Lavender Harvest

I have a case of lavender love. Why? Because of the aroma, because of it’s soothing qualities, because it is so beautiful and because it is so purple, I am completely enamored. I look forward to harvesting and drying the bundles every summer, because it is seriously like a spa experience in the garden. When I was a kid I couldn’t care less about lavender. I thought it was just a scent that uppity British ladies liked in their soap. Little did I know…

This all began when I spent a summer
working at the now abandoned Cedarbrook Herb Farm in Washington state’s Dungeness Valley. My brother and I had the job of harvesting lavender
on those hot summer days, cutting bundles and hanging them up in the
attic to dry. To this day I remember the smell up in that attic, with rows upon rows of lavender bundles hanging in the eaves, and it was the best aromatherapy experience
ever. We also got to help host the Sequim Lavender Festival at the farm that year, and learned about everything from lavender grill marinade to lavender healing salves. Lavender, it turns out, is not only lovely, but extremely useful. I was hopelessly head over heels.

Here in my homestead garden, I love watching bees on the lavender bushes. I feel badly cutting it all and depriving them of their lavender experience, so I selectively leave behind flower stalks for them to enjoy.

One day, I dream of having a large area planted in lavender, but for now I am content with my few bushes and my modest annual harvest. It’s always good to have a homesteading goal or two to daydream on summer days when you’re stopping to smell the flowers.