Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery

How to Grow and Use Culinary Lavender

by Arlene Wright-Correll
Home Farm Herbery



Growing culinary lavender is basically easy and the first step is to know the difference between the several different lavender plants that are available. Though one can use most lavender in cooking there is a difference between all the Lavenders and especially the English Lavender and the best culinary lavender which is referred to as “Munstead” Lavender.

Lavender is a perennial and will grow and thrive in zones 5-11. It likes gravelly soil so if your soil is clay like ours is in South Central Kentucky it has to be amended. At Home Farm Herbery we prefer raised beds for everything and we have Mediterranean herb gardens that we started in 1999. We amended our heavy clay soil with a mixture of gravel, top soil and humus/manure compost with it being ½ bag of top soil, ½ bag of humus/manure compost to every bag of gravel we added. We then mixed well and our beds were about 12 to 16 inches deep and ready for our plants. We never had to touch them since then.

Though lavender can be grown from seed we find the best start is to find a good nursery that sells organic, pesticide-free lavender plants. One can find organic lavender plants from Goodwin Creek Gardens and our favorite is Wild Flower Farm The plants arrive perfectly packaged, swiftly and in excellent condition. Lavender plants are not cheap and one can expect to pay about $10.00 per plant. For a small kitchen or herb garden 2 to 4 plants will give you plenty of culinary flower buds for your own use.

When you first start your beds we recommend setting your plants right after the danger of the last frost for your area. Water them to set well and then remember that Lavender is one of the many herbs that come from the warm and dry Mediterranean area of the world. We started our plants right in the first weeks of September and they made it through the winter very well. They came in 4 inch pots and were about 12 inches tall so we planted them about 4 inches deep and about 18 inches apart.

The following spring we had our first buds and by harvest time we were ready for our first cuttings. We pruned them down to about 8 to 10 inches from the ground, tied the cuttings in bunches and hung them where they could dry out. Once they have dried out one can easily strip the beautiful lavender buds from them for future use in either cooking or crafts. If you intend to use them for crafts we recommend not stripping all of them especially if you intend to sell any of your lavender to crafters since they prefer their lavender still on the stems.



Dried lavender flower buds will keep for a long time providing you store them in an airtight jar in a dark closet or pantry where they will maintain their color and scent for a long time.

Over the years one’s lavender bushes will get quite woody at the base. However, that does not bother them as they come back each spring. They do not need pesticides or chemicals and here at Home Farm Herbery we have pledged ourselves years ago to grow only organic and heirloom plants and seeds and to be a pesticide free property. We feel everyone should consider the same thing. Once pesticides or chemicals are in your ground they will come up through your plants not only to your lavender but into your tomatoes or whatever you are growing. Make sure your seeds are non-hybrid/non-GMO seeds. Once those things are in your plants, they are in your produce and eventually in your stomach and system.

Here at Home Farm Herbery we sell a lot of Lavender flower buds on our internet store and they range from 1 oz. sampler packages and 4 oz. packages to 1 pound packages.

Usually the one pound packages are purchased to make wedding sachets for June brides.

Sewers love to make little quilted pin cushions and fill them with lavender buds.

Yet on the culinary side one can make Lavender sugar, Lavender Pepper,



Lavender Sea Salt rubs for cooking meats and to add to our tea blends and tisanes just as we do here at Home Farm Herbery.



When we used to have a big dog, she had a big bed and we made a pillow that went into it that was filled with lavender buds which she loved as we did also.

One can make their own Herbes de Provence and an essential addition to that herb blend is some lavender buds. You cannot believe what a great thing it will do to a nice homemade tomato sauce or stews.

For those who make or want to make candles or soap then adding lavender flower buds to them is an easy thing and you can find my 3 part candle making series on the internet.

Having a few Lavender plants in your garden is a good bee attraction and bees are needed for any garden.

When all is said and done and you do not want to do any of these things with Lavender buds then just adding Lavender to your gardens or yard will be a pretty site once all those lovely purple or should I says lavender flowers start showing up.

May the Creative Force be with you

Arlene Wright-Correll

Home Farm Herbery

Unattended Children is a hand painted tile by award winning International artist, Arlene Wright-Correll. It is 11 inches by 14 inches and has ban exterior spray finish that makes this tile usable either inside or outside. Let me make a personalized sign for you.. It comes with a leather hanging strap to hang anywhere inside or outside and the recipient will love it and know exactly how you feel about them. Order now and you will have it within 8-10 business days. I can do just about any kind of design as long as you have a camera ready photo. It comes with an artist signed, dated and numbered Certificate of Authenticity and an artist bio. Gallery price is $89.00. It will be hand painted especially for you, carefully packaged, insured and shipped FREE (within the Continental US) to you within 3-5 business days of receipt of funds. HI, Al, PR, VI & Canada add $10.00 extra for the shipping. Buy this hand painted tile today as all the proceeds from the sale goes to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Gallery representation: All images on this web site are original works of art created by Arlene Wright-Correll. Images may appear different on your computer screen than actual artwork. Click here to buy now.  

Alzheimer’s disease causes loss of brain function. Like other organs of the body, the brain too requires a supply of nutrients to maintain optimum health.
The ideal diet that is good for both brain and heart should include 40% proteins, 40% complex carbohydrates and 20% beneficial fats.
Here is a list of food items that are good for your brain health.

• Walnuts: These are rich in polyphenols, omega 6 fats and omega 3 fatty acids. These are all essential to improve brain health. Walnuts are also effective against blocked arteries, and can boost the blood supply to the brain. If you do not like walnuts, you can try pistachios, hazelnuts, mix nuts, and dried fruits like apricots and sultanas.

• Oysters: Studies have confirmed that low levels of Vitamin B12 in foods are related to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. Researchers have also found out that seafood like oysters, shrimps, clams and mussels are good for the brain.

• Foods with Vitamin E and Vitamin C: Vitamin C provides a powerful boost to the immune system. And vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant which protects the cell membranes and prevents the body from the damaging effect of the free radicals. Vitamin C is found abundantly in bright fruits like oranges, pepper and kiwifruit. Vitamin E sources include sunflower oil, wheatgerm and seeds.

• Red Grapes: The skin of red grapes consists of a particular flavonoid called resveratrol, which is a potent antioxidant. You can help yourself with a glass of red wine everyday to keep your heart and brain in the best condition. Also, you might be surprised to know that red grapes secrete a chemical in their skins when exposed to UV rays from the sunlight. This chemical is thought to preserve youth.

• Chocolate: Dark chocolate, or cocoa, can boost the blood flow to the brain. Dark chocolate is also composed of the amino acid tryptophan, which is a natural antidepressant. Now you know the secret why chocolate is so great at making one happy. Obviously, the happier you are, the better your brain will be.

• Fish: Fish, especially those caught from the sea, are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which boosts memory and concentration. Try fish like salmon, trout, tuna and herring.

• Green Vegetables: The folic acid in green vegetables combats memory loss. Asparagus, spinach, green beans, kale and peas are good folic acid sources. Spinach is also a good source for iron.

•  Blueberries: These also consist of large amount of antioxidants.

• Avocados: They contain both Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acid.

The foods good for the brain are often popular foods, like fish, chocolate, and wine.  So, what are you waiting for? Include more of these foods in your daily diet and live a healthy life as long as you live.

Read more at http://livinggreenmag.com/2013/04/17/food-health/change-your-diet-to-boost-your-brain-and-prevent-alzheimers-disease/#4rsm1OiqSmCRyzdR.99

Change Your Diet to Boost Your Brain and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Meet the Farmer Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfw2ybbRTYs