Growing
Lavender is a long-lived perennial with a typical productive life of at least 10 years. It grows best in dry climates with well-draining soil. Many home gardeners plant lavender not only for fragrance and beauty in the garden, but also as herbs for cooking. If you love lavender, try this perennial in your garden. They are extremely easy to plant and cultivate. The climate of our Northern California region allows most every variety to thrive.

Lavender is a drought tolerant plant, however good irrigation or adequate rainfall is important for new plants and good flower production. Lavender must be sufficiently watered during the first year or until roots are well established. Many growers recommend planting lavender in mounds although this is not necessary with well-draining soil or in very dry regions. Do not allow the roots to stay wet as this may cause root rot. Place plants in a sunny location with neutral to alkaline soil (6.0 to 8.0). Add lime to amend acidic soil; sandy loam is an ideal growing medium.

Prune lavender plants in the late fall to maintain their shape and to keep the plant from becoming woody and sprawling. Prune plants leaving only 1-2 inches of green leaves. Good pruning will prevent breakage and woody stems as well as stimulate new growth.

Harvesting
For a fresh bouquet, pick blossoms when 1/2 of the flowers on the blossom head have opened.

When drying the bundle for crafts or sachets, pick when very few of the blossoms are open. To preserve lavender's fresh scent for use in sachets, wreaths, and potpourri, hang the flowers from their stems to dry. Bundle lavender about an inch in diameter with a rubber band. Hang the lavender bundle upside down in a dry, dark location, as the darkness preserves color. In humid areas, reduce the bundle size to approximately 25 stems to prevent mold.

Let lavender dry for 1-2 weeks until there is no moisture remaining on the stems or flowers. Use for dried floral bouquets, sachets, or culinary use. After approximately one year of exposure to light, the color of lavender diminishes, although the buds remain fragrant. Turn the year-old lavender bundles into sachets by rolling the bundle of flower heads between your hands to remove the buds from the stalk. Remove leaves and stems from loose buds and enjoy in potpourri or in sachets.