Top Tricks & Techniques for Growing Lavender

Hello again from the serene fields of Uncommon Ranch in Northern Michigan! I’m Michelle Anschuetz, your guide to all things lavender. Today, I’m excited to share some essential tips and tricks for cultivating this wonderfully aromatic plant right in your own garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious novice, these techniques will help ensure your lavender thrives, bringing beauty and fragrance to your surroundings.

1. Choosing the Right Spot Lavender loves the sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Select a spot in your garden that’s open to plentiful sunshine and away from the shade of large trees or buildings. Good air circulation is also crucial, so avoid overcrowded plantings to minimize the risk of moisture-related diseases.

2. Soil Preparation is Key Lavender thrives in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. If you’re dealing with heavy or clay-rich soil, consider raising your garden beds or incorporating generous amounts of organic compost and gravel to improve drainage. Poorly drained soil can lead to root rot, which is a common issue in cooler climates.

3. Planting Techniques When planting lavender, space your plants about two to three feet apart to ensure they have room to grow and flourish without competing for resources. This spacing also promotes good air circulation, which is vital for preventing fungal diseases. Dig a hole just deep enough to accommodate the root ball and mix in some lime if your soil is too acidic.

4. Watering Wisely Although lavender is drought-tolerant once established, young plants need regular watering during their first growing season to establish their root system. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Once established, lavender generally requires only occasional watering during particularly dry spells, making it a low-maintenance choice for your garden.

5. Pruning and Maintenance Pruning is essential to maintaining healthy lavender plants. In early spring, trim back about one-third of the overall height of the plant to encourage new growth and prevent the center from becoming woody and sparse. After the first flowering, give the plants a light trim to promote a second bloom in late summer or early fall.

6. Winter Protection In colder climates like Northern Michigan, lavender needs some protection to survive the winter. Use mulch, such as straw or evergreen boughs, to cover the plants after the ground freezes. This helps insulate the roots without retaining excessive moisture. Remove the mulch in the spring once the threat of frost has passed.

7. Propagation Expand your lavender garden by propagating from cuttings. Take 3-4 inch stem cuttings from healthy plants in late summer, remove the lower leaves, and insert them into a mix of peat and perlite. Keep the cuttings moist and covered with plastic to retain humidity until they root.

Growing lavender can be incredibly rewarding, offering not just aesthetic pleasure but also a delightful scent and a myriad of uses around your home. At Uncommon Ranch, we embrace these practices to cultivate our lavender organically and sustainably, ensuring that every plant is nurtured to its fullest potential.

If you’re interested in learning more or visiting us, check out our website at www.uncommonranch.com, or give us a call at (833) 275-6369. We’d love to share more about our passion for lavender and sustainable farming!