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Garden Gate:  Lavender Harvest...  |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 10:22:57 PM
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Well I am just about finished with harvesting my lavender....'cept one row which I am leaving for my little bee friends...
I have so many funny bees and it amazes me how they follow me from one bush to the next. They even 'visit' the cut lavender in my wheelbarrow....
Now to dry & de-bud and then have fun with my lavender.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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AlyssaMarie
True Blue Farmgirl
287 Posts
AlyssaMarie
Palouse
Washington
USA
287 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2009 : 10:51:11 PM
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Hi Ladies! I bought a lavender plant at my local nursery this spring and have it in a pot on my front porch. It's blooming beautiful and smells wonderful. At what point do you harvest the flowers for drying? Is there a way to properly split the plant to get it to grow into 2 or more plants? When/ how should this be done? I do have a greenhouse, should this be where I put my lavender plants over the winter? I live on the Palouse in WA so I've got fairly similar climates to you both. I'd appreciate the advice. Thanks!
AlyssaMarie @ Link'd Hearts Ranch
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 7:23:34 PM
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hey AlyssaMarie,
As you know, lavender is a wonderful drought tolerant plant,,,and while it can be potted it really needs to go in the ground.
You do not divide lavender plants like a risome, but you can propergate them quit simply by cutting a 3" piece, dip it into rooting hormone and put in a small pot of potting soil, then keep watered/barely moist...it will send off new roots...but don't plan on puting the cutting into the ground until next year after all danger of snow is gone. My suggestion is to root at least 1/2 to a dozen stems incase you loose a few.
As for the flowers, cut them in the morning. You can pick/cut them just as they are starting to flower....then use a rubber band to wrap them together to dry. When I have only a few bundles I would hang them in the guest bathroom to dry...but now that I have 116 plants I have to use a larger area as well as a framed screen to put the little pieces on to dry.
As for where to store your lavender for the Winter, just make sure the pot doesn't freeze,,,I would suggest that you keep it in the house somewhere....especially the cuttings and then next year get them in the ground.
After this past horrible Winter & the deer trodding on my plants, I am surprized my plants survived...but thank goodness they did!
Good luck & have a wonderful time w/UR lavender.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 10:57:33 PM
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Grace, I still have the bouquet of lavander you had on the table at farm fair, on my nightstand.
I miss my big patch of lavander that I had at the house I just moved from. The new house I am moving to has no lavander plants, yet. I will enjoy yours this season! Thanks!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2009 : 11:10:34 PM
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Julia,
So happy you are enjoying the lavender...I can't imagain a home w/o at least one small bundle of it...
It was so nice to meet up with you @ farm fair....wasn't it a great weekend?
I ran into the Tofu Vendor "Tofu Phil" that was at Sundays Farm Fair lunch. I ran into him over in Newport at the little Lavender Festivle that the community had. Gee, there is a surprize, a local lavender fest & guess where you will find me! lol!
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Greyhound Mom
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
57 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2009 : 07:08:36 AM
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And another thing about Lavender...Did you know that according to old folk lore, if you plant it (with a sprig of Rosemary) at the front door of your house it keeps away bad spirits and negativity! Or maybe it's just the wonderful scent of Lavender that we all love!
"The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth, and we have a sacred duty to protect her and return thanks for the gifts of life." |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2009 : 11:30:30 AM
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I love little bits of wisdom like that, Barbara! Thanks for sharing!
Grace, I bought a Bonnie's lavender plant from Wallyworld and planted it in my garden this spring. It's grown some, but nothing much else. Should I be patient? Are you cringing over me buying it from Walmart?
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2009 : 10:47:07 PM
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hey Cherry, Wallyworld is the only game in town where i live unless i want to drive 25min into Spokane....
bonnies has a good reputation....
Lavender is pretty much a hearty plant, it doesn't like it's toes to get soggy, so make sure you are not over watering it but do keep it slightly moist...Lavender is a arid plant but even arid plants need water. Sometimes they have slow growth periods...I have several that are just being lazy while the majority of my plants are growing like gang busters...so be patient and just enjoy...in 2 years your plant will be huge and abundant.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 16 2009 : 10:50:12 PM
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oh and Barbara, Victorian ladies use to plant Lavender, herbs and scented geraniums near the front doors of their homes..so as they walked up the path & into their home their skirts would bump the plants, releasing the plants sweet scents..
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 12:14:19 AM
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It is also great to plant some near your roses. Keeps the nasty, rose eating bugs, aka lice, away!
