| To make your own dried lavender flowers for | | | | them gently on a table. Try not to crunch them, |
| pot-pourri or sachets, get up early! The best time | | | | as they will be very brittle. Spread a cloth or |
| to pick lavender is before the flowers open. | | | | sheet on the floor, one that you will be able to |
| Choose a day that is going to be sunny and | | | | easily pick up later. Remove the rubber bands, |
| dry...humidity will not work. | | | | and then run each stem through your fingers, to |
| Cut the stem about 5 or so inches below the | | | | strip the flowers off and let them land on the |
| flowers. Put 12-15 stems together in a bunch and | | | | sheet. Once the stems are all stripped, pour the |
| join them together with a rubber band, a few | | | | dried lavender flowers into a glass container (a big |
| inches from the end of the stems. Rubber bands | | | | mason jar works well) and cover and store in a |
| will hold their shape as the stems dry and thin, so | | | | cool, dry place. |
| you won't lose any stems when you hang them. | | | | Dried lavender flowers can be used in sachets for |
| Slip a piece of string or twine through the rubber | | | | your closet, as the scent keeps moths away. You |
| band and tie it to make a loop. Hang the bunches | | | | can place them in dishes around the house as |
| in a cool, dry place. Make sure they are not in | | | | potpourri, or mix them with Epsom salts and |
| direct sunlight, or in an area that gets exposed to | | | | lavender oil for a nice bath treat. You can use the |
| humidity or dampness. Full drying time can be up | | | | stalks in wreath projects, or toss then in the fire |
| to three weeks or so. It's a good idea to lay a | | | | for a nice scent. There are so many craft and |
| towel or cloth under the lavender, as some | | | | bath projects you can use your dried lavender |
| flowers are bound to drop off as they dry. | | | | for...so fire up your imagination! |
| When they are dry, take them down and lay | | | | |