Growing lavender can be simple, or simply impossible! Frequently I've talked with friends who keep trying to grow lavender but without success. Their plants are temperamental, don't make it through the winter, or fail to thrive.
There are some simple rules for success when it comes to growing this lovely plant. Lavender simply does not like wet feet! It it's roots are kept too moist, the plant will wither away and die. The best soil for growing lavender is a gritty or sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Soil that is wet and has a clay base should be mounded so that it does not hold moisture, thereby keeping the lavender roots from getting soggy and bogged down. Sometimes sand or rock added to the soil is helpful. I'm fortunate to live in an area with sandy soil and it drains well. My lavender plants thrive nicely, even with the 30 minutes of watering they receive each night from the automatic sprinkler system.
There are some simple rules for success when it comes to growing this lovely plant. Lavender simply does not like wet feet! It it's roots are kept too moist, the plant will wither away and die. The best soil for growing lavender is a gritty or sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Soil that is wet and has a clay base should be mounded so that it does not hold moisture, thereby keeping the lavender roots from getting soggy and bogged down. Sometimes sand or rock added to the soil is helpful. I'm fortunate to live in an area with sandy soil and it drains well. My lavender plants thrive nicely, even with the 30 minutes of watering they receive each night from the automatic sprinkler system.
Hi, I'm new to your blog and I'm enjoying it every much.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Lavender. I live in GA and have heavy red clay in my yard. I put builder's sand/grit in my herb garden and my three year old lavender is in full bloom and very healthy. I guess I did the right thing and didn't know it.
Judy S.
McDonough, GA
That looks like an awesome little greenhouse. My wife would love such a thing -- I better not let her see this blog entry :)
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