Gathering Lavender Seeds in Three Straightforward Methods
Lavender, with its fragrant flowers and versatile uses, is a popular garden plant. If you're considering growing lavender from seeds, here's a comprehensive guide to help you get started.
The best time to collect lavender seeds is in the fall, after the growing season has ended and the flowers fade. One of the most common lavender species, Lavandula angustifolia (English or true lavender), is best suited for seed collection and is easily available in Germany due to its good adaptability to the local climate and widespread cultivation.
Not all lavender varieties can be propagated by seed, however. For instance, Grosso lavender, a hybrid, does not produce seeds. If no lavender plant is available for seeds, they can be bought from a local nursery in the spring or online.
To collect lavender seeds, locate the seed pods, cut the branches holding the seed heads, and extract seeds from the pods. Tools needed for harvesting lavender seeds include pruning shears, collection bags or containers, and gloves (optional).
Lavender seeds need to spend time in the fridge (at least 30 days) for germination, a process called cold stratification. After this period, seeds have a low germination rate and take two weeks to a month to sprout.
Storing lavender seeds correctly is crucial. Keep them in a dry, airtight container, avoiding sunlight.
Lavender can be used in various edible forms, such as herbal tea mixtures, baking, making lavender honey and lavender lemonade. Dried lavender buds can also be used to attract wildlife.
Dried lavender buds have numerous other uses as well. They can be used to make bath products, scented lavender sachets, aromatic potpourri, wands, lotions, salves, sleep pillows, lavender essential oil, herbal tea mixtures, baking, lavender honey, and lavender lemonade.
For more detailed information on growing lavender, Adriana Copaceanu's books "How to Grow Lavender for Fun and Profit: Lessons Learned from Planting Three Hundred Lavender Plants" and "How to Raise Chickens for Eggs: A Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Chickens for Nutritious, Organic Eggs at Home" are excellent resources. If you're interested in making your own lavender essential oil, you can even invest in a copper still.
In conclusion, with a little patience and the right information, growing lavender from seeds can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. Happy planting!
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