Lavender is known for its vibrant purple blooms, but gardeners should be aware that fertilising this plant in June can actually harm its flowers. This may seem strange since fertiliser usually encourages flowering, but lavender is a Mediterranean plant that thrives in poor soil conditions in warm weather.
Fertilising lavender at this time of year can lead to the leaves growing unnaturally fast at the expanse of flower production. You will have a floppy lavender plant with lush foliage, no flowers and be greatly weakened since it has wasted all its energy.
However, Mike and Sandra, the farmers who own Willamette Valley Lavender, have shared that getting healthy lavender blooms is as easy as adding two simple things to the soil.
They said: “The soil should be sandy or gravelly to allow excess water to drain away from the roots, preventing rot. If you have heavy clay soil, mix in gravel or sand to improve drainage.”
Lavender grows in dry gritty soil in natural environment which makes it very hardy but it is vulnerable to dying it the ground is waterlogged.
Water can travel quickly through sand and gravel so it will not stay in the soil and cause the roots to become mouldy and rotten.
Adding sand and gravel stop water build up after it has rained and also helps more air get into the soil which stop the plant from becoming suffocated.
However, it should be noted that even if lavender does not like sitting in wet soil it still needs to be water regularly in summer if you want it to flower.
The farmers said: “Water thoroughly once a week or when the soil is completely dry two to three inches below the surface. Always water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage dry and prevent disease.”
Since lavender loves dry soil, it is better to feel the surrounding ground to see if it needs to be watered to keep it healthy rather than watering on a schedule.
Wait until late summer when flowering ends to prune lavender as it will attract more pollinators which help the plant grow bigger and healthier flowers.
The farmers said: “Allow lavender flowers to bloom throughout the summer months. The blooms will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. “
Adding the right things to the soil, watering the plant properly and pruning later on will help lavender bloom so you can enjoy better flowers throughout summer.
