Growing lavender: How to cultivate, prune, and fertilise effectively

Although lavender is mainly associated with Provençal fields, it can also be successfully grown in the UK. This versatile plant is not only beautiful but also highly functional. Its intense fragrance repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests, making it an ideal addition to any garden.

Caring for lavender is not complicated but requires consistency. Regular pruning of shoots is vital, as it stimulates the plant for more vigorous growth. It is best to do this in early spring and after flowering in summer or early autumn. This way, the lavender will maintain a compact form and bloom profusely.

Lavender grows best in sunny places where the soil is well-drained, light, and moist. Avoid planting it in the shade and clayey and heavy soil, as this will make it difficult to bloom. To provide the lavender with adequate drainage, it’s worth adding clay aggregate, small stones, or broken pieces of clay pots to the bottom of the planting hole. The same applies to lavender grown in pots.

Proper watering is also essential. Lavender does not like excess water, so water it moderately once a week, pouring water directly onto the roots. Also, remember about proper fertilisation. You can use special fertilisers for flowering plants, but homemade fertiliser also works excellently.

Creating homemade lavender fertiliser is simple and cheap. It can be prepared in two ways: a fermented version, which is more robust, or a non-fermented version. The non-fermented version is weaker, which may be advisable if we water vegetables, trees, and fruit bushes with it. Lavenders should be watered with fertiliser 1-2 times a week, and ornamental flowers should be watered less frequently—every 3-4 weeks.

To strengthen lavender with natural fertiliser, dissolve 50 grams (1.8 ounces) of fresh yeast in 5 litres (1.3 gallons) of warm water. After an hour, the conditioner is ready to use. However, remember to dilute it in the proportion of 1 cup of fertiliser to 10 litres (2.6 gallons) of water. If you need a smaller amount, keep the proportion of 10 grams (0.35 ounces) of yeast per 1 litre (0.26 gallons) of water.

The fermented version of the fertiliser is prepared by adding sugar and the same amount of water to the yeast. After a week of fermentation, the fertiliser is diluted like the non-fermented version.

Lavender is not only an ornamental plant. Its flowers can be used in homemade aromatic compositions, as a culinary addition, sachets for wardrobes, and even in the kitchen. Dried lavender flowers are significant in aromatherapy, helping with relaxation and improving sleep quality.