Things You'll Need:
- Shovel Soil testing kit Lime (optional) Decayed compost Lavender plants General plant food Water Pruning shears
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Step 1
Select the site for the lavender. This plant needs an open, sunny location with plenty of room. It will tolerate some shade but cannot survive in cold, wet conditions. It needs soil with good drainage and does not need to be rich. Dig up the soil to a depth of approximately 18 inches, remove rocks and other garden debris and mix in generous amounts of compost. Test the soil and add lime if needed to raise the pH to 7.0.
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Step 2
Plant lavender in the spring. Dig a hole that is deeper than the container. Remove the plant from the container and gently loosen roots with your finger. Put it in the hole, fill the hole with soil and tamp down gently to remove air bubbles. Water to settle the soil. Space 18 to 24 inches apart.
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Step 3
Water the lavender regularly but do not overwater. According to Lavender at Stonegate Farm, lavender needs more watering in the first few years during hot summer months. They recommend avoiding getting the leaves wet while watering as it can cause the plant to split. Wet conditions can cause gray mold; remove and burn affected parts. Applying a general fertilizer will improve the fragrance.
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Step 4
Watch for the lavender to bloom in mid-summer. They are good for cutting just as the flowers open, while the leaves can be picked at any time. Lavender at Stonegate Farm recommends cutting off new growth, as it will make the plant fuller when it blooms. Tie the ends of the cut plant and hang upside down in a dry, airy, hot place. Store dried leaves and flowers in an airtight container. Lavender does not freeze well.
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Step 5
Propagate lavender by taking a cutting in the summer. Cut 2 inches, making sure it has a heel or base of old wood. Trim off the lower leaves and insert into pots of sandy potting mix. Keep the lavender on the dry side until the cutting takes root and new shoots appear. Pot it in a good quality potting mix and transplant to the garden in the spring.
