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Garden Gate:  Lavender Lavender Lavender  |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 11:48:49 AM
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Over the last 10 years I have slowly added lavender plant after lavender plant. I have lost a few and gained a few that rooted in funny little places. They are all in full bloom and I took a minute to count them...21 in all. I traded a lady at a farmer's market lavender (one for one) lavender wands for plants last year and got 4 of them to plant along the walk to the house. You brush against them as you come to the door. When you open the gate it rubs against lemon balm. Guess who's making lavender wands today. Any buds that fall get dried and mixed with mint for lavender mint tea. Sigh, my garden is THE best therapy there is! I hope all you farmgirls out there are as happy with your gardens right now, too.
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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dutchy
True Blue Farmgirl
4427 Posts
4427 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 12:37:26 PM
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I love lavender, will have to see whether I can buy it here too...sure hope so :)
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Hugs from Marian/Dutchy
http://pinkprincessinthailand.blogspot.com/ |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 1:13:33 PM
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I agree, Amy, gardens are a great therapy. My hubby can continue planting things all day. I end up having to water everything. LOL.
Enjoy your garden.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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erowease
True Blue Farmgirl
294 Posts
Lesley
Edmonds
wa
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2012 : 5:50:29 PM
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Lavender and Rosemary are two of my most successful plants. My thyme is bloom now. I have a goal to have as many varieties of lavender as I can but some of the varieties haven't done as well but I keep trying. One time I made raspberry jam with a sprig of lavender, it came out pretty good. Also enjoy lavender sugar in my tea. This year I am trying a stevia plant and I am going to mix it with lavender after drying to see how it turns out.
Lesley
#2950
"I see God in the eyes of every child...every life is precious to God, whatever the circumstances." Mother Teresa |
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Jeanna
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
Jeanna
Franklin
NC
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Jun 04 2012 : 07:32:01 AM
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I adore Lavender. I haven't got my herb garden established here where I live now so right now I have 2 plants planted in big pots out by the mailbox. I have a brick flower raised flower bed in the front of my house that is planted with Lemon Balm and three different mints. I love the smell of them all. I have to admit I do not like the taste of lavender but I do like the look and smell.
Enjoy your time in the garden.
Jeanna
Farmgirl Sister #41
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau |
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Bella
True Blue Farmgirl
274 Posts
Karen
USA
274 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2012 : 11:05:21 AM
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I love lavender, too. I think it's my favorite herb. If it's happily rooted, it doesn't take long for it to get gigantic. IMO, there's nothing quite as fragrant and soothing as the aroma of lavender.
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
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thebyrdhaus
True Blue Farmgirl
520 Posts
Patty
Columbus
Oh
USA
520 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2012 : 7:31:16 PM
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I LOVE lavender! I have huge plants at our home in Ohio, but am having to start all over here in Illinois. It will take a little while. But Oh my yard smells so good!
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2012 : 03:27:44 AM
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I also love the ease of lavendar. I have been able to share plants with other gardeners and that makes me so happy. Everyone seems to love it once they start growing it.
Marianne |
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jollyquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
WV
USA
251 Posts |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2012 : 5:13:45 PM
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Oh... I'm envious now...envisioning all your lovely lavender plants!!  I bought some seed earlier this year, but I don't have much luck starting seeds (seems I ...forget... to water them, lol). Maybe I'll have to give it a go anyway. Probably not too late since the growing season down here is pretty perpetual. Any tips? :)
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt
www.jodielyzabeth.blogspot.com
Soap Shop:
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2012 : 09:57:02 AM
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Lavender? did someone mention lavender? lol!
I have 125 plants on the frton of my properety and have started 12 plugs in my garden (trans planted erant starts from my lil lavender field... and I have 4 plugs started by the posts to my balcony...
I luv it when my kitties rub up by my plants... my kitties smell heavenly.
Our "Rats with Antlers" (deer) won't eat it,,, but they do have a tendency to walk over & sometimes split my plants.... dang "rats'...
As for what to do with lavender.... there are soooo many things,,,from disenfectants, to calmers, to craftes to culinary.... Oh & I like to combine my dried lavender buds w/ dried Chocolate mint leaves for a yummy tea.... Just type in 'Lavender' in your search & you will be overwhelmed with all the things one can do with lavender.
But best of all, I like sitting out on my bench in the middle of my little field, and watch the industrious bees getting high on lavender nectar... Someone out here is getting incredible lavender honey in their hives!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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erowease
True Blue Farmgirl
294 Posts
Lesley
Edmonds
wa
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2012 : 1:24:07 PM
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Love it that looks like an ideal spot!
Lesley
#2950
"I see God in the eyes of every child...every life is precious to God, whatever the circumstances." Mother Teresa |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2012 : 2:42:36 PM
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| Holy cow, Grace! That's a gorgeous crop you have there. I'll bet it smells fabulous. |
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delicia
True Blue Farmgirl
917 Posts
delicia
cincinnati
ohio
USA
917 Posts |
Posted - Jun 14 2012 : 7:31:40 PM
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| WOW Grace, how wonderful for you. I would be embarrased to show my 1 lavendar plant with a few scraggly stems. How do you do it? I love lavendar but, have not had much luck getting it to grow. |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jun 15 2012 : 08:52:05 AM
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hey Delicia,
Simply, lavender loves a warm/hot sunny location,,,, do not over water and it hates for it's roots to sit in soggy or clay soil.
We have sandy loom/dirt mix... I only water 2x a week so I let it dry out in between waterings (I do water a bit more often when the weather gets over 90degrees.)
Pruning is the other key factor... mine will re-bloom all summer long if I keep on top of the pruning..
