When we planted our Las Cerezas Vineyard at our home, Markus planted a row of English Lavender along the Graciano. Every year I have a lavender picking party. It’s best to pick at dawn or dusk when the bees are sleepy from all that delicious pollen! I like to tie it with rubber bands and hang it upside down to dry. Try to pick your lavender before it goes to flower, once it blooms the buds don’t retain the same intensity of essence and begin to deteriorate more quickly.

There are a few types of lavender to choose from. The English Lavender is what people use for fragrance and crafts. The Spanish lavender is beautiful but doesn’t have the same aromatic qualities. Did you know that the name “lavender “comes from the Latin word “Lavare” which means “to wash”?   

There are many uses for lavender. My favorite “go to” is to use the dried buds to freshen up my rugs and vacuum cleaner! Just sprinkle the dried buds on the floor, smoosh with your feet and vacuum it up!

 

Another easy idea is to make it into cute little sachets! Just purchase some colorful clear sachet bags and fill them up. They make great gifts!

If you want to get more crafty, make a lavender “wand” by folding the fresh lavender and weaving with ribbon. These were made in Victorian times to sent your wardrobe drawers and can last for years! Just google “How to make a lavender wand”. It’s really easy!