Lavender Mulching Tips Learn About Mulch For Lavender Plants

Lavender requires well-drained soil and plenty of space to allow air circulation around plants. When it comes to lavender mulching, the goal is to keep the foliage and the crown as dry as possible. This means using about an inch (2.5 cm.) of mulch that won't trap moisture around the roots.

Should you mulch around lavender?

You should not need to feed your lavender plants. Mulching: Since lavender is drought tolerant, it shouldn't need mulch to conserve soil moisture, other than extreme cases. If you do mulch, use small sized bark or gravel, and be sure to leave several inches clear around the plant crown, or your Lavender may rot.

How do I prepare my soil for lavender?

Plant lavender in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7 and 7.3. You can add builder's sand to the soil before planting to increase drainage, which is vital because lavender will not tolerate excessive soil moisture or humidity.

What is the best fertilizer for lavender plants?

Organic lavender growers often add 8-10 tons of well-rotted manure per hectare and plow well before they transplant the young plants. Then, every 2-3 years, they add 5-6 tons of manure per hectare, most often during the autumn.

How far apart should you plant lavender?

How to plant

Plant the lavender as soon as possible after buying.
Space plants about 90cm (3ft) apart if growing in groups.
If planting a hedge, space plants 30cm (1ft) apart or 45cm (18in) for larger cultivars.
After planting, water regularly, especially in dry weather, for the first season.

What is the best mulch for lavender?

Suitable mulch for lavender includes:

Small, crushed rock.
Pea gravel.
Nut shells.
Pine needles.
Oyster shells.
Coarse sand.

Are coffee grounds good for lavender plants?

No. Coffee grounds are very high in acid and plants such as lavender and aloe do not benefit from them. ... Only use fresh grounds on acid loving plants and even then, do so sparingly.

How much should I water lavender?

Lavender is drought-tolerant, which means mature plants don't need to be watered all the time like your other garden plants. Too much water can leave them susceptible to root rot and fungal disease. Young, newly planted lavender does need regular watering until established (either by irrigation or adequate rainfall).

What is the best potting soil for lavender?

The best potting mix for lavender is light, slightly alkaline and enhanced with slow-release nutrients. Finding a good commercial soil may be difficult, but making one isn't. Mix equal parts of sterilized garden soil, moistened sphagnum peat moss and perlite in a large container.

Is bone meal good for lavender?

Note: An application of bone meal around Lavender plants in the early fall help to make plants stronger and more winter hardy. to make it stronger and more winter hardy. ... Lavender plants growing in pots and other containers will appreciate a consistently damp to slightly moist soil.

Are eggshells good for lavender?

One good potting mix for lavender contains equal parts by volume of soil, sand, perlite, and compost. Some add a few crushed egg shells to help keep a higher pH (alkaline soil) as they decompose. Fertilize sparingly.

How can I make lavender grow faster?

Debbie's Lavender Plant Growing Tips

Give the plants 6 hours or more of full sun each day.
Apply very little water. ...
Grow in well-drained areas or raised beds. ...
If your soil is sandy, mix in some gravel to improve drainage.
Make sure you have good air flow around the plants if you have high humidity.

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.

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.

Does lavender 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.

How fast does lavender spread?

Seeds may take two weeks or more to germinate and several months to reach transplantable size, or about 3 inches tall. Once transplanted into the garden, lavender grows several inches per year, flowering in the second or third year after transplant.

How do you feed lavender?

Little feeding is required, although a sprinkling of potash around the base of plants will encourage more prolific flowering and improved flower colour. Don't add bulky manure or high nitrogen feed as your lavenders in particular, will grow very sappy and flop open.

Will deer eat lavender?

Deer also tend to turn their noses up at fragrant plants with strong scents. Herbs such as sages, ornamental salvias, and lavender, as well as flowers like peonies and bearded irises, are just “stinky” to deer. ... Neither do deer (unless they're desperate). Plants such as lamb's ear are not on their preferred menu.

Are lavender plants frost hardy?

As mentioned above, English lavender is winter-hardy to Zone 5 and may only need a bit of help in the form of a thin layer of straw. Otherwise, lavender shouldn't need any extra care outdoors. Spanish and French lavenders, on the other hand, are only hardy to Zone 8, and will need to be brought indoors in colder areas.

Are eggshells good for plants?

The calcium from eggshells is also welcome in garden soil, where it moderates soil acidity while providing nutrients for plants. Eggshells contain such an abundance of calcium that they can be used almost like lime, though you would need a lot of eggshells to make a measurable impact.

Are tea bags good for plants?

Repel Pests

If you are looking for an organic way to repel pests, your used tea bags can help you. Simply brew a weak tea with old bags and use it to water your plants and also sprinkle on leaves. It is really a great organic way to deter pests and fungal diseases and also provide plants some nutritions in doing so.

How do I get my lavender plant to bloom?

To increase the amount lavender blooms, plant lavender in full sun, with sandy soil and prune in the Spring to stimulate more growth to support more blooms. Watering lavender too frequently and adding fertilizer can stress the plant which causes fewer blooms.