Lavender is one of those powerhouse plants that can be used for just about anything. If you take good care of your lavender, it’ll reward you with a massive harvest of blooms every single year. Here’s a look at how you can put those fragrant flowers to work around your home.
Cooking with Lavender
If you’ve ever traveled through Provence, you know that lavender is a staple in the local kitchen. It’s surprisingly versatile! You can use it to add a floral depth to meat and fish dishes. A good rule of thumb: if a recipe calls for thyme, lavender will probably taste great in it, too. Just remember that a little goes a long way—lavender has a very intense flavor profile.
Keep in mind that different lavender varieties contain different amounts of essential oils, which changes the taste. Not every type is a winner in the kitchen. For the best flavor, stick with English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It has a lovely, sweet aroma that works beautifully in desserts, too.
Lavender in the Bedroom
The scent of lavender is a classic choice for the bedroom. One of the easiest DIY projects is filling small sachets with dried buds. These smell amazing and do a great job of keeping moths out of your closet. Plus, lavender is famous for its calming properties. Sipping on some lavender tea before bed is a fantastic natural way to help you drift off to sleep. Interestingly, while it’s known as a sleep aid, some people also find the scent stimulating—it’s even been used as an aphrodisiac!
How to Harvest and Dry Your Blooms:
- Harvest the flowers when they are about halfway open.
- Cut the stems long so you have plenty to work with.
- Tie the stems together into small bundles with some twine.
- Hang the bundles upside down to dry.
- Choose a dark, well-ventilated spot to preserve the color and scent.
Using Lavender in the Bathroom
Lavender is a superstar ingredient for homemade soaps, bath salts, and skincare. You can mix Epsom salts with dried buds or use lavender essential oil to create your own spa-day products. These also make wonderful, thoughtful gifts for friends. With a little bit of garden maintenance, you’ll have plenty of blooms to keep your bathroom smelling like a luxury retreat all year long.
