Lavender harvest and autumn prep

Lavender Harvest and Autumn Preparation for strong winter survival

August means another lavender harvest at Mingle Hill Farm.

This time, we are harvesting Lavandula × intermedia, also known as lavandin or French lavender. This is the large lavender plant you may recognize in your garden by its long flower stems and strong fragrance.

We grow our French lavender mainly for essential oil. The timing of the harvest is very important. We wait until the plants have passed their peak bloom, the flowers are beginning to fade and the bees are no longer visiting as often. We harvest before the plants begin producing seed.
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Harvesting too early or too late can affect both the amount and quality of the essential oil. Ontario growing guidance recommends harvesting lavender for essential oil after peak flowering.

Harvesting English Lavender

Our English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, was harvested near the end of June.
English lavender is harvested much earlier, just as the first flowers begin to open. This helps preserve its beautiful colour, gentle flavour and calming aroma. It is the lavender we prefer for our teas and culinary products.

The best harvest time always depends on how the lavender will be used. Lavender for fresh bundles, dried flowers and culinary products is generally harvested near the beginning of bloom. Lavender grown for essential oil is left on the plant longer.

When to Trim Lavender in Ontario

Mid August is also an important time for lavender care.
After the flowers have been harvested, we trim our plants into tidy, rounded mounds. Annual trimming helps keep lavender compact and prevents the plants from becoming overly woody or splitting open in the centre.

Follow the flower stems down to where they rise above the leafy part of the plant. Trim the green growth into a rounded shape, removing approximately one third of this year’s growth.

Always leave healthy green leaves on the plant.

Never cut deeply into the bare, woody base. Old lavender wood may not produce new growth, and cutting too far down can permanently damage or kill the plant.
English lavender is generally more tolerant of pruning and cold Ontario winters than French lavender or lavandin. French lavender should be trimmed more carefully, with plenty of green growth left behind.

Pruning shortly after harvest gives the plants time to recover before winter arrives. Avoid waiting until late fall, as late pruning can increase the risk of winter damage in Ontario.

A little attention in August helps prepare your lavender for the cold months ahead and encourages healthier, fuller plants next summer.

Happy Lavender Growing!