When I lived in SO. CAlif. my lavender bloomed nearly all year long ('cept the dead of Winter)... up here in
E. Wash., it only blooms from late June to Sept... so I get 2 good harvests of cuttings.
These past couple years have been hard (weather)on us so I have had to re-plant/replace plants due to weather damage etc..but in the end...still worth it.
My suggestion is to plant (in a nice large pot that has drainage) a lavender plant that you can move around and water easily... then you can bring it indoors in the Winter... It should last about 5 years...
Even just rubbing ones hands on the leaves makes for a wonderful scent.
Don't be afraid to plant anything,,, it's all about trial & error... your yard is different from your neighbors,,,so what they grow may not grow well in your own yard...crazy huh!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Roe
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Rosemarie
Tavares
Florida
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2012 : 03:55:41 AM
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This was amazing to see the lovely lavender! Help
what do I keep doing wrong with mine Killed one and
the other one is not doing well HELP!
Hugs,
Roe |
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JerseyGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
181 Posts
Michele
Southern NJ
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2012 : 04:49:47 AM
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| OMGoodness, Grace! You're in lavender heaven!LOL I only have 2 plants, on either side of my shed..I'm almost ashamed to say that after seeing all of yours! |
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mrsamy
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Amy
Milwaukee
WI
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2012 : 05:56:48 AM
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Well, lavender is a well loved herb isn't it! To make the lavender wands prepare yourself to make a mess and tie your fingers together the first time if you are anything like me. Gather a bunch of lavender stems (I like to use about 21 stems...makes 7groups of 3, you'll see why that matters later). Strip all leaves and put an elastic band snugly just under the buds. I like the clear little ones in the hair supply area. This is where it gets tricky. Tie a long length of ribbon around the band and turn the whole shebang upside down so you are hilding the buds in one hand and the stems straight up. Now imagine you want to make those stems look like an umbrella frame...take the ribbon snugly wind it around every three stems gently bending them outward. When you get around the bunch you will have 7 groups of three stems each (see). Now that you have them in bunches, weave over under over under each group gently forcing the stems to bend down over the buds. Again, imagine an umbrlla closing over the buds. Keep going until you have just a bit of stem left. Another tight clear elastic band on the end. Tie the ribbon around the band, add a loop for hanging. I will post pics later. It is a challenge, but if I can figure it out from a picture, you can do this too! It is so worth trying at least twice. :)
Prayer costs nothing, but is worth the most. |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 03 2012 : 10:21:08 PM
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Roe, you may live in a to humid area for lavender....it is it's happiest in dry arid locations...so if it's very humid or rainy,,, you may have to search for a species of lavender that is a little more water tolerent.... The species I grow do well up here but the type I grew back in SO. Calif. probably wouldn't do as well. But don't give up...maybe a potted plant on a sunny windowsil is the best solution for you.
Amy, so glad you are going to post photos... I have made them but inveribly manage to break a couple of ends. I have started to gently press the stems gently before I bend the stem over the buds, it works a bit better for me, most of the times. Thank goodness you & I have plenty of plants to practice on! :>)
.JPG)
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Roe
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Rosemarie
Tavares
Florida
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2012 : 5:31:09 PM
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Hi grace,
Thank you so much for explaining that to me yes I'm sure now that's what the problem
Must be. But your right I wont give up now the last one I planted was under a tree but
A lot of sun so we shall see. I will keep you posted so far so good but I must say your lavender is amazing. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Hugs,
Roe |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2012 : 7:12:13 PM
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The trick to making wands is to pinch the stems in your fingers for a few minutes to heat up the stems. Once the stems are warm, you can gently bend them without them breaking. I weave dozens of wands every summer. A friend taught me that trick. It's also best to only pick a few stems at a time because they dry out rather quickly which will also cause them to crack.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
http://farmsteadfripperies.blogspot.com/ |
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katmom
True Blue Farmgirl
17161 Posts
Grace
WACAL Gal
WashCalif.
USA
17161 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 9:56:26 PM
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Hey Sherri, did you get to go to the Newport Lavender fest last weekend? Once again I missed it... bummer!
I hope to get up to Squime one of these days too!
Thank you for the tip about 'warming up' of the stems...
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2012 : 11:35:35 PM
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No, I didn't make it up there. It's not far from me either. I had my son and his wife up here helping me to cut down the knap weed - I had gotten a letter from the county weed police so I had to get it taken care of. Maybe next year. Mine is just starting to come into full bloom. Once I finish up my strawberry jam, I will be on to lavender harvest.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran
http://farmsteadfripperies.blogspot.com/ |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2012 : 06:20:09 AM
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| What is now known as the Newport Lavender Festival use to be held at a beautiful farm right on the Pend Oreille River. The rows of lavender looked like they went right into the river. They had beautiful flower gardens on the property too. I can't bring myself to go to it now that's it's held in the city park--just doesn't seem the same. I've been to the one in Sequim and it is quite the experience--you almost get lavendered out: ) The trick is to go early later in the day or weekend there is quite the traffic jam. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2012 : 7:59:08 PM
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The lavender pictures are beautiful. Just seeing them makes me want to plant lavender.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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jollyquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
251 Posts
WV
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - Jul 14 2012 : 3:25:10 PM
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Thanks for the tutorial on the wands. I bet they smell wonderful. I just had a lady give me a whole pot of lavender. I do not know what kind just that it is lavender. Can you tell I am excited? 
www.StuffByKim.etsy.com
http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
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Garden Gate: Lavender Lavender Lavender |
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Lavender Lavender Lavender
