Lavender Plant Care - Most Important Tips Part 1

Are you wondering about Lavender Plant Care? Lavender is quickly gaining popularity as a beautiful, easy, and useful garden or landscape plant. This is the first of a two part series that will give you the most important tips for caring for your lavender plant. You will learn about watering, fertilizing, harvesting, and pruning your plant. In part two of the series you will get advice about protecting your plant, planting a new plant, transplanting an existing plant and propagating lavender plants.

o Watering - One of the most common mistakes of lavender plant care is over-watering. It's difficult for many people to realize that lavender does not like to have continually wet roots. The soil needs to be well-drained so that it doesn't hold water. Water only when the soil is dry, but before the plant begins to show signs of stress. How often that turns out to be will depend on your soil and weather conditions.

o Fertilizing - If your soil has a fair amount of decomposing material, you may not need to fertilize your lavender at all. However, if your soil is poor, fertilizing will definitely benefit your lavender plant growth and bloom production. Choose a slow release organic fertilizer such as bone meal or fish emulsion and follow the directions on the package. Fertilize in the spring when new growth is apparent, and again in early summer during the heavy blossom production period.

o Harvesting - Some people just want to enjoy their lavender blossoms by leaving them on the plant until the season is completely over. But many others will choose to harvest their lavender blossoms and buds for use in sachets or other crafts. Some may want to harvest their lavender for cooking or even for distilling to obtain the lavender oil. The best time for harvesting depends some on the lavender variety and the intended usage, but in general harvesting can begin after a few blossoms have opened on most stalks. Simply grab a handful of stalks and cut them off with a knife or sharp pair of shears where they protrude from the plant body. It's best to tie the stalks in bundles for convenient handling or to facilitate drying by hanging the bundles upside down.

o Pruning - One of the most commonly overlooked tasks of lavender plant care is pruning. It is important to cut your plant back each year to keep it healthy and keep its shape. Use garden shears or clippers once a year and cut one third to one half of the plant. The lower part of the branches will become woody over time and you should avoid cutting into that part of the plant. What works best is to trim an individual plant in the shape of a ball, but a lavender hedge can be cut straight on the sides and rounded on top. Prune in the spring or late fall.

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Lavender Oil - An Amazing Variety of Uses

Lavender oil has long been valued not only for its fresh, sweet smell, but also for its therapeutic properties. Its history goes back at least as far as the Roman Empire where lavender was used to freshen the wash water and the oil was used to treat battle wounds. In modern times lavender oil has many uses from aromatherapy to scent for bath products. Learn about this amazing natural substance from plant to product.

What is it? - Lavender oil is the essential oil of a lavender plant, derived from the stalks (peduncles) and flowers. The plant material is subjected to a steam distillation process that yields lavender hydrosol and oil.

Where does it come from? - Lavender grows well in a wide variety of climates and can be found in many parts of the world. It grows wild in several Mediterranean countries, and there are many lavender farms in this area. Provence, France is famous for its lavender farms and festivals. Other large production locales include Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

How is it used? - The wide variety of uses for this remarkable oil is truly astonishing, but can be grouped into two broad categories: Therapeutic and Scents.

Therapeutic Applications - Lavender is probably the most common essential oil used in aromatherapy, which is an alternative health treatment that makes use of essential oils. Breathing the aroma of lavender has been shown to have a calming effect on many people and is often used for insomnia. The aroma is often distributed using a diffuser or burner, but you can enjoy the benefits by simply placing a few drops of lavender oil in your bath water or in a cotton ball to sit on your nightstand.

Lavender oil has pain killing properties and provides temporary relief from aching joints. Rubbing the oil directly into can help ease childhood "growing pains" or even mild arthritis.

The antibiotic properties of lavender make the oil a great natural choice for preventing infection in minor cuts and burns. Simply apply the oil directly to the wound and appreciate both the pain killing and germ killing effects.

