Tips for using Lavender

Not only is Lavender beautiful and fragrant it has practical uses too. Most of us know about drying the buds to make potpourri or sachets but did you know it's useful in the kitchen too? Lavender sugar is a sweet (pun intended) topping for sugar cookies or chocolate brownies - good in tea too. to make Lavender sugar follow this recipe:

2 or 3 Tablespoons of Lavender Buds
1 cup sugar
Combine in a jar, shake to blend and put it in a cabinet for a couple of weeks. Shake it everyday.  The sugar will absorb the lavender flavor. Now all you need to do is strain the lavender buds out with a sieve and enjoy.
Look for recipies using Lavender on the internet, lots will come up in a search. You might be surprised at how good they are.


For a good chemical free soft scrub try this one using Lavender


3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup powdered Milk
5 or 6 drops lavender esscential oil
1/4 cup liquid castile soap or liquid ivory soap
water to make a paste


Combine soda, powdered milk, and lavender oil in a container with a tight fitting lid, shake and set asside until ready to use. When using add a small amount of the liquid soap and enough water to make a paste. Safe on nonporus surfaces - rince with fresh water.


My favorite lavender is Lavandula angustifolia.  it is hardy in my zone 6 area and stays green all winter. Beautiful tall spikes of purple flowers and wonderful frangrance!


Next post will feature another of my favorites - Rosemary.