Nature is something that makes our lives special and you will certainly agree that we cannot live without it. Nature has a goal of providing us with a chance to rejuvenate our energy after spending a whole day at work. That’s why you will see many people planting gardens in their backyards. Even individuals who live in apartments use tricks to adapt their terraces and walls to fit plants.
However, many more people plant for a living. You will see that there are a lot of farms at the seaside that focuses on one or more plants. One plant, in particular, has become quite popular in the last couple of years, lavender. Not only that it looks beautiful, but it also provides growers with a chance to earn. A good example of how this works is the lavender farm in Ontario, which you learn about at HerewardFarm.
There are so many products that are made of lavender, and all of them are a great way for the growers to earn. The plant is used in numerous ways, such as making crafts, skincare, and even food recipes. Today, we want to provide you with a couple of tips and tricks that beginners can use to enhance the growth of lavender.
1. Choosing the Type
Before you should conduct this sort of project, you should think about the type of lavender you should plant. We can see that many people don’t know that this is an important element since most believe that lavender is just one type. Of course, the choice you will make is personal. You need to think about whether you like that particular type, and if you want to earn, choose the type that can help with maximizing the profits.
The first thing we want to point out is that English lavender is much more sustainable than other types. It will last much longer and it will be more resistant to the pests that might attack it. Furthermore, it is a much more attractive one for the bees. All these elements will make it much healthier. If you cannot find this one in your area, then you should opt either for Spanish or French lavender.
If you can find English lavender, then you should proceed to choose the particular strain. In most cases, you will find two options, Munstead and Hidcote. Once again, your needs and preferences will play a significant role in this decision. Both of these will provide a significant amount of pollen and nectar for the bees. So, you see that choosing the right type is significant and you should commit to it.
2. How to Plant It?
The next thing we feel is important to address is how to plant the lavender. Naturally, you should plant them at the right time. We would advise you to do that between March and May. Another thing to know is that planting these in heavy soil is quite problematic. So, you should improve the drainage as much as possible before you do it. Using a slight mound can help with preventing water logging.
If you don’t have land where you can do it, then using pots is a good option for you. A good option for you would be to use terracotta pots. Just remember to make a hole in the bottom to improve the drainage. Planting these in the right spot will make all the difference. So, you should place them in a spot where they will be exposed to sunlight, which will enhance their growth.
3. Soil Prep
The preparation of the soil is another thing that will make a significant difference in the growth of lavenders. We have mentioned the importance of drainage. The reason why it is essential for the growth of lavenders is that plants that do not have the proper conditions, mainly this one, is that lavenders will often die out. The same can be said about winter drainage, especially when the winters can be quite harsh.
From the experience of the specialized gardeners, you will see that these should be planted in raised soil. On average, you will see that these mounds should be at least twelve inches tall. Sometimes, they can go for up to twenty-four. Of course, it depends on numerous factors. For instance, this can be quite important for owners who live on clay soil, which requires other levels of preparation.
Achieving alkaline soil is complicated, but it is not impossible to achieve it. A good way to resolve this problem is to add some oyster shells to the planting holes. Some gardeners will advocate for the addition of a mixture of lime and bone meal to the soil to reach the proper levels of pH. All these elements will amount to proper soil preparation, which is essential.
4. Harvesting and Storing
Lastly, we want to talk about harvesting and proper storing. Harvesting is easy, and you can do it simply by cutting off them from the plant. Still, we want to point out that you shouldn’t clip too many of the flowers since it can prevent the lavender from looking as full as it needs to be. When you do that, you need to know that storing should be as careful as possible.
What needs to be understood is that the flowers will keep the perfume for a long time. So, you don’t need to worry about it too much. The only trick you can use to keep it as long as possible is to harvest them before they become too open to preserve the smell. The place where you should store them should be dark, and the flowers should be kept in the dark.
The Bottom Line
Growing lavender has become quite a popular thing in the last couple of years. People have understood just how financially beneficial this can be. At the same time, it is a good option for a habit for many people. Here, you can see the main four tips that can help with growing lavender.