Lavender Scent - Lavender has an especially sweet scent and the oil has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years as an enjoyable aroma. The scent of lavender can be found in many products, from soaps and lotions to air fresheners. Lavender is a favorite aroma in spas, and is a major component of many massage oils and facial creams. Lavender sugar scrubs and salt scrubs are wonderful ways to exfoliate the skin while enjoying the relaxing aroma.

These uses for lavender oil are but a few of the many ways that one can take advantage of the wonderful aroma and health benefits. It truly is one of the simple blessings of nature.

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Cooking with Culinary Lavender

Have you tried whole grains with culinary lavender? Whole grains are making a comeback, and their advantages in terms of health and environmental conservancy are well known. However, to many palates accustomed to refined flour, whole grains seem tasteless and heavy. By using our Culinary Lavender, you can create healthy, satisfying meals that taste - and smell - delicious. Adding Lavender Lemon Pepper or Italian Seasoning with Lavender to your whole grains is the key to making nutritious meals that your entire family will love.

Why are Whole Grains So Beneficial?

Natural grains consist of three parts - the germ, the bran, and the endosperm. White rice, flour, and other refined grains are made by processing endosperm and discarding the bran and germ. The endosperm consists almost entirely of starch, while minerals, vitamins, proteins, and other healthy substances are found in the bran and germ. Although the endosperm has a milder taste and softer texture, adding culinary lavender to whole grains makes them just as appealing as refined grains - or even more so!

Using Culinary Lavender to interest your family in whole grains is also environmentally friendly. Nearly one third of every bushel of grain is discarded in the refining process. By using whole grains, you are extending the usefulness of every acre of grain that is planted.

What does Culinary Lavender Add to Your Meal?

Culinary Lavender looks and smells wonderful, but it also does more than just make whole grains more appetizing. Culinary Lavender has been known since Roman times for its soothing and healing properties. A pinch of Italian Seasoning with Lavender in your rice can relieve dizziness, or some Lavender Lemon Pepper mixed with whole grain flour for a fish batter can ease the pain of headaches as well as tasting great.

How Can I Use Culinary Llavender with Whole Grains?

Here are some suggestions for using Culinary Lavender while cooking with whole grains:

· Add Italian Seasoning with Lavender to homemade whole grain pastas, or use it to spice up your spaghetti sauce when cooking store bought whole grain pasta.

· Bake whole wheat breads with a touch of Culinary Lavender, to add a hint of alluring flavor to your loaves.

· Sprinkle Lavender Lemon Pepper over your stone-ground whole grain grits in the morning.

· Make a spicy topping for your whole wheat bread using a mixture of garlic, olive oil, and Italian Seasoning with Lavender.

· Use whole grain flour mixed with Lavender Lemon Pepper as a batter dip for fried vegetables, fish, and chicken fingers.

· Crush some Culinary Lavender with raw sugar, and sprinkle it over your whole grain oatmeal for breakfast.

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What Is So Great About Lavender Soap?

If you've never used lavender soap before, the first thing you are going to notice is the crisp, clean fragrance. Lavender gives off a sweet, floral overtone that makes it a favorite soap ingredient. You may not know it, but lavender soap isn't just used to wash the body. The essential oils that lavender produces are made into washing detergents, dishwashing and even floor soaps. And lavender isn't just known for its scent. It also helps to promote relaxation, which is why using it in your home can help to create a very peaceful environment.

How Does it Clean?

We've already established the great smells that helps you to relax, but how well does it actually clean? Well, according to the Entomology Research Institute of Loyola College, lavender oil possesses powerful antibacterial as well as antiseptic properties that make it perfect for aiding in insect bite healing and sunburns. Basically, any soap that contains lavender essential oils can be used for healing skin infections. Lavender's antibacterial properties also make it a great remedy for scabies and eczema.

Lavender has long been used to cure various ailments. It's even a great anti-inflammatory, as it helps to promote new cell growth. When you put essential oils, or even soap, on your skin, you will begin healing right away and you will even prevent scars from forming.

