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Lavender's Utility:
Drying Lavender Bundles
What are you going to do with all that lavender? I get that question all the time and I respond by saying I'm going to make all the things you see in my farmstore. For many of those products that starts with harvesting and drying my lavender.
This is the time of year you may want to harvest and dry your lavender for latter use. What you are aiming for in a dried bundle is one that maintains its color and shape for a long time, does not shatter, and is aromatic. Picking your flowers at the proper stage of bloom makes a significant difference as does having a drying area with plenty of space to suspend bundles upside down, with good air circulation and little to no light. My barn area in which I hang my lavender is so dark, I am constantly bumping into things. The point is to avoid light that will discolor or fade the lavender.
Suspending bundles upside down will result in nice straight stems and full bundles. Whether you are drying one bundle or hundreds, you need a dark, dry place such as a pantry, attic, dry basement, or a shed.
Bundle your lavender with a rubber band and hang to dry. Make sure the bundle is not too large because sweating or any moisture in the plant can mold if it is too hot (hence the circulation). So small bundles are best. To make a hook, open a paperclip to make a 'S' shape and attach the bundle from the rubber band to a wire or screen. I used to hang a long chain from the ceiling when I first started growing lavender and then clip the paperclips into each of the oval chain links - a stunning pillar of lavender. It's functional and makes a beautiful long cascade of lavender when it is full and doesn't take up much room. Now that I have a great deal of bundles to dry I use cattle panels that are suspended from the ceiling of my barn.
The level of humidity in your area will affect your drying time. In dry climates or an air conditioned home I think it usually takes 6-7 days. You might also consider a dehumidifier if there is moisture in your home or shed. I keep oscillating fans on my drying bundles to prevent moisture build-up and facilitate air circulation.
Make sure it is completely dry before removing it from the drying area and check inside the bundle to be sure there is no mold. I was in a store in Lansing recently and noticed all the lavender bundles they had on display were terribly molded - very unsightly.
Once dry take them down and store in a plastic tub until ready to use.
Happy Drying!
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