Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
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Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade, with excellent air circulation.
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Frost tolerant
A hardy perennial from the Mediterranean, lavender will survive winter temperatures to -17C / 0F.
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Feeding
Not generally needed beyond annual topdressing with rich compost in spring.
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Companions
Colourful petunias, nasturitums or other annual flowers that contrast with lavender’s gray-green foliage and blue flowers.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 40cm (1' 3") each way (minimum)
Rows: 35cm (1' 1") with 50cm (1' 7") row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost. Some strains are propagated only from rooted cuttings. A mature clump of lavender will grow to 60 cm (24") wide.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Try different strains, and even species, to find the right lavender for your climate. Lavender demands excellent drainage, and benefits from dry, airy conditions.
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Harvesting
Gather spikes of lavender flowers as soon as they open, and dry in small bundles before storing in an airtight container. You can also dry lavender branches for use in recipes, sachets or potpourri.
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Troubleshooting
Wait until spring to prune back lavender plants, because the dead stems help shelter the base of the plants from harsh winter weather.
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