Lavender and Stress Relief

When you use lavender soap, you can actually help to relieve your anxiety and stress. That's right. According to Psychology Today, there was a study done by Charles Stuart University in Australia that showed how lavender actually changes our brainwaves and helps to create a feeling of well-being and relaxation. That means you can use the lavender soap right before bedtime to get a restful sleep. It can also be used on small children to help them relax if they, too, are anxious or too rambunctious.

Many Uses for Lavender Soaps

Lavender isn't just used in soap. It's also used in teas and it's heavily used in aromatherapy to help promote stress-relief and anxiety-relief. But you may not know that it's used to repel fleas. Soaps that contain lavender essential oils can be used to not only repel fleas, but kill them. You can even put a few drops of lavender into your pet's shampoo as a safe and effective flea treatment.

Anti-Aging Properties

Lavender is also used in anti-aging treatments. Since lavender helps to promote new cell growth, you can actually reverse time on your skin. Lavender soaps leave your skin feeling soft and clean, and they neutralize dry and oily skin at the same time.

Now you know all the benefits of lavender soap. With its robust, flowering scent and strong anti-bacterial properties, it's one of the best soaps you can buy. But when you take into account all the healing properties, and the fact that it promotes relaxation and stress-relief, everyone should use some type of lavender soap in their home. Not only will it bring a sense of peace, but it will make your house smell fantastic.

Lavender World is the new online shopping retailer which sells everything lavender, purple and lilac. This calendar month, sees the thrilling launch of the brand-new Lavender Soap range.

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Dried Lavender Crafts

Many lavender crafts can be made using dried lavender buds which hold their aroma for many months. A slight touch of the lavender will cause it to release its aroma time and time again. Because of this property, dried lavender is a wonderful material for making crafts that can be enjoyed for a long time. If you have dried lavender left from last season's harvest, or you simply purchase some dried lavender buds, you can start with some of these easy projects.

Lavender Sachet - A sachet is a simple way to add that sweet lavender aroma to a drawer, closet or room. There are many creative possibilities when it comes to making a lavender sachet. The easiest sachet could be simply putting lavender buds into a decorative stationary envelope. Use a pin to poke some holes in the back of the envelope to allow the smell to escape. Another alternative is to use a computer printer to print a pattern or image on a plain sheet of paper, then fold it into an envelope that will contain the lavender buds.

If your craft skills include sewing, you can make your own lavender sachet using organza material. Sew the material into a pouch to hold your lavender buds and tie it closed with a ribbon. Another option is to cut a long strip of material that is about 4 inches (10 - 11 cm) wide, fold it in half along the length, place lavender buds in between the folds as you sew it into 2 inch X 2 inch (5 cm X 5 cm) squares. This will result in a sachet that is as long as you want and will work well when hanging near a window to allow the fresh breeze to spread the lavender aroma around the room.

Dried Lavender Flower Arrangement - Often lavender stalks are bundled together and dried with the buds still attached. Dried lavender bundles are a great addition when creating a dried floral arrangement. Many beautiful dried grasses and plants are available in craft stores or in nature. Arrange these in a vase along with your dried lavender bundles and you can create an attractive and aromatic table centerpiece or shelf decoration. Dried lavender flowers are lovely by themselves and add a country charm to a bathroom or kitchen. Place them on a window sill or hang them out of the way near a cabinet or in a corner and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that is created as the scent fills the room.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmie_Norris

Not All Lavenders Are Created Equal

There was a time when didn't realize there was a difference between high end lavender and grocery store lavender. I figured that one had marketed itself more effectively and was able to put a higher price tag on the same product. While this happens more than it should, there are cavernous differences between "lavender", lavendin and lavendula angustifolia.

Let's break it down:

"Lavender": A lot of products in grocery stores with a "lavender" scent may not even have actual lavender in it. It's like "grape" gum. I've never tasted a real grape that smelled anything like grape-flavored gum but it's what the market has decided "grape" tastes like so that's what we've come to expect. Same goes for lavender. A lot of people out there (maybe even you!) have only encountered the most false versions of lavender and believe that you're allergic to or dislike the smell of lavender. If the ingredient deck says nothing of "lavendin" or some form of "lavandula", back away slowly and move on to something real.

