PLANTING, LOCATION AND CONDITION

Lavender to me is romantic, fragrant, intense, healing and nostalgic. There are so many uses for lavender, from healing a sunburn to making a favorite recipe or using lavender as a top note in a perfume.

Lavender has been around for centuries. Lavender is very popular today and will be for many years to come. The most frequently asked question is "Can I grow lavender where I live?". The best condition for growing lavender is a region with a dry summer. Too much humidity can cause mildew and fungus. Too much rain can cause root rot. Cold winter regions are also a challenge. I believe where there is a will their is a way!!!

In conditions where the weather gets below 32 degree it is best to plant in containers so they can be easily moved into a basement, green house or room protected from winter weather. Also, keep in mind that lavender loves the sun, so close to a window is the best location. If you get too much summer rain, using a container makes moving the plants to a shelter area much easier.
When planting lavender in the ground there are two key things to remember.

• 1. Sun: plant your lavender in a location were they get at least 6 hours of sun.
  
• 2. Drainage: drainage is important because lavender does not like to have wet roots. So if your soil is rocky that is ideal, if it is not, try adding sand.

I live in Washington State and as most people know, we get our fair share of rain. My soil has excellent drainage; it is very rocky. I use sand around my lavender plants about an inch deep. The sand does several jobs, it adds to the drainage, it attracts heat during the day and as I said, lavender loves the sun, it also acts as a mulch to protect my plants during the winter.

Lavender likes an alkaline soil with a ph of between 6.5 and 7. The amount of hummus in the soil is important too, so choose a spot in your garden that is rich in compost.

PRUNING

Whether in the ground or in containers it is good to prune your lavender. Cutting it back to just above where the green begins is best, but do not cut below the green or you can lose your plant. You should see at least 1 inch of green foliage. Pruning can be done in the spring just before blooming or in fall after summer blooming. While pruning don't forget to give your plants shape. If you don't prune lavender will becomes too woody and not attractive with very few spikes of lavender. So remember this, pruning is a good thing...it stimulates new growth!

HARVEST

The harvest is what lavender farms wait for all summer, the pleasure of standing in the middle of their lavender fields is an amazing experience. The smell of the lavender, the beautiful color of the flowers and the feeling of peace that summer brings fills you with such gratitude that rewards you for all your hard work. You could easily spend the entire day there in all its beauty, that is the best way I can describe my feelings about a lavender harvest.

In early morning right after the dew is dry on the flowers is a good time to harvest. The lavender spikes should be cut when most all of the flowers have opened. Cut where the stem meets the leaves. Tie in bunches using a rubber band hang upside down in a dry dark place with good air circulation. In 2-3 weeks you will have preserved your lavender to use as you like.