When you first drive up on the lavender farm you are greeted by endless open fields of purple, friendly faces and a quaint little shop filled with homemade lavender products.
The air is warm and busy bodies are buzzing throughout the farm, and you’re about to join them.
You do not have to bring anything but yourself as all necessary tools are provided, and instructions on how to properly harvest are given at arrival. Additionally, no prior experience with gardening or pruning is required! Anyone, even kids can join in!
Why Harvest Lavender?
Well, there are many uses for lavender including therapeutic benefits. You can make salves, oils, sprays and much more! You can also dry your fresh cut lavender, which is what I did, to make the following items:
- Sachets for use in closets, dresser drawers or even placed into pillow cases.
- Infusing lavender in oil for salves, tinctures etc.
- Bath salts infused with dried lavender and or lavender oil.
- Culinary uses too! Lavender is an edible plant!
When To Harvest Lavender
Depending on what time of year you visit, you may be able to harvest your very own lavender as we did. This also depends on the farm you visit, however typically you harvest lavender:
- Early spring or early summer
- Early morning
- When the bloom stalks are early in their cycle with a good mix of buds and blooms (the buds hold the highest amount of oil than the flowers.)
- Important note: Lavender farms are very knowledgeable at knowing the best time to open up for harvest, when the lavender is at its peak! So rest assured you are harvesting at the prime time!
How To Harvest Lavender
How to prune lavender depends on what type of lavender you will be pruning. There are different practices for English, French and Spanish lavender. The typical rule of thumb with pruning:
- English lavender: prune down to 1/2 or 1/3 the plant, or until you see the first set of side branches.
- French and Spanish lavender: prune no more than 1/3, you want to be a little more gingerly with these types of lavender.
- Important note: All types of lavender are hardy and resilient, so do not fret with pruning!
- You can use special pruning snips that make pruning very easy! (See ones similar to what we used below, most lavender farms already have these available for you to use)
When To Visit A Lavender Farm?
The best time to visit a lavender farm is either in early spring or early summer during the morning. Most farms will have their own open hours when they are open to the public for harvest, so make sure to double check the farm you want to visit is open to public harvest.
With that said, you do not have to visit a lavender farm just to harvest! You can visit to take in the sights, take beautiful photos and help support the farm by shopping any handmade products they sell, which make wonderful gifts!
So if you happen to be in Maine in either early spring or early summer, please come visit any one of our wonderful lavender farms. Here are some lovely Maine lavender farms listed below:
- Over The Hill Lavender Farm, Thorndike ME
- Riverside Lavender Farm, Steep Falls ME (They also have Nigerian Dwarf Goats!)
- Glendarragh Lavender Farm, Appleton ME
- Moore Manor Lavender Farm, Newport ME
I would love to hear from you! Are you planning a visit to one of our beautiful lavender farms!?
You will not be disappointed!
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