Planting Lavender
In April 2023, we successfully planted our initial lavender crops, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of a stunning and aromatic lavender garden. Witnessing their growth filled me with anticipation for the evenings when I could return home to see our flourishing plants. However, that April brought a late and severe frost, prompting us to take urgent measures to protect them from potential damage. The outcome remained uncertain, awaiting the test of time.
Weeks passed, turning into two months, and by late May, we began to witness the lavender starting to grow and bloom. It was a delightful experience to spend evenings in the field after work, enjoying a glass of wine, listening to soft music, and carefully trimming the lavender to promote its growth. During the initial year, it is important to prune the lavender to encourage deep root development and to shape the plant with lovely buds.
While trimming the plants, I saved the stems and buds to bundle and dry. They were small and short, yet their aroma filled the kitchen, my hands, and my clothes. I could have simply immersed myself in it, as I savored every moment.
My family found it amusing how many bundles I hung from the kitchen curtains. It was delightful to return home in the evening and be greeted by the pleasant smell of lavender wafting through the room. To prepare the lavender for bundling, I gently ran my fingers down the stem to strip off the leaves, leaving just the lavender flower on a long stem. Allowing them them to a minimum of 3 weeks drying time to ensure they are thoroughly dried, creating a charming farmhouse-style decoration.
As our inaugural year came to a close, we had approximately 100 plants, hoping they would endure the winter and flourish in the upcoming season. More to come...
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