Need Advice on growing Lavender

[ducks4you]

Every lavender plant I have put in has died. I understand that they "don't like their feet wet", so I've tried to put them in a sunny place that drains. I have acidic, humus-type (perfect farmland) soil. I've tried to add sand when I plant, but they STILL die. Any Advice?

 

[lesa]

I had similar experiences- then I found out that not all lavender is a perennial and not all is winter hardy for my area... I do not know if cold is a problem where you are. Once again, I have planted a lavender from a local grower, who assures me it is the proper plant for my zone. I'll let you know if it comes back in the spring! It really does not sound like your soil is a problem...Good luck!

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks! I guess I hadn't thought about them being annual AND some varieties as perrennial. What about mixing my own soil and self-containing them, as you might do with a plant that spreads? (I'm referring to planting them in a pot that has drainage, but prevents spreading.) My lavendar has NEVER grown as well as the mint, oregano, dill and basil growing in the same area. In fact, my basil REALLY took off this year--3 ft high, lots of leaves and has (thankfully) taken over it's little patch. (You see, I have planted various patches because:
(1) weeds love to grown EVERYWHERE in my yard--it's an old farm property
(2) I hate to mow close to cement and driveway embankments---it's just easier to plant a patch of herbs or, like my patch of miniature roses.

I have placed ground level bricks around them so I can run my mower's wheels over the bricks and get a clean cut.

Anbody have any suggestions for a soil mix for lavendar?

 

[Reinbeau]

Lavender wants sharp drainage and a slightly sweet soil. You're in zone 5, that's getting to the cold side of its range. Try this - make sure you're growing a good, hardy type like Hidcote. Mulch around the roots out to the spread of the plant with sharp sand - not beach sand! Do this before the ground freezes, give it a good 1/2" or so. Lavender really resents wet soil, especially humusy wet soil touching the stem, the mulch keeps it away, plus during the winter when the frost heaves happen the sand falls into any holes that develop and keeps the roots covered.

Also, do not prune lavender plants in the spring until you see new growth. Early pruning promotes growth, you don't want that growth to resume until it's warm enough to not kill it. You definitely can grow lavender in zone 5, but you need to take these precautions or you'll lose the plants every single time.

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks for the help! I don't have any lavendar right now, and, though I don't like to babysit plants, I DO want to dry some homegrown lavendar, so it'll be worth it. I need to know if I have any mulch on hand to use. I keep horses and chickens, pile up/age/use manure from both, I use both pine shavings and straw as bedding for my animals. In what condition could I use any of these as mulch? (And, of course, I have hay!)

Also, would it be a good idea to self-contain lavendar, like is suggested for plants that like to spread, like mint? I have saved old plastic pots from geraniums and trees. They have drainage holes. I believe that I could mix the soil for the lavendar and keep the topsoil from bleeding too much that way. What do You think?

 

[possumqueen]

I haven't had much luck with lavendar, either. I live in North Carolina. I'm FROM Seattle, and my family is still there. Everybody and his brother has lavendar growing all over everywhere. You wade through it walking down the streets.

What have they got that I haven't got?

I DO have heavy red high acid clay. We're famous for our azaleas here. I've improved a lot of my yard with compost. Do I need to lime for lavendar?

And what does "sharp drainage" mean?

thanks!!

 

[Reinbeau]

Heavy soil is the enemy for you down there in NC. Sharp drainage means sandy loam type soil. That clay is what keeps you from growing lavender well. I'll bet you can grow it like gangbusters out in Seattle, I envy them their climate! And yes, you do need to lime that soil if you want to grow lavender at all.

Thanks for the help! I don't have any lavendar right now, and, though I don't like to babysit plants, I DO want to dry some homegrown lavendar, so it'll be worth it. I need to know if I have any mulch on hand to use. I keep horses and chickens, pile up/age/use manure from both, I use both pine shavings and straw as bedding for my animals. In what condition could I use any of these as mulch? (And, of course, I have hay!)

Work the organic matter into the soil, but don't mulch with it for lavender. It just doesn't appreciate a high-organic type mulch.

Also, would it be a good idea to self-contain lavendar, like is suggested for plants that like to spread, like mint? I have saved old plastic pots from geraniums and trees. They have drainage holes. I believe that I could mix the soil for the lavendar and keep the topsoil from bleeding too much that way. What do You think?

No, you don't have to contain it, it is a cousin to mint but doesn't run like it. It doesn't do all that well in pots, mainly due to the drainage issue.

 

[ducks4you]

Thanks, much!! I'm ready to try my hand at it. Got some seeds and I have a new setup for winter seed-starting, so I'll be growing it next year, hopefully with success.

Lavendar is so... (non-chick-flick) romantic--ya know?!?!

 

[Lavender2]

Fantastic advice here, I would follow it to a T.
I have struggled with lavender in this frozen tundra in MN.
My experience, I can grow Munstead, Hidcote, and I've managed to over-winter 'Lady' for two years. I started Lady from seed, I find sometimes that makes a difference with those touchy zone plants. Lady comes true from seed where some others may not, and it also blooms first year from seed. We just had two very harsh winters and I was amazed any of my lavender survived!

Other advice I may add... in zone 5, you could try planting it close to a foundation to protect it from harsh winter winds.
I LOVE lavender, it's one thing I just couldn't give up on! Good luck!

 

[ducks4you]

in zone 5, you could try planting it close to a foundation to protect it from harsh winter winds.
I LOVE lavender, it's one thing I just couldn't give up on! Good luck!

That's a great idea!