When do I harvest my lavender?

Harvest the stems when about 50-60% or more of the plant contains buds that have flowered. It may be helpful to emphasize that there is a difference between budding and flowering; look at the lavender anatomy picture below to see how the flowers come out of the buds when they are ready for harvest. The key to harvesting at the right time is when you hear lots of busy bees pollinating the open flowers!

How do I harvest?

Use a pair of sharp scissors and cut about an inch above the woody part of the plant. If you have multiple
plants, using a sickle may be more efficient for the size of your production. To harvest using a sickle, reach down into the plant and grab a small handful of stems, use the sickle to cut away from your body in a curved motion. Be aware of the placement of your fingers before cutting!

How do I avoid getting stung by the bees when harvesting?

Honey bees rarely sting unless you are really aggravating them. Honey bees are more focused on the lavender than you.