From the Plant to the Kitchen

How to Prune and Harvest Lavender

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Pruning and harvesting lavender is easy. You don't have to be scared of killing it. It is helpful, however, to understand that pruning and harvesting aren't the same thing. Here are some handy tips for pruning and harvesting lavender with some success.

Steps

Pruning

1. Learn to prune lavender the correct way. Cut back the green growth to within a few inches of the woody growth. Remove all the dead leaf matter, along with any stringy twigs and any other plant clutter.
   
2. Wait for the new growth to appear. Do not overwater or place in direct sunlight. However, do ensure that there is adequate access to light to stimulate growth.
   

Harvesting

1. Cut the lavender stems that have flowers. Do this early in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun draws out too much of the essential oils (you will want those intact to evoke the scent in your home).
   
2. Dry the lavender in bunches or on screens.
   
3. Dry and store in a cool, dark place. Some varieties are best for stems and others for flower buds.
   

Tips

• The bits you have cut off can make cuttings. Put them in a tray of soil, water them occasionally, and they should grow.
  

Warnings

• Watch your fingers. The sharper the secateurs, the better.
  

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Sources and Citations

• For a good complete article, see Lavender care and tips
  
• Lavender Oil Profile
  

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