Lavender is herb mostly found in the Mediterranean region and belongs to the Lamiaceae family- a flowering plant in the mint family. It contains a very sweet fragrance. In this instructive guide, we will describe in details different fundamental steps which are exceedingly essential for growing lavender. We will cover the most crucial requirements and primary preconditions to grow lavender such as soil preparation, season selection, and climate changes. Furthermore, we will cover how to plant lavender seeds to obtain maximum production. How to grow lavender and care the plant to protect it from climate change and prevent it from diseases so that we can obtain the healthiest yield. You will also learn the complete method of harvesting lavender and when and how you should harvest lavender?
Lavender has a strong fragrance and a bushy perennial plant mostly found in the Mediterranean countries. Its foliage are gray to green in color. If you are a beginner gardener then you should consider it for growing. It is extremely easy to grow. Grow it once and harvest it every year. You might think it is difficult to grow. Don’t worry. We will completely guide you about every single step to plant lavender. Let’s learn about the complete procedure for how to grow lavender.
Conditions for planting lavender
It is the most important step to learn before you start growing lavender. We don’t just dig a hole and start plantations. We will have to fulfill different suitable requirements for the best possible growth. If you successfully cover these all requirements then you will obtain matchless yield. Conditions for growing lavender vary from region to region.
First of all, you will have to select an appropriate place to plant lavender. You will have to provide it similar dry and hot environment like Mediterranean countries. It likes a sunny place for its best growth. Therefore you will have to manage a place where it can have at least 8 hours of sunlight. Furthermore, it requires shelter because shelter protects it from high winds because it can’t tolerate high winds.
The second most important requirement for lavender is a suitable soil. Soil should be sandy and dry and well-drained. You can check the soil by digging a hole and filling it with water. If water stands in the hole or drains slowly. It means the soil is not well-drained. If water drains quickly, it means your soil is well-drained and you can move to the next step.
You can dramatically increase production by adding different organic compounds such as well-rotted compost and aged manure. It will increase the fertility of your soil so it will really improve the texture and taste of your crop.
Selecting an appropriate place and preparation of soil are the two most important preconditions before planting your crop. Now you are good to go for lavender plantation.
When to plant lavender?
It is best to plant lavender in the spring when soil becomes warm. It is not a good idea to plant it in the fall. However, if you really want to plant it in winter then make sure to provide shelter to lavender.
How to grow lavender from seed?
It is a very important step to plant lavender. You should follow all these steps carefully so that your plant nourish extremely well. For example, if you sow the seed very deeply then it is a chance that your plant even may not grow. So try to follow these steps to avoid any difficulty.
- First of all purchase the seeds of lavender from the nursery beside your garden or home. There are different varieties of lavender so you can select an appropriate type that suits you and your region very well. Furthermore, to purchase directly seedlings of lavender is an excellent idea.
- After preparing your soil according to the requirements as we have mentioned in the previous section, you can plant your seedling.
- Planting in container or pot is highly recommended to decor the home.
- Before planting, it is very important to check the pH of the soil. The ideal pH level is between 6.5 and 7.5 for lavender. If soil is slightly alkaline then it is much better. If the pH is very high or low then add different nutrients to improve the pH according to the plants need.
- You should dig a hole so that which is enough to hold the roots of lavender. Plants should be planted neither too much deep nor high for best growth. To further improve the development of the plant, add fertilizer into the hole.
- There should be a proper distance between the two seedlings. Two plants should be 2 to 3 feet apart from each other. Lavender plants grow about 1 to 3 feet in height on average.
- After planting lavender, water the plants once or twice in a week.
Lavender plant care?
After planting the seeds, your job has not been ended yet. If you want to obtain the healthiest yield, then you must know Lavender plant care tips. If you want to know how to grow lavender with best plant care then follow these intrusions:
- There should be minimum weeds in your crop. Therefore, you can add mulch to prevent your crop from weeds.
- After planting, water the crop once or twice in a week. When plants become established then water the plant two to three time in a week. So afterward, water the plant heavily but infrequently once in a week until harvest.
- Try to prevent your crop from winter by sheltering. If you are growing lavenders indoor then you should select a window where it can have almost 8 hours of sunlight directly.
- Prune the established plant in the spring when leaves become green from the base and cut them almost one third from the top.
Harvesting lavender
You can start harvesting lavender when more than half of its flower buds have opened. It is better to harvest lavender during morning time. Try to cut the stem as much as possible. Bind them together with the help of a string or rubber bands. Try to place the lavender at a cool spot after harvesting.