Lavender Harvest Time How And When To Pick Lavender Plants

The best time to harvest English lavender is when the buds have formed on the plant but the flowers have not yet opened. Lavender flowers harvested at this time of year will fall off the stems more easily when dry, making it easier to collect. Closed buds will also retain fragrance and color longer.

When should lavender be picked?

Harvesting in the spring or early summer gives the plant enough time to possibly produce more flowers for a second cutting. The best time of day to harvest lavender is in the morning, after the dew has dried but before the heat of the sun draws out too much of the fragrant essential oils.

How do you harvest lavender so it keeps growing?

Harvesting and drying lavender is simple – simply snip off the stems just before the flowers open and when you've gathered enough for your needs, tie the stems together and hang them up to dry somewhere sheltered.

When should lavender plants be cut back?

Pruning: Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant's height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. Take care not to cut into the woody part of the plant which can cause damage.

How many times can you harvest lavender per year?

Yes, lavender flowers will grow again either the same season or the following year, depending on when you harvested the flowers. Lavender will grow more flowers a few months later if it has been harvested early spring, giving you two harvests during the warmer months.

Should lavender be cut back?

In general, you need to plan on pruning lavender at planting time and every year right after it flowers. When planting lavender, prune plants lightly, removing all growing tips. This encourages the plant to branch. Use this same technique every year as new growth starts to appear.

How many times a year does lavender bloom?

It thrives in USDA zones 8 through 9. In areas with mild summers and winters, it may bloom up to three times – in early May, June and late summer or early fall.

What is the lifespan of a lavender plant?

Lavenders are not long-lived plants. Expect tender varieties to live for about five years. If pruned correctly, hardy types can live for about 15 years (as many as 20 years, in some cases).

What to do with lavender after flowering?

Right after flowering (or by end Sept), give your plants a very hard trim, as shown in our lavender trimming video here. Cut all the new growth back down to 1-2cms above the older, woody part of the stem - this should leave between one and three leaf buds.

How many acres do you need for a lavender farm?

"One acre of lavender will yield well for 8 to 10 years. An acre supports 34 rows of 80 plants," Byrne explains. "It takes three years from when 4-in.

What happens if you don't prune lavender?

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant's lifespan.

How do you keep lavender from getting woody?

Plant your lavender in well-drained, rocky soil, on a slope (if possible) to ensure drainage. Fertilize them lightly the very first year after planting. After that, do not fertilize regularly. Prune lavender lightly to maintain the rounded shape.

Can I prune lavender in October?

Lavenders are relatively easy to prune and pruning every year will help slow down the formation of wood and extend the vigour and lifetime of your plant. Pruning in late-August or early autumn will encourage good air circulation, which guards against rot.

How do you winterize lavender?

Most lavenders die during winter because the soil they are planted in becomes waterlogged or soggy. Make sure your lavender is planted in a spot that has fast-draining soil, and work organic matter in the form of compost or peat moss as well as horticultural sand into the planting site.

Can you dry lavender after it blooms?

If flowers have bloomed to the tips and you're still wanting to harvest, no worries. Just snip stems and dry. After flowers are dried, you can harvest lavender buds to use in crafts like potpourri, sachets or soaps. Or you can store dried lavender buds to add their sweet floral flavor to kitchen creations.

How do you prune overgrown lavender?

Cut back the top one-third of the lavender plant in late winter or early spring, when new growth begins near the base of the plant. Shape the plant lightly to retain its mounded form and cut out any dead or damaged stems.

Can you divide lavender?

A: It's fairly easy to transplant a lavender plant, but you can't divide them. Lavenders are woody shrubs and if you split one down the middle, it will die. The best time to move lavender is in late winter and early spring.

Does lavender spread in the garden?

How much is it likely to spread? Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.

What is the prettiest lavender?

Best Lavender for Hot & Humid Climates

'Phenomenal®' is a true English lavender that has been tested from Texas to Georgia, and even grows in Florida. Spanish lavenders are also more tolerant of heat and humidity, so if that's the look you're going for, plant 'Anouk' or 'Silver Anouk'.

What months does lavender bloom?

While Lavender is usually regarded as a summer-blooming flower, some Lavender plants are early bloomers with their magnificent blooms appearing early in spring. Others are late bloomers with blooms opening up in midsummer and lasting until late summer. Some bloom almost continuously from spring to summer's end.

Do lavender plants come back every year?

Lavender is a perennial herb that continues to grow each year. ... Lavender is a woody perennial, so it does continue to grow from year to year, but the stems remain upright through the winter in preparation for new spring growth. With proper care and pruning, lavender will survive in the garden for years to come.