Yolanda Hadid is seen gathering the final lavender stems from her farm in a recent Instagram video, savoring the last of color and scent before winter fully arrives. The video captures something many gardeners know all too well: the bittersweet transition from fall to winter.
It's always a bit sad when the growing season winds down, but there's still beauty left to collect and enjoy well into autumn. Lavender, in particular, is a gift that keeps on giving. In late fall its fragrance, oils, and dried blooms can be transformed into stunning creations for you or loved ones during the holiday season.
Whether you grow a full lavender hedge or stick to a few simple potted plants, now is the perfect time to follow Yolanda Hadid’s lead and harvest what’s still left. Using the right technique, your final lavender blooms can be used all winter long.
Harvesting the Last of Your Lavender Correctly
Lavender late in the season tends to have fewer oils than blooms in the middle of summer, but it’s still beautifully fragrant. To harvest lavender in late fall:
- Cut the stems late in the morning after the dew has evaporated
- Make sure you use sharp pruning shears for clean cuts that don’t stress your lavender plant.
- Aim for trimming steps that still have some of the purple color visible; even slightly faded lavender blooms dry beautifully.
Try these Draper Precision Pruning Shears from Amazon, which are fantastic for trimming soft stems like lavender.
Drying Lavender: Simple Methods That Work
Yolanda Hadid often air-dries her lavender in looser bundles; it’s low-effort and looks aesthetically pleasing as well.
For best results:
- Tie 10–15 stems together with twine.
- Hang them upside down in a dry, dark space with good air circulation (like a garage or closet).
- Allow 1–2 weeks for complete drying.
If you prefer a more structured drying method, you can always use a rack. This iPower herb drying rack from Amazon is perfect – it has 4 layers and is collapsible, meaning it’s a great space-saving option.
Once properly dried, lavender buds should feel crisp and fall off easily when you rub them.
What to Do with All That Lavender
Once you've dried your lavender, you may be at a loss as to what to do with it. Here are some of our favorite lavender craft ideas.
Make Lavender Sachets for Drawers or Gifts
Around the holidays, thinking of gifts for your loved ones can be so difficult! Lavender sachets are a great idea, as they show you took the time to make something homemade, and people actually have a use for them. They add a lovely scent to closets, drawers, and even gift boxes if you already had something in mind.
Bonus tip: They make great stocking stuffers.
To make your own:
- Remove the buds from the dried stems.
- Fill cotton or muslin sachet bags.
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil if you want a stronger scent
These sachet bags from Amazon are perfect, and they feature an adorable little bundle of lavender on the outside.
Brew Your Own Lavender Tea
If you have an edible lavender (do your research to be sure!) like Lavandula angustifolia, you can dry the buds and use them to make a calming herbal tea. Lavender tea is perfect for people who have trouble sleeping or for people who might have anxiety. To make it:
- Pour in 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds (using an infuser) per cup of hot water
- Steep for 4–5 minutes
- Combine with chamomile or mint for an extra soothing effect
This floating tea Infuser with Stand from Target works great and comes in a variety of colors.
Craft Lavender-Infused Essential Oil or Bath Soaks
Winter is the season for good food, self-reflection, and a little self-care. Dried lavender can play a big role in this if you like bubble baths as part of your routine.
- Fill a clean jar with dried lavender buds
- Cover with a carrier oil (like almond or jojoba)
- Let it sit in a sunny window for 2–3 weeks, shaking once every couple of days
- Strain and store in dark glass bottles
This creates a luxurious massage or bath oil. For bath soaks, mix your lavender buds with Epsom salts and store in airtight jars.
For bath soaks, mix lavender with Epsom salts and also store them in airtight jars.
Add Lavender to Holiday Decor – Even Your Christmas Tree!
This is where Yolanda Hadid’s personal style really shines through. Lavender’s muted purple tones and fragrant stems pair beautifully with the green of winter, including your Christmas tree.
Try tucking dried lavender bundles into wreaths, or nestling sprigs of it into your Christmas tree branches for a pop of color and surprising scent. You can also let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them by tying some of the stems to wrapped gifts.
A Winter Tradition Worth Keeping
Yolanda Hadid’s end-of-fall lavender harvest is more than a simple gardening task; it’s a ritual of connection. It’s thanking your garden for all it gave you during the summer before winter sets in.
By harvesting your final lavender blooms and transforming them into fragrant gifts, decorations, or teas and oils, you preserve a piece of the growing season to enjoy during the cold winter months.
