U-Pick Harvesting at Winding Brook Estate!

Visit the Lavender Shoppe in the Farmhouse (at the top of the hill) for tools and instructions.

2012 Dates/Hours

To Be Determined

Harvesting in the Provence Field of Blooming Lavender

The cost to harvest your own Lavender bundle is $12.00. We provide all the tools required-just stop by the Lavender Shoppe in the Farmhouse to pick them up and receive instructions. We also have Lavender bundles we already harvested and dried available for sale too.

The typical blooming time for the varieties* of Lavender we have available for public harvesting is mid June through July. A second fall blooming occurs in mid September and October.

Once blooming, the optimum timing for the cutting of Lavender is determined by the end use for the bloom stalks. Cutting is best done in the morning once the dew evaporates and before the heat of the day.

If harvesting for dried Lavender where the bloom stalk is to remain intact, stalks are best cut while in bud or up until the first two or three flowers have opened.

If harvesting for potpourri or sachets, stalks can be cut anytime from in bud to three-quarters of the flowers open.

For fresh flowers the stalks are best cut when one-quarter to one-half of the flowers are open.

* Varieties of Lavender Available for Public Harvesting are:

• Grosso

• Provence

• Seal

• Super

Dried Lavender Bundles

If you wish to dry your Lavender bundle, it’s easy! Make sure it is tightly bound as it shrinks slightly as it dries. Hang the bundle (paperclips work great for this) up side down (keeps the stalks straight) in a completely dark place – like a closet (this “sets” the color). On average depending on humidity it will take approximately 2 weeks to dry completely. At this point you can do anything you like with your Lavender, but it’s best to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid color fading.

You can also enjoy your Lavender as a fresh flower arrangement. Change the water at least weekly and it will provide 3-4 weeks of beauty.