Got a bunch of lavender growing in your garden? We’ve got some fun and creative ways to use it that go way beyond just potpourri! Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant herb that’s super versatile.
Lavender is more than just a fragrant garden plant or a staple of potpourri. Gardeners harvesting their blooms this summer are finding creative ways to use the versatile herb across the kitchen, the home, and even in beauty routines.
Let’s see what can we do if you harvest a bunch of lavender in your yard.
Adding Lavender to Your Kitchen
Lavender can bring a unique floral flavor to your dishes, but it’s strong, so a little goes a long way. Adding a touch of lavender to recipes can make late summer meals feel special, especially when the plants are at their peak.
One great way is to make a honey-lavender vinaigrette for salads. Infuse a small pinch of dried lavender into honey for a few days, then mix it with olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of salt. This creates a sweet, tangy dressing with a hint of floral magic, perfect for drizzling over fresh greens or roasted vegetables like zucchini.
Another idea is lavender sugar for baking. Grind a teaspoon of dried lavender with sugar in a blender and use it to add a delicate flavor to cookies, cakes, or even sprinkled over sliced peaches or strawberries.
The floral notes pair beautifully with summer fruits, giving desserts a fancy yet simple twist. For a calming drink, steep a few lavender buds in hot water with a squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of honey for a soothing tea. It’s light, refreshing, and needs only a tiny amount of lavender to shine.
The trick is to use lavender sparingly because too much can taste like soap. A pinch is usually enough for a whole recipe to keep the flavor balanced. Cooking with lavender isn’t an everyday thing, but these small touches can make meals stand out. Most of your harvest will likely go to other uses, but these culinary ideas are a fun way to start experimenting in the kitchen.
Sprucing Up Your Home with Lavender
Lavender isn’t just for eating, it’s a fantastic way to decorate your home. Bringing fresh lavender inside can instantly brighten a room. A handful of blooms in a vase adds vibrant color and a calming scent that fills the space.
Plus, letting the lavender dry in the vase means you can save it for other projects later, like crumbling it into sachets or crafts that hold their fragrance for months.
One lovely project is crafting a lavender wreath. Start with a base of sturdy branches, like twisted ash or willow, and tie small bundles of lavender and rosemary around it with string or natural twine.
This rustic wreath smells amazing and looks charming on a door or wall. It also doubles as a way to dry lavender for future use, making it practical and pretty. For example, hanging a wreath in your kitchen adds a cozy, natural vibe while keeping your lavender ready for other projects.
Don’t toss those lavender stems after harvesting the flowers! Moisten them to make them pliable and weave them into small baskets or bowls. Use natural twine to stitch them together, creating cute holders for keys, jewelry, or more dried lavender.
These handmade pieces add a personal touch to your home and make thoughtful gifts. These decor ideas turn your lavender harvest into something both beautiful and functional, bringing nature’s charm indoors.
Repelling Pests with Lavender
Lavender’s scent is heavenly to humans but a nightmare for pests like flies and mosquitoes. This makes it a natural, chemical-free way to keep bugs out of your home and garden.
Tie small bouquets of fresh or dried lavender and place them near windows or doorways to ward off flies. In the garden, planting lavender near entrances or sunny spots creates a barrier that pests avoid. It’s an easy, eco-friendly way to keep your space pest-free.
You can also make a lavender oil infusion to use as a mosquito repellent. Steep dried lavender in a carrier oil like sweet almond oil for a few weeks, strain it, and dab it on your skin before going outside.
It’s gentle, smells great, and keeps bugs at bay without harsh sprays. For instance, applying a bit to your wrists during a barbecue can make outdoor time more pleasant. Those leftover lavender stems?
Bundle them up and tuck them into closets or drawers to keep moths away from clothes. This is safer than chemical mothballs and leaves your wardrobe smelling fresh. Using lavender as a pest repellent is a simple, sustainable trick that makes your home more inviting while keeping unwanted critters out.
Creating Beauty Products
Lavender is a gem for natural beauty routines, letting you make your own products right at home. A simple lavender hair rinse is a great start. Steep fresh or dried lavender, sometimes mixed with rosemary, in boiling water, let it cool, strain it, and pour it over your hair after washing.
It leaves your hair soft, shiny, and lightly scented without any chemicals. This rinse is easy to make and uses herbs straight from your garden. Another favorite is lavender-infused oil for skin care. Steep dried lavender in sweet almond oil for a few weeks, then strain it to get a soothing oil.
Mix this with beeswax and a touch of honey to create a balm that’s perfect for chapped lips or dry hands, especially in cold weather. For example, rubbing this balm on rough elbows keeps skin smooth and hydrated, no store-bought creams needed.
Lavender can also be added to homemade soaps. Mix dried buds or lavender oil into a basic soap recipe for a luxurious bar that cleans and moisturizes. If you’re feeling adventurous, distilling lavender to make essential oil opens up options like adding it to lotions or diffusers, but simple infusions work just as well for everyday use.
These beauty products are budget-friendly, sustainable, and gentle on sensitive skin, letting you pamper yourself while reducing reliance on plastic-packed cosmetics. So, what are you going to do with your lavender?
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