Our Favorite Tips for Using Dried Lavender

In Kentucky, lavender has a pretty short bloom time. On our farm, the blooms have opened, the bees have sucked out all the wonderful nectar they could, and the buds are turning brown. They still have quite a wonderful scent and we will soon be cutting what remains to use in our products. If you attended our tea, or came for our first "you cut" event, we hope you have enjoyed your beautiful, fresh lavender. If you haven't already, it's probably time to hang it upside down to let it dry out. Once it is dry, you can still enjoy it for many months! Dried lavender is not only beautiful, but also useful! Here are some of our top ideas for using dried lavender.

1. Turn your dried lavender bundle into a focal point in your home by simply putting it in a cute clear or painted mason jar tied with string or raffia. It's simple and perfect for bringing a touch of early summer into your home. You can lightly rub the buds between your fingers to reinvigorate the fresh lavender scent! (photo from pinterest).
2. Separate your dried lavender and tie it around a pillar candle. This would be so pretty on a long farmhouse table with several sizes of candles! (photo from pinterest).


3. Once your lavender has dried, you can easily debud it by using your hands. Just firmly (but not too firmly) rotate a small amount between your palms. Be sure you are holding it over a box or some type of container. Once debudded, you can put the dried buds in a small sack and store them in your drawers, or use them in a homemade recipe, like bath salt.

4. Wear it! Did you know lavender jewelry is a thing? It is! These little vials are just so cute and I can only imagine how nice it would smell to open up the lid and take in a deep breath of lavender when stress or headaches hit!

5. Make something to help you remember your time at The Lavender Farm at Woodstock! Use buds from your visit to fill an empty ornament you can hang each year on your Christmas tree. We do this with places we've visited and each year I love unwrapping each ornament and reliving the memories that come with it. A lavender ornament would be a great addition to your tree.

6. If you have culinary lavender, try a shortbread cookie recipe or  lavender ice cream for a unique summer treat that is sure to wow your family or your guests!

7. Make your own tincture. While you may not have enough buds, not to mention the expensive equipment, needed to distill lavender essential oil, you can still make a tincture from your buds. Just crush your buds and place them in a tall bottle. You can then fill the bottle with vodka, witch hazel or lightly warmed oil (like almond, olive or sunflower) and let it sit for about 7 to 10 days. The longer it sits, the stronger the smell! After the desired amount of time, remove the buds and stalks and strain the oil through a cheesecloth. You can use the tincture in cleaning products, your bath or many other things.
We'd love to hear what you're crafting with your dried lavender. Please drop us a note to let us know, or better yet, share a photo with us on Instagram or Facebook. We love hearing from all you fellow lavender lovers!
With love,
Allison