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THE LAVENDER FARM
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Lavender History:
Lavender is a popular garden flower and herb that has been grown and used for centuries. The name “Lavender” likely comes from the Latin word "lavare" (meaning 'to wash') or "livendulo" (meaning 'livid or bluish').
Lavender was used by the Egyptians, as well as the Romans. The Egyptians used lavender in their mummification process, and urns containing lavender residues have been found in pyramids. The Egyptians also perfumed their skin with lavender. Romans used the lavender flower for cooking and added it to the water used for bathing.
Growing Lavender:
Lavender plants are long-lived shrubby perennials that are easy to care for. They live many years and are heat and drought-resistant once established. They bloom best in full sun and soil that is well-drained and not too rich or wet. Lavender plants should be cut back each fall after blooming, or in the early spring, to avoid the growth of woody stems.
There are many varieties of lavender plants with over 30 different species in the genus Lavandula in many colors and sizes. Two popular types include English lavender, generally the earliest blooming variety, and hybrid lavender, which blooms near the middle or end of the season and is favored for its rich oil.
Lavender Uses:
Lavender is considered by many aromatherapists to be the most versatile of the essential oils. It is a natural relaxant and stress reliever. It also has antiseptic and other healing properties. The following are just a few ideas of uses you can make of lavender:
• Rub a small amount of lavender oil on your temples or ear lobes to relieve a headache.
• Use a few drops of lavender oil in bath water to soak and relax. A lavender-rosemary bath can be made by tying together the stems of fresh lavender and rosemary and hanging the bouquets below the water tap. Float the bouquet in the filled bath and enjoy the steamy fragrance.
• Use a few drops of lavender oil in the rinse cycle of the wash.
• Use lavender oil on minor burns and bites to relieve pain.
• Use lavender oil on minor skin abrasions to aid in healing.
• Sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball or hanky kept by your pillow to help you sleep.
• Keep a bottle of lavender spritzer in the bathroom and bedroom for room scent.
• Spray lavender spritzer on bed linens and let them dry before folding and storing.
• On pet beds, use lavender spritzer and/or add dried lavender buds in sachet bags to repel fleas.
• In closets, place lavender sachets in drawers or trunks or hang in closets to repel moths. A few drops of lavender oil can be used to freshen sachets. Lavender can also be combined with rosemary and cedar oil for closet sachets.
• Sprinkle dried lavender buds on carpets, pet sleeping areas, etc., then vacuum up.
• Make lavender potpourri with equal amounts of dried lavender buds, dried rosemary leaves, dried thyme (or marjoram, mint, and/or bee balm leaves). For each 3 cups of dried flowers, mix 1 oz. of powdered orris root and 1 t. ground cloves. Add 10-20 drops of lavender oil. Stir well and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Use in sachets or potpourri bowls. Add lavender oil occasionally to refresh the scent.
Culinary uses:
In southern France, lavender is an important component of herbes de Provence, a mixture of various Mediterranean herbs. Both English and hybrid lavenders, when fresh or dried, make good companiona for many foods, whether alone or mixed with other herbs. Use fresh English lavender in lemonade, ice cream, or cheese cake. Dried hybrid lavender can be ground and mixed with basil, rosemary, thyme, and other herbs, and used on grilled salmon, chicken, or vegetables.
To dry lavender, pick fresh bouquets during the summer bloom season and hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark place until dry. Then remove the dried lavender buds from the stems and store them in glass jars to use alone or with other herbs.
For seasonal hours open to the public, click here Farm Location: 39610 Eatonville Cutoff Rd.
Questions? Please call us: 360-832-4743 email us : stringtownfarms@stringtownfarms.com
Lavender is a popular garden flower and herb that has been grown and used for centuries. The name “Lavender” likely comes from the Latin word "lavare" (meaning 'to wash') or "livendulo" (meaning 'livid or bluish').
Lavender was used by the Egyptians, as well as the Romans. The Egyptians used lavender in their mummification process, and urns containing lavender residues have been found in pyramids. The Egyptians also perfumed their skin with lavender. Romans used the lavender flower for cooking and added it to the water used for bathing.
Growing Lavender:
Lavender plants are long-lived shrubby perennials that are easy to care for. They live many years and are heat and drought-resistant once established. They bloom best in full sun and soil that is well-drained and not too rich or wet. Lavender plants should be cut back each fall after blooming, or in the early spring, to avoid the growth of woody stems.
There are many varieties of lavender plants with over 30 different species in the genus Lavandula in many colors and sizes. Two popular types include English lavender, generally the earliest blooming variety, and hybrid lavender, which blooms near the middle or end of the season and is favored for its rich oil.
Lavender Uses:
Lavender is considered by many aromatherapists to be the most versatile of the essential oils. It is a natural relaxant and stress reliever. It also has antiseptic and other healing properties. The following are just a few ideas of uses you can make of lavender:
• Rub a small amount of lavender oil on your temples or ear lobes to relieve a headache.
• Use a few drops of lavender oil in bath water to soak and relax. A lavender-rosemary bath can be made by tying together the stems of fresh lavender and rosemary and hanging the bouquets below the water tap. Float the bouquet in the filled bath and enjoy the steamy fragrance.
• Use a few drops of lavender oil in the rinse cycle of the wash.
• Use lavender oil on minor burns and bites to relieve pain.
• Use lavender oil on minor skin abrasions to aid in healing.
• Sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball or hanky kept by your pillow to help you sleep.
• Keep a bottle of lavender spritzer in the bathroom and bedroom for room scent.
• Spray lavender spritzer on bed linens and let them dry before folding and storing.
• On pet beds, use lavender spritzer and/or add dried lavender buds in sachet bags to repel fleas.
• In closets, place lavender sachets in drawers or trunks or hang in closets to repel moths. A few drops of lavender oil can be used to freshen sachets. Lavender can also be combined with rosemary and cedar oil for closet sachets.
• Sprinkle dried lavender buds on carpets, pet sleeping areas, etc., then vacuum up.
• Make lavender potpourri with equal amounts of dried lavender buds, dried rosemary leaves, dried thyme (or marjoram, mint, and/or bee balm leaves). For each 3 cups of dried flowers, mix 1 oz. of powdered orris root and 1 t. ground cloves. Add 10-20 drops of lavender oil. Stir well and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Use in sachets or potpourri bowls. Add lavender oil occasionally to refresh the scent.
Culinary uses:
In southern France, lavender is an important component of herbes de Provence, a mixture of various Mediterranean herbs. Both English and hybrid lavenders, when fresh or dried, make good companiona for many foods, whether alone or mixed with other herbs. Use fresh English lavender in lemonade, ice cream, or cheese cake. Dried hybrid lavender can be ground and mixed with basil, rosemary, thyme, and other herbs, and used on grilled salmon, chicken, or vegetables.
To dry lavender, pick fresh bouquets during the summer bloom season and hang the bundles upside down in a cool, dark place until dry. Then remove the dried lavender buds from the stems and store them in glass jars to use alone or with other herbs.
For seasonal hours open to the public, click here Farm Location: 39610 Eatonville Cutoff Rd.
Questions? Please call us: 360-832-4743 email us : stringtownfarms@stringtownfarms.com
Lavender plants and summer u-cut available at Stringtown Lavender Farm:
