Planting Tips & Tricks

We get lots of questions here at the Lavender Farm about planting, maintaining, and keeping up with lavender, so we wanted to answer the most common. Note: all varieties we sell require pretty much the same care and techniques.

Q. What is the best way to plant lavender?

A. Water the plant in the pot a good amount when you get it home. Find a spot that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sun and dig a hole at least the size of the pot. Then take the plant out of the pot and water again to loosen the roots. Place the lavender in the hole and cover with soil. You can also use pebbles, rocks or sand around the base to avoid fungal buildup. Water again afterward, and then continue to water a couple times a week for the following few weeks. The Spring or Fall is the best time to plant but you can still do so in the Summer. If you plant in the Fall, do so at least 8 weeks before the first average frost. Planting in the Spring? Wait until the last frost has passed. If planting in the warmer months make sure to water every other day or so as to not let the plant dry out.

See more Care tips here.

Q. When does Lavender bloom?

A. Lavender blooms in late June early July. When September comes, you should prune your plant back about ⅓ to prepare it for colder months. When in bloom, you can pick the Lavender or just leave the beauty of the plant as is. You don’t have to cover the plant through the winter, but adding mulch around the soil helps to keep the ground temperate.

Q. What type of soil does Lavender grow best in?

A. Lavender plants do not like acidic soil and prefer to be in sweeter soil. You can use lime dust/granules to spread around each plant in the fall, about ¼ of a cup. Fertilizing isn’t necessary the first year, however if you choose to do so, a light dusting of an organic Plant Tone in the Spring is best. You should place the plants about 12-18 inches apart in well draining soil. Lavender is a shrub and prefers to be planted in the ground rather than planters.

Q. I want to cook with Lavender. Which variety is best?

A. Traditional English Lavender (angustifolia) is a great addition to anything sweet - shortbreads, sugar cookies or simple syrup. Provence Lavender is more on the savory side and can be used when cooking meats. Try adding a little sprinkle to dishes and then increasing depending on your taste preference. You can mix Lavender with seasonings, marinades, teas & lemonades, anything you’d like to try. If you’re using fresh lavender then you’ll need to double the amount you use in recipes as the oil is contained in the bud. The leaf does have flavor but the bud is were the oil is most concentrated.

Q. How do I pick Lavender and dry it?

A. You can pick Lavender before the flowers are fully open. Create bunches of about 100 stems and hang upside down out of direct sunlight. You can also put the picked Lavender in a vessel with no water and let it dry that way.