I have the lavender herb growing in my garden. Should I prune all the tall dry growth off the plant? Can this plant be used for anything?
I have the lavender herb growing in my garden. Should I prune all the tall dry growth off the plant? Can this plant be used for anything?
0 Answers
Vera Brasher wrote on :
If you like sorbet, you might try making lavender sorbet. It is wonderful! I made it for the first time last year. Even my husband loved it. And it is very simple. If you use Splenda or Truvia, is it almost calorie free. Well, unless you use the vodka!
1 cup granulated sugar (or Splenda)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon culinary lavender flowers (food grade_do not spray chemical even around the lavender.)
2 1/2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons vodka
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar or splenda and water until the sugar dissolves. Add the lavender flowers; stir until mixture comes to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand approximately 10 minutes.
Place a fine strainer over a large bowl and pour syrup mixture through (straining out the lavender flowers). Add lemon juice and vodka to the strained syrup mixture; stir until thoroughly blended.
NOTE: The vodka (or any other type of alcohol) is the secret to a soft sorbet. Alcohol itself does not freeze and adding a little bit keeps the sorbet from doing the same. Vodka is excellent to use because it doesn’t affect the taste.
Ice Cream Maker – Transfer mixture to ice cream maker, process according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Freezer Method – Pour into container, cover, and place mixture in the freezer. When it is semi-solid, mash it up with a fork and refreeze again. When frozen, place in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Cover and refreeze until serving time.
NOTE: Can be prepared 3 days in advance. Cover and keep frozen.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Diane Rolfe wrote on :
VJ – that has to be the most amazing recipe ever! I love sorbet. My lavender never has any pesticides placed around it. It is in an area in which I only grow herbs. I am going to print this recipe and when the plant flowers I’ll give it a try. To think that I have been growing this plant and never did a thing with it! Thank you so much!
necoop wrote on :
Lavendar gets “leggy” so pruning will help keep it shaped to your desire and garden space. Also, the dead branches from last year will not leaf out this year.
Diane Rolfe wrote on :
Thank you necoop! We lucked out with a dry sunny day today. I’m going to go out and prune the whole (massive) plant back.
Kathleen Klatt wrote on :
You can also put the flowers in a cloth sack and in with your wool and cashmere sweaters. It keeps the moths out and smells much better than moth balls.
Diane Rolfe wrote on :
I didn’t know that they would keep moths away! That’s an amazing plant that I have there and I didn’t even know it. Thank you kathleenklatt!
Joan Ross wrote on :
yes, prune of the dry ends to make it more compact.. Use lavender ( dried buds/flowers/leaves ) for teas, baking, potpourris, sachets on so on.
Diane Rolfe wrote on :
Thank you! I knew that it smelled lovely but I wasn’t sure that it was edible. It is rather wild and half dead looking now so I will prune back all the dry stems. Thank you again.