How to care for lavender?

 Lavender is an evergreen shrub with beautiful, small, intensely blue flowers and a captivating fragrance. Fields covered with lavender are one of the symbols of the charming French Provence. 

Due to the wonderful appearance, aroma and valuable properties of this plant, more and more often we decide to grow it in home gardens, on terraces and balconies. 

Especially that it repels many insects, including mosquitoes, ticks and ants, and after drying it can be used in cosmetics and herbal medicine. So, let's see how to care for lavender.


Where to plant lavender?

As lavender originally comes from the Mediterranean climate, it is very important to make every effort to find the right place for the seedlings. Otherwise, the plant will not take root or will not grow as fast and bloom profusely as we would like. The place we choose for lavender cultivation must be sunny, preferably from the south or west. 

In addition, it is extremely important that it is airy - proper air circulation is as necessary for lavender as the sun. Therefore, positions located in hollows should be avoided, and the bushes should not be planted too tightly. Then too much moisture would threaten them, and in the worst case, fungal diseases.


What substrate does lavender require?

Lavender is an evergreen shrub that thrives best in light, well-drained, moderately fertile, alkaline soil. Ideally, the pH is between 6.5 and 7.5. Lavender seedlings are unlikely to stand a chance in heavy, clayey soils, which are quite common in our climate, especially after winter. 

Therefore, in spring, before we start planting them, the soil should be loosened with sand and compost. In spite of everything, in the summer you can not forget about regular watering of young bushes, but you should avoid sprinkling the leaves and flowers. Also, lavender should not be allowed to stand in wet soil.


How and when to cut lavender?

Choosing the right position and proper care of young lavender seedlings is half the battle. And how to care for lavender when it grows up a bit? Well, a very important procedure is the pruning of the bush. Forming pruning, which is done in autumn, preferably in September, serves to give the plant a nice shape and density. In turn, cutting flower shoots for bouquets should be at the beginning of April.

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