lavender thoroughly preserves colour, fragrance, and essential oils.
Oven Drying Lavender
For fast, convenient drying:
– Arrange flower spikes and leaves on a baking sheet in a single layer.
– Prop the oven door slightly open at the lowest temperature setting.
– The ideal oven drying temperature is 100-125°F. Any higher it risks burning off oils.
– Rotate trays and check buds every 10-15 minutes to prevent scorching edges.
– Lavender is fully dry in 1-3 hours following this method.
– For microwave drying, place buds between paper towels and microwave in 1-minute increments.
– Always watch closely as microwave times vary widely based on wattage.
– Microwave drying takes 5-8 minutes total.
Oven and microwave drying offer the fastest methods when needed, though require vigilance.
Getting the Most from Your Harvest
Follow these tips to maximise enjoyment of your dried lavender:
– Craft soon after drying to take advantage of optimal scent.
– Use within 1 year for cooking, tea, hydrosol, or occulted extraction.
– Monitor wreaths and arrangements, removing faded flowers promptly.
– Refresh any potpourri by adding a few drops of lavender oil.
– Blend older dried lavender with freshly dried to craft projects.
– Add buds or arrangements to gift bags and boxes for added aroma.
– Display arrangements out of sunlight to gradually release oils.
– Place sachets in clothes drawers only 6 months at a time.
– Avoid crushing woody stems to increase the duration of use.
With proper techniques, your lovingly grown and dried lavender provides years of crafting and enjoyment!
In conclusion
mastering the art of drying lavender with care is essential to make the most of your aromatic lavender harvest. Whether you choose the traditional hang drying method, the flat air drying approach, or the quicker oven drying technique, each method has its merits. Hang drying preserves the color and scent, flat air drying ensures fragrance and essential oils are retained, while oven drying offers speed and convenience.
By following these methods and tips, you can extend the shelf life of your lavender, allowing you to enjoy its beauty and aroma throughout the year. From crafting to culinary creations, tea, and more, your homegrown lavender can add a touch of nature’s charm to various aspects of your life.
Remember to use your dried lavender within a year for the best results, and don’t forget to refresh potpourri and add it to gift bags and boxes for a delightful aromatic surprise. With proper techniques, your lovingly grown and dried lavender becomes a timeless source of crafting and enjoyment, connecting you to the beauty of nature season after season.
Finally…
Now that you’ve learned the art of drying lavender with care, it’s time to put your knowledge into action. Start by harvesting your lavender blooms and choose the drying method that suits your needs best. Whether you’re an enthusiast for crafting, cooking, or simply enjoying the soothing aroma of lavender, your efforts can go a long way.
Share your lavender drying journey with friends and fellow gardeners, and invite them to join in the fun. Consider creating beautiful lavender crafts, experimenting with lavender-infused recipes, or crafting thoughtful lavender gifts for loved ones. Remember, the key is to use your dried lavender within a year for optimal results.
As you embark on this lavender-filled adventure, explore new ways to incorporate this fragrant herb into your daily life. And most importantly, continue nurturing your lavender plants, as the cycle of growth and harvest will reward you with nature’s charm season after season. Happy lavender drying!
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