Lavendin: Even though (or maybe because) Lavendin is a hybrid of lavandula angustifolia (often called True Lavender) and lavender spica (Spiky Lavender), it's a totally sterile plant that can't reproduce on its own. Despite its sterility, lavendin is by far the most prevalent form of lavender in soaps, toothpastes, everything because it smells so lovely. It has to be cloned, which is why most lavender fields you see look eerily symmetrical and tidy. Lavendin, however, doesn't guarantee all the healing properties that lavandula angustifolia provides, so OHA primarily uses lavendin to cover up the not-so-pleasant smelliness of unrefined olive oil, pumpkin seed oil and rose hip seed oil. It also does well at the basic lavender functions, like being antispasmodic and a stress reliever.

Lavandula Angustifolia (True Lavender): Ahhh, now the really good stuff. When other skin care companies use this variety of lavender, they dilute it like crazy because it's so expensive. This lavender is not skin sensitizing so it's safe for almost every skin type. The most precious sub-species of lavendula angustifolia is Population Lavender, grown from seeds in France. It is among the most therapeutically complex and beneficial lavender oils in the world. Talk about freakisly expensive, but OHA uses it because it's what's best for your skin. Different climates, altitudes, and even insects can affect the structure and therapeutic strengths of a lavender plant, so OHA sources lavender from all around the world, including the Pacific Northwest, Tasmania, France, Bulgaria, and the Himalayas. This guarantees that you get all the possible therapeutic benefits of lavender when you use OHA's skin care system. Why is that cool? See below:

Lavender Angustifolia's benefits include:

* treating eczema, psoriasis, burns, bronchial disorders, migraines, wounds, parasitic infection
* relaxant, sleep aid and stress reliever
* antibacterial, antispasmodic, a circulatory stimulant and antiseptic
* regulates skin functions and stimulates cellular growth and regeneration
* brings balance to all skin types, including acneic, dry, normal, sensitive and oily
* heals open wounds or surgical wounds
* it turns you and your friends into unicorns. I'm kidding. I just wanted to see you if you were still with me.

Enlightening stuff, eh? It just reminds me of what an honor it is to be using and working around the most beautiful ingredients available.

Tag : lavender,lavender essential oil,lavender plant,lavender oil

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meg_Risso

Do You Know the Different Lavender Herb Types

Lavender herb is a popular addition to gardens. The aromatic flower spikes are excellent in dried flower arrangements or potpourri. The plant can also be used to make essential oils and for natural healing. Some people also use the plant in cooking, although this is not common. There are around thirty varieties of lavender. However, the most often used are the English, French and Spanish varieties.

English lavender, botanically known as Lavendula angustifolia, is the type most people picture when they hear the word lavender. The plant has purplish flowers and grows to two or three feet. Their fragrance is strong, which is why this type is the one most commonly used for aromatherapy.

There are sub-varieties of English lavender. These tend to be smaller in size, work well as edging and come in other colors than the traditional lavender. Varieties include Melissa, which has pink flowers; Baby Blue, which has purple flowers; Nana Alba, which has white flowers; and Martha Roderick, which has bluish-lavender flowers.

French lavender, or Lavendula dententa, is a milder variety of lavender. It has a more subdued fragrance than its English cousin. Flowers are not quite as vibrant. This type is typically used more for decorative appearance rather than aromatic appeal. This plant also grows up to three feet in height. Leaves are serrated.

The flower many gardeners mistakenly assume is French lavender is actually Spanish lavender. Botanically known as Lavendula stoechus, the plant grows between eighteen inches and two feet in height. Petals are upright and similar in appearance to a pine cone. In Spring, deep purple flowers appear. Bees tend to like this type, which grows best in humid areas.

