The soil in a spot that receives full sun and has good drainage is the best place to plant lavender in your garden. Make sure the location you chose doesn't become very damp. A sunny, dry section of your garden is a perfect place for lavender plants. Hence, consider planting lavender in a problem area that receives little water and where you have problems growing other plants.
The optimum time to plant lavender in your garden is in the spring, just as the soil begins to warm up, but before the summer heat really sets in. You could plant them in the fall if you live somewhere with a mild climate. New plants might not make it through the winter, though, if you live in a cold climate as I do. You don't need to worry too much about the timing if you're growing lavender in pots.
Try planting lavender in pots rather than the garden if your soil is too moist or heavy. Lavender in pots requires similar maintenance to lavender in a garden. Simply make sure the container you select has drainage holes in the bottom. Also, utilise quick-draining potting soil to prevent overwatering of the plants.
It's crucial to make sure the container you grow your lavender plants in has proper drainage because the less is more principle is particularly applicable to potted lavender plants. Never let lavender sit in a tray of water while watering it in pots; always let the water drain fully out of the drainage holes. Lavender is a drought-resistant plant that enjoys somewhat dry soil, but don't let it get too dry.
Another crucial element of good lavender plant care is using the right kind of soil. The most crucial consideration when choosing the ideal soil for growing lavender plants is proper drainage. It is crucial to make sure the soil doesn't retain water for an extended period of time because they cannot tolerate having damp feet. Lavender does well in subpar soil as long as the soil drains quickly.
If your garden soil is particularly poor, you can consider applying compost as a side dressing to your plants once or twice a year as part of your regular lavender plant care regimen. Yet, composting doesn't even have to be done for lavender. Years of neglect have resulted in my plants growing, yet I've never given them any compost or fertiliser.
The fact that you don't have to worry about bugs or other insect pests attacking your plants is one of the best things about growing lavender. In fact, the plant's potent aromas may assist to keep pests away from the garden. Even better news for those of us who have to deal with those furry garden pests is that lavender is also resistant to deer and rabbits.
Overpruning is the key thing to avoid while trimming lavender plants. The woody stems below fresh growth should never be cut because they won't grow back. Early in the spring, when new growth begins, prune your plants, and then again once the flowers begin to fade in the summer.
When the buds open, when the oils in lavender flowers are at their strongest, is the optimum time to cut the blooms. For more concentrated oils, harvest the lavender in the morning. Don't worry if you waited too long to harvest and the flowers have already opened. The flowers can still be cut and used in crafts and cooking, but the oils won't be as strong.
It is possible to multiply lavender plants by either cultivating the seeds or allowing stem cuttings to root. You might try dividing apart a clump of young plants if they are growing together. Nevertheless, unlike many other varieties of perennials, mature lavender plants cannot be divided because they are a shrub. Thus, I'll limit my discussion below to how to cultivate lavender from seeds or cuttings.