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How
to cultivate this wonderful herb
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| Place
your lavender in the design that makes you happy and allow
room for air currents around the plant when they reach maturity.
Lavender loves the sun and hates to have its feet wet, so
choose a position with good drainage and plenty of sun.
They are great candidates for rock gardens. Place them with
plants that have similar sunlight and watering needs. Select
soil that is well worked, well drained and so loose you
can dig it with your hands. Once established in a garden,
lavender is a hardy and drought tolerant perennial. |
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| Select
a variety appropriate to your area, and pay attention the
the size requirements for your variety. (Some get to 5 feet
across!) Lavender likes a slightly alkaline soil so adjust
accordingly. Some sand and well rotted manure or compost
will get the plant off to a good start. Carefully knock
the plant from its pot, spread the roots, and place the
plant in a hole that accommodates the spread roots. Mixing
a little bone meal into the soil mix below the roots will
slowly release organics that promote both root and leaf
growth. Roots should not be placed directly on the meal,
but on a mix of soil and meal. If the stems are long enough,
give the plant a little shape by pruning, this will start
the stems branching. |
| When
you water the new transplant for the first time, you can
use a liquid fertilizer instead of plain water. A two-inch
mulch of sand will moderate the soil temperature and reflect
heat and light up to the plant. More heat creates more fragrant
blooms. Remove the blossoms in the fall. |
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Prune
your plant in the early spring to 2/3's of its size.
It seems drastic but this will stimulate new growth.
Don't be afraid to "give them a haircut" . They respond
very well to being shaped because plants that are not
pruned may have a tendency to fall open in the middle
and sprawl. Enjoy your lavender, it captures the essence
of summer and is truly the sweetest of herbs.
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more information on Lavender,
it uses, or our products please
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