Of these three main types, English lavender tends to be the hardiest. It can winter outdoors provided it has shelter and a layer of mulching to protect it. The French and Spanish varieties need more warmth and should be moved indoors. If you do not bring them in, you will have to replace the plants each year.

When purchasing lavender commercially, you may notice it labeled as true lavender, spike lavender or lavandin. True lavender has barrel-shaped flowers, short and narrow leaves and crooked stems. It is commonly used for aromatherapy. Spike lavender, like the name implies, grows more and spikes. This type yields the highest amounts of essential oils. Lavandin, sometimes called Dutch lavender, is a hybrid of true and spike lavenders. It has vibrantly colored flowers and is often used as part of decorative accents or potpourris.

While lavender can be grown from seed, it is difficult. Most gardeners start their plants from cuttings or root divisions. They need moist, well-drained soil to flourish. Provide protection from the sun for the first year before moving to the garden. To encourage the plant to bush out, cut flower shoots off the first year in the garden. After the first year, the plant just requires dead-heading of old flowers to keep it going strong. For the strongest aroma, harvest at the end of summer on a hot, dry day.

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Uses For Lavender Essential Oil

You can use Lavender essential oil in a variety of ways, and to help with a variety of home care needs. Lavender oils have been used for many years, and while it is more commonly associated with its health and beauty benefits, Lavender has plenty of home care uses as well.

While it is easy to find out what to use lavender oil for, it can be difficult to figure out how to use lavender and lavender oils for these purposes. Here you can find a couple different uses for lavender and how to use them for your home care needs.

Lavender can be very easily used to refresh clothes, carpets, and rooms.

To use to refresh clothes

• Place 5 drops of lavender essential oil into about a quarter cup of fabric softener, and add into washer like normal. When you take these clothes out of your washer they will smell just like the soft, fresh, flowery scent of lavender.
• You can also make a lavender sachet and stick it in your drawers to keep your clothes smelling fresh. To do this, just add some dried lavender, and accompanying herbs (like chamomile, lemon, or mint leaves), and place them in a small pouch. You can make a pouch easily out of an old t-shirt and some ribbon. Just cut up an old shirt into a large circle, add herbs of choice, and tie up with an old string or ribbon.

To refresh carpets and area rugs

• Mix 2 - 4 cups of baking soda with 10 - 15 drops of lavender essential oil, mix in a plastic ziplock back and let sit for a few days to dry out. Then take this mixture, which should smell wonderful when you open it, and sprinkle over your carpets. You can let this sit for a little bit, and then vacuum up. This will leave your carpets smelling wonderful and fresh.

To refresh rooms

• Drop a few drops of the lavender oil into the hot wax of a burning candle, this will give off a faint smell. You can also easily find lavender candles at any home or specialty store. They are very common, and some even have lavender mixed with accompanying scents.
• You can also create a lavender potpourri with dried lavender, fresh lavender, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. You can add any other types of dried flowers or herbs you want to this, as well.
• For bathrooms you can easily make decorative lavender soap out of simple melt and pour soap bases. These soap bases can be bought at any hobbyist store, such as Michaels. You can also obtain an unlimited amount of molds online or at hobby stores as well. All this requires is taking the soap base of your choice, melting it down, and pouring into molds. To create the lovely lavender scent, just add some lavender essential oil (about 5 drops per cup) to the soap base after it has been melted. Make sure you don't add it in when the base it too warm or it will destroy some of lavenders beneficial properties. When these cool off you will have some very nice smelling soap that can keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.

In addition to some of the above home uses, lavender products are starting to show up on store shelves in everything from dish detergents, and laundry detergents, to wrinkle creams and lotions. Everywhere you look you seem to see more and more lavender products on the markets, and with so many benefits, its not hard to see why. To find more uses for lavender and read about all lavenders beneficial properties, check out this great Lavender Essential Oil Guide. There you will find useful information for soapmakers, cosmetic makers, and the everyday consumer as well.

Tag : lavender,lavender essential oil,lavender flower,lavender oil Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruby_Groves