And remember to cut the plant down till there is only a touch of grey leave left.NOT all the way down, just a few inches above the wooden part. That way they will grow better next year, give more flowers and won't be as bushy then. many (if not most??) people either don't cut them down OR cut them down too much. Just a one or two inches of grey needs to be left on the plant. I always cut them down in a sorta round shape. And they bloom longer and you don't have to buy new plants that often. But you need to buy new ones after a couple of years anyway. The older plants get too woodsy whether you cut them or not. But cutting them will delay the buying new ones a lot :).
OH and my house smells wonderful! All my lavender is cut (almost duh) and drying as we speak. Did I tell ya I love LOVE lavender !!
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Edited by - dutchy on Jul 17 2009 12:15:24 AM |
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Greyhound Mom
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
57 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 05:52:01 AM
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Cherry...you are so right! I love that idea and that scent of Lavender is just so relaxing! I've written earlier that I have a lot of English and French Lavender bushes that have been growing nicely for the past 7 years now. They are bushy and produce the most beautiful stems. Living in SW Pennsylvania, where we can get some tough Fall and Winter weather, I am very faithful about harvesting the stems and trimming back in February. But, something new has happened to my Lavender bushes! It is true that they grow bushier every season and more beautiful, but this year I have little sprouts growing up all over the place!!! And I am talking about not near my plants! I am so excited about this! I would be beside myself if I could just grow only lavender and roses in the front of my cottage. Maybe with these new sprouts and a little luck from my Garden Goddess...it will happen!!!
Barbara ~
"The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth, and we have a sacred duty to protect her and return thanks for the gifts of life." |
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Desiree
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Desiree
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 7:18:02 PM
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I enjoyed reading all your thoughts about lavender. I harvested 2 of my 5 plants last week. On my blog I just posted my first tutorial.
It is a craft project with lavender flowers. If you have time check it out and let me know if it makes sense. Thanks!!
Simple Living With Nature........Farmgirl #157
www.beyondagarden.blogspot.com
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 17 2009 : 9:31:39 PM
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Guess where I am going tomorrow, Grace? Sequims Lavender Festivial. I have always wanted to go, and now that I am close...2 of my daughters and little grandson are going with me. Can't wait!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 01:45:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Desiree
I enjoyed reading all your thoughts about lavender. I harvested 2 of my 5 plants last week. On my blog I just posted my first tutorial.
It is a craft project with lavender flowers. If you have time check it out and let me know if it makes sense. Thanks!!
Simple Living With Nature........Farmgirl #157
www.beyondagarden.blogspot.com
Desiree, love the tutorial and the project. What a great idea, thanks!! As a matter of fact I bought 2 spheres last week, just because.......THIS is a great project to use them, lol
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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Greyhound Mom
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
57 Posts |
Posted - Jul 18 2009 : 12:02:14 PM
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Desiree...I loved your blog! And the pictures you included are gorgeous! The lavender spheres are a great idea to use up leftovers...I'll make a few this weekend! Thanks so much!
Barbara ~
"The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth, and we have a sacred duty to protect her and return thanks for the gifts of life." |
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Desiree
Farmgirl in Training
48 Posts
Desiree
USA
48 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 7:54:28 PM
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Thank you for checking out my blog and letting me know your thoughts. Much appreciated. I'm glad you can use the information.
Simple Living With Nature........Farmgirl #157
www.beyondagarden.blogspot.com
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 19 2009 : 10:54:53 PM
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hey Julia, how was Sequim???? I am so green or should i say purple w/envy...I have been up here 2 years now and still ahve not made it up to Sequim....for their lavender fest...I did go to tje lavender fest over in Newport last weekend...
Hey Desiree, great ideas....
p.s.ladies, don't forgert to use your dried lavender stems too! bundle them together & use as 'fire starter' in your fire pit.
lavender hugs to you all.
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 12:44:37 PM
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Grace, It was wonderful! There were so many lanvender vendors the fragrance almost would put one to sleep! The fields of endless rows...absolutly gorgeous!!!! Came home with a couple bunches of "Royal Velvet", so beautiful!!!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440 |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 8:29:30 PM
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I was going to pick my lavendar, but the hummingbirds are enjoying it so much, I'm leaving it for them. Guess I need to plant some lavendar for me now, lol.
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
Planting Zone 4
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 20 2009 : 10:35:38 PM
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T.S., haha! I have to laugh,, I harvested all but 1 1/2 rows...which I left for the bees...I too am a softie for the critters & insects of the garden....I figure in about 1-2 years my lavender will go hog wild, but for now i still get a great harvest.
Julia, I am soooo envyous of your visit to Sequim....I have 2 variety from Sequim, "Sharon Roberts & Melissa" that are doing wonderful. Hmmm I will have to check into the "Royal Velvet"....
lavender hugz
>^..^< Happiness is being a katmom.
"I've never met a sewing machine I didn't like!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Garden Gate: Lavender Harvest... |
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Lavender Harvest...
