Lavender

Get The Most Out of Your Lavender from Backyard Eats

Harvesting Lavender

When It’s Ready
  • Lavender is ready when the plant begins to send up flower spikes
  • Flowers can be harvested midsummer
  • Harvest no more than one-third of a plant at a time to allow continued regrowth
  • Harvest at any time of the season
How To
  • Cut with scissors or pruners about one-third down the length of a main stem
  • Or clip off an entire branch
  • Pruning or harvesting midsummer is essential to maintaining a healthy looking plant
  • Without pruning, lavender will form a woody and leafless center

Growing Lavender

Lavender is a herb with a sweet, floral, and slightly minty flavor. It is widely used in culinary and medicinal applications, particularly in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Lavender is typically used as a seasoning or garnish, and can be added to sweet and savory dishes alike. It pairs well with a variety of other ingredients, including lemon, honey, and rosemary.

Storing Lavender

Air Dry: Hang to air dry, or place in a well-ventilated area and turn often.

Dehydrator or Oven: Dry in the oven below 200F. Visit Spiceography for more detailed information.

Cooking With Lavender

  1. Lavender Lemonade: Infuse lavender flowers in lemonade for a fragrant and refreshing drink. Simply steep dried or fresh lavender flowers in hot water, strain, and mix the lavender-infused water with lemon juice and sweetener to taste.
  2. Lavender Shortbread Cookies: Add dried culinary lavender buds to a classic shortbread cookie recipe for a delicate floral twist. The lavender adds a subtle aroma and flavor to the buttery cookies.
  3. Lavender-Infused Honey: Combine dried or fresh lavender flowers with honey in a jar and let it infuse for several days. The floral notes of lavender beautifully complement the sweetness of the honey, making it a delightful addition to tea, yogurt, or as a drizzle over desserts.
  4. Lavender Roasted Chicken: Rub chicken with a mixture of dried lavender buds, salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting. The lavender adds a unique and fragrant dimension to the savory flavors of the chicken.
  5. Lavender Simple Syrup: Make a lavender-infused simple syrup by simmering equal parts water and sugar with dried lavender flowers. Use this syrup to sweeten cocktails, iced tea, or as a flavoring for desserts like cakes or sorbets.

Try These Lavender Recipes:

Want To Learn More?

At Backyard Eats, we’re passionate about helping our clients discover and share the magic of homegrown good. Our Harvest Guides will teach you everything you need to know to harvest, store, and cook with fresh produce right from your own backyard! Our Harvest Toolkit Directory includes a list of all our step-by-step guides. Click below to give them a try!