How to dry lavender for use in pot pourri / sachets etc?

AlexRed

Hi

Have lurked on this forum for a while and have gained lots of Old Style tips which have helped me immensley as we as a family live on a tight budget. I planted some lavender this year which is starting to flower and would like to make draw / cupboard satchets with some dried lavender as I have a fitted wardrobe that smells of damp frequently in the winter despite constant airing and cleaning with bleach. Also thought I could make some Christmas pressies of decorated sachets of lavender.

Could anyone tell me how to dry lavender to use like this?

bizzylizzy

Thank you for asking this, I would like to do this too

Patchwork_Quilt

I believe you pick before the flowers are fully open and hang upside down in a warm airy place until dry. Unfortunately, I have never had enough lavendar to do it. Good luck.

Tigsteroonie

This takes me back to my youth! Yes, as the poster above says, cut long stalks just as the flowers are starting to open. Tie a bundle together with string, and then hang upside down in your airing cupboard. If you're worried about bits dropping, then cover the heads with a brown paper bag - though you will probably only find one or two bits drop, normally you have to rub the dried head to break off the lavender "petals" for use.

meritaten

love lavender and even a few stalks dried can exude a really powerful smell.
the best time to gather lavender is when the weather has been dry (like now) and the flowers havent fully opened (though it isnt a disaster if they have). gather the stalks into bunches and tie with string (or wool or whatever is handy). then hang upside down in either an airing cupboard or a dark dry place. if you have a dry place which isnt dark then put the bunches in a brown paper bag. leave for at least six weeks. you can then use the bunches either as is or break them up for pot pourri. or strip the flowers off and make lavender bags.

AlexRed

Thank you so much for your advice, I will harvest some tomorrow, great to know that the weather conditions are perfect at the moment for this. The flowers are just starting to open so will get out there and pick away!

Thanks again, much appreciated.:j

[Deleted User]

Where my brother lives in rural France the locals all have big pots of lavender usually situated by or near to the kitchen door as it apparently detracts any flies from coming into your house

AlexRed

Hi Jackie O :wave:

Thank you for the great tip, as it happens we are having problems with lots of pesky flies in the house at the moment as have been keeping the back door open because it's so warm so the flies have been coming in that way. Will move my lavender pots so that they are by the back door!

Pink.

Hi Alex,

This earlier thread has some more tips that may help:

Drying Lavender

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the advice together.

Pink