How to Grow Lavender
Planning the Site
Find an area that gets full sunlight to optimize growth of your plants. Make sure the soil is light, limy, and well-drained with pH levels of 6.5 to 7.5. This is the optimum pH level but lavender can grow in soils with pH ranging from 6.1 to 8.5. Do not attempt to grow your plants in rich and wet soils if you do not want a product that is sub par. If you plan to grow your lavender indoors, get hold of some standard fluorescent lamps. Lavender could also be grown using hydroponics if you wish. Other alternative sites for growing lavender include vermiculite, coco peat, perlite, Oasis foam, soil-less potting mixes, and rockwool.
Preparing the Site
Mix in some general purpose organic fertilizer to the soil where you will plant your lavender. Aim to space your plants eighteen to twenty-four inches apart.
Required Materials
Lavender seedlings which have been germinated for ten to twenty-eight days are needed for growing lavender in their permanent quarters. General purpose fertilizer is also needed.
Watering Requirements
Lavender is a tough, drought resistant plant. It needs little water once fully-grown. However, do water regularly when starting out. Mulch the base of the plant during early spring.
Nutrients Required
Lavender plants require nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as nutrients to ensure their healthy growth.
Seasons
The growing season for lavender is between May to July in the northern hemisphere, during the times when there is full sunlight.
Expectations/Results
Lavender flowers may take more than a year before they are ready for harvesting. If the cultivated lavender is meant to be used for oil extraction though, plants should be left for another two to three years. The scent of the lavender lies not only in the flowers but also in their stems and leaves. It is best to harvest lavender early in the day when its scent is at its strongest.