✨ Lavender wands, bee hum, and a kitchen that smells like Provence by Sunday.
Lavender harvest time in Portland has officially arrived, and with a stretch of 80s and low 90s on deck this week, my Grosso and Hidcote are about as fragrant as they'll get all season. I cut my first armload yesterday morning at 7 a.m., before the bees clocked in, and the oils were singing. If you've never harvested your own, this is the week to grab the snips and a rubber band.
This Week's Action List
- 1
Cut lavender in the morning between 6 and 9 a.m., once the dew has lifted but before temps climb past 75°F — that's when essential oil concentration peaks. I bundle stems in groups of 50 to 75 and secure with a rubber band, not twine, because the stems shrink as they dry.
- 2
Harvest when roughly one third to one half of the buds on a spike have opened. For English types like Hidcote and Munstead aim for the earlier window; for Grosso and Provence (the lavandins), I wait until closer to half open since they're bred for oil and dried wand making.
- 3
Cut deep — take the full flower stem plus an inch or two of green leafy growth, but never slice into the woody base. I shape the whole plant into a tight mound as I go, which keeps Portland lavender from splitting open into that ugly bald center by year four.
- 4
Hang bundles upside down in a dark, dry, well ventilated spot for 10 to 14 days. My garage rafters work perfectly in June because humidity is low and the heat builds gently. Skip the basement — too damp this time of year even when it feels dry.
- 5
After harvest, water deeply once (about a gallon per established plant) and then back off entirely. Lavender hates wet feet, and with zero rain in the forecast through Sunday, your plants will actually relax into the dry stretch. Do not fertilize — rich soil makes floppy, short lived lavender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lavender varieties grow best in Portland Oregon?
Hidcote and Munstead (English lavenders) handle our wet winters best and bloom in June with a sweeter scent for culinary use. For larger plants and stronger fragrance, Grosso and Provence (lavandin hybrids) thrive in full sun on the east side and dry slopes in the West Hills, blooming a couple of weeks later.
Can I cut lavender back hard after it blooms?
Yes, and you should — a second light shaping after harvest keeps the plant tight and encourages a small fall flush. Cut back into the green growth but never into bare wood, because Portland lavender rarely regenerates from old stems. I do my hardest shaping in late August once the heat eases.