Spring brings with it the promise of renewal and growth, making it the perfect time to embark on gardening adventures. And what better addition to your garden than the fragrant and versatile lavender plant? Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice with a green thumb, planting lavender can be a rewarding experience. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to prepare and plant lavender from Bates Lavender Farm, ensuring your garden is bursting with color and aroma this spring.
Step 1: Selecting the Right Variety
Before you start planting, it's essential to choose the right lavender variety for your garden and climate. Bates Lavender Farm offers a range of lavender cultivars, each with its unique characteristics and requirements. Consider factors such as bloom time, growth habit, and cold hardiness to select the variety that best suits your needs. Some popular options include English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French Lavender (Lavandula dentata), and Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas).
Step 2: Choosing the Ideal Location
Lavender thrives in sunny, well-drained locations, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Avoid areas with poor drainage, as lavender plants are susceptible to root rot in waterlogged soil. Prepare the soil by loosening it to a depth of 12-15 inches and incorporating organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to improve fertility and drainage. We like to add a shovel of pea gravel and an half cup of bone meal into each hole.
Step 3: Planting Lavender
Once you've selected the perfect spot, it's time to plant your lavender. Follow these steps for successful planting:
Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of your lavender plant.
Gently remove the plant from its container, being careful not to disturb the roots.
Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill the hole with soil, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets.
Water the newly planted lavender thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.
Ginger Bates in our lavender field, proving that planting lavender can get muddy but that it’s all part of the fun!
Step 4: Mulching and Watering
Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the lavender plant to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Organic mulches such as straw, pine needles, or shredded bark are ideal for this purpose. Water your lavender regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a strong root system. Once established, lavender is relatively drought-tolerant and only requires occasional watering during dry spells.
Step 5: Pruning and Maintenance
To encourage bushy growth and abundant blooms, prune your lavender plants regularly. In early spring, remove any dead or woody stems, as well as spent flower heads from the previous season. Throughout the growing season, pinch back the tips of the stems to promote branching and prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Avoid pruning lavender in late fall or winter, as this can stimulate new growth that is vulnerable to frost damage.
Step 6: Enjoying Your Lavender Garden
With proper care and maintenance, your lavender plants will reward you with their beautiful blooms and intoxicating fragrance throughout the spring and summer months. Harvest the flowers as they begin to open for use in culinary creations, crafts, or aromatic sachets. Sit back, relax, and take pleasure in the beauty and tranquility that lavender brings to your garden.
Planting lavender is a wonderful way to add beauty, fragrance, and versatility to your garden this spring. By following these simple steps for preparation and planting, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a thriving lavender garden that delights the senses and enhances your outdoor space for years to come.
Come visit our family-owned farm — we’d love to share more tips and tricks with you in the field! Happy gardening!