Growing Lavender: A Complete Guide -Growing, Planting, Care and Harvesting-

Lavender, a culinary herb, is also a beautiful addition to your backyard gardens, producing a wide variety of colors from early summer through late fall. Lavender is great for constructing informal hedges because of its silvery-green leaves, erect flower spikes, and compact shrub-like shape. Although all lavender types are native to the Mediterranean, they come in a wide range of flowering colors, shapes, and sizes. Lavenders are not entirely purple, despite their name. Other wonderful colors include violet-blue, rose, light pink, white, and even yellow in certain varieties. The form and color of the leaves can also vary. Consider growing multiple kinds to prolong the flowering season as well as the color range.

How to Grow/Plant Lavender

1. When to Plant Lavender

Lavender is best planted as a young plant in the spring. The best time is when the soil temperature has reached at least 60°F, and the risk of frost has gone. Pick bigger, more established plants when planting in the fall to protect them in the winter.

2. Where to Plant Lavender

Lavender grows well in a wide range of soil conditions, from poor to somewhat rich. If your soil is compacted or clayey, add some organic matter to help it drain better. Avoid standing in wet, moist locations since this might lead to root rot.

3. How to Plant Lavender

Lavender is difficult to cultivate from seed, so your best bet is to buy starter plants from the market. It might take up to three months for seeds to germinate, and seedlings in colder climates will need to be kept indoors during winters. You may also take a clipping from an established plant. In the spring or summer, when the stems are more developed, take a softwood cutting off several inches. Lavender should be spaced 2 to 3 feet apart. Plants generally grow to be between one and three feet tall. To keep weeds at bay, use mulch like rock or pea gravel. To avoid excess moisture and root rot, keep the mulch away from the lavender plant’s crown.

Care for Lavender Plant in the Container

Lavender should be grown in full sun with well-drained soil. It’s critical to start with the right conditions if you want to grow lavender correctly. Because they may get fairly large, start with a big container, at least 12 to 16 inches wide, to support their rapid development. Combine potting soil and a tablespoon of lime in a mixing bowl. Fill the pot with enough dirt to allow the lavender to sit one inch above the soil line. To the leftover topsoil, add more soil and fertilizer pellets. Place potted lavender plants in a full-sun location with at least eight hours of direct sunlight every day. Consider drainage and the amount of space between plants if your lavender appears to be in poor health. Lavender dislikes being overly wet and prefers good ventilation. To assist the plants, drain properly, add organic fertilizer like sand or gravel in addition to the native soil. Consider placing potted lavender on top of concrete to boost the temperature if the weather is chilly.

How to Trim/ Prune Lavender

Pruning lavender is comparable to harvesting, although it’s a little more intense. Pruning your lavender plant once or twice a year is essential. Always prune once the flowers have faded. If you prune lavender just before it blooms, it will take a long time for the flowers to appear. Trimming may be done in early or mid-spring without sacrificing flowering during this year. Pruning in late-summer or early-fall fosters adequate airflow, which defends against rot. Begin pinching the ends of new growth when your lavender plants are still young; the plants will respond with thick branching that will assist produce a nice shape. Begin pinching the ends of new growth when your lavender plants are still young; the plants will respond with thick branching that will assist produce a nice shape. If you wait too long to prune, the plant will develop older growth that won’t react as well to trimming. It would be best if you trimmed back at least one-third of an established lavender plant each year since it will grow aggressively in the appropriate conditions.

Harvesting and Store Lavender Plant

There are three major varieties of lavender: English lavender, Spanish and French lavender. In warmer areas, lavenders demand full sun, like well-draining soil, and are winter hardy. Depending on the type, the strong-scented blossoms produce a range of blooms. Greyish-green is a common color for lavender leaves. A tiny harvesting knife is the best tool for harvesting lavender, though a sharp hand pruner can also do the job. Encircle a cluster of stems above the leaves with your thumb and middle finger and make a clean cut, being careful not to damage any blossoms. A first-year lavender shrub will usually only yield one or two bunches of blooms, but a fully established plant will yield 8 to 10 bunches of lavender. When half of the flower buds on the lavender stalks have opened, it’s time to harvest. The best time to harvest is early in the morning when the oils are most concentrated. Just before the flowering, snip off the stalks. Cut the stems as long as you can. Hang the lavender bundles to dry somewhere protected, preferably in a cool, dark location with excellent airflow. Harvest early in the morning, when the plant is dry, and the sun isn’t too hot, to keep the essential oils in the flowers. The greatest smell comes from lavender spikes when the blooms on the stalks are just beginning to open. Therefore, this is the optimum moment to cut the stems. Within a few weeks, your lavender should be dry. To maintain the aroma, color, and avoid mold and rot, keep your fully dried flower buds in airtight containers away from light, heat, and humidity. Lavender that has been dried will usually maintain its lovely scent for a season. Place fresh-cut lavender stems in a vase of water on the counter for optimum effect. However, for the best flavor and aroma, use it as soon as possible. Try drying your lavender crop if you want to keep it for a longer time. Dried lavender will keep its optimum quality for around 2 to 3 years if stored properly. Store dried lavender in containers with tight-fitting lids to extend its shelf life and improve flavor and fragrance.