10 cool things to do with fresh lavender

1. WARD OFF MOTHS

One reason Amy Mascall from Silver Fox Farm started growing lavender was that she hated the smell of mothballs. Sachets of dried lavender buds protect woolens just as well. "The scent will last two or three years, and people won't walk away from you," she said.

Do it: Hang fronds of lavender to dry, grind buds off the stem with your fingers and put the dry blooms in a muslin bag (Boise Co-op sells them). Tuck it into a drawer, or hang it in your closet. Loose lavender in your drawer works, too. But shake out your sweaters before you wear them.

2. GRILL WITH LAVENDER

Use lavender fronds as skewers or soak bunches in water and throw them onto your coals when the flames have died down.

Do it: Try lavender grilled peaches on vanilla ice cream.

3. SOOTHE A SUNBURN

This recipe comes from The Herb Gardener, a must-read blog for lavenderphiles.

Do it: Mix and apply with a cotton swab:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white vinegar

12 drops essential oil of lavender

Note: Concentrated essential oil of lavender can irritate skin. Always dilute it with oil and vinegar.

4. PLANT A BED

Marie Willis of the Lavender Merchant in Kuna suggests planting your lavender with baby's breath, daisies, veronica and lithrum. They all bloom at about the same time and look lovely together, she says.

5. MAKE LAVENDER SUGAR

Put fronds of fresh lavender in a jar of sugar and seal it for two weeks, or pulse sugar and lavender buds together in a blender or food processor. Use in tea and lemonade. Use the same technique to make savory lavender salt.

6. AMY MASCALL'S LAVENDER RUB

While all homegrown lavender varieties are technically edible, some, like Grosso, have a camphor smell that is better for perfuming than eating. Mascall's favorite varieties for cooking are Munstead (including its leaves) and Hidcoat. In general, the darker the bloom, the sharper the flavor. Don't eat lavender grown with pesticides. Start with small amounts. A little lavender goes a long way.

Do it: This rub is good for steak or vegetables.

1/2 tablespoon cayenne or poblano peppers

1/2 tablespoon lavender buds

1 tablespoon garlic

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon of coarse salt

Grind ingredients in a food processor or with mortar and pestle. Rub on meat, let sit for at least 30 minutes, barbecue.

Or do this: A simple rub for grilling vegetables such as red pepper: olive oil, lavender buds, cracked pepper.

7. LAKESIDE LAVENDER LEMONADE

Lakeside Lavender Farm hosts its annual festival this weekend on the shores of Lake Lowell.

Do it: The farm's signature lemonade recipe:

3 tablespoons dried lavender

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 quart frozen lemonade

Pour boiling water over lavender and steep for 15 to 18 minutes. Strain the liquid and add to the lemonade mix. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender sprigs. Use a lavender stem for stirring.

8. TAKE A LAVENDER BATH

Put dried lavender into a strainer, tea bag or muslin bag, toss it into the tub under warm running water.

9. DRINK A FLOWER

This idea comes from J. Crist Gallery in Boise: Monin lavender syrup (available at Boise Co-op) mixed with chilled mineral water. Note: Monin makes other flower syrups, including rose, violet, jasmine.

10. MAKE AN EASY LAVENDER SLEEP AID

Pour buckwheat hulls and dried lavender into a clean, thin, cotton sock. Tie it closed, put it in the bottom of your pillow case. Many people find the scent of lavender relaxing and sleep-promoting.

Anna Webb: 377-6431