11 insights and tips on growing lavender from the owners of a lavender farm

LavandaMia is a family lavender farm created by Vitalik and Anya, two lavender-minded guys.

We started this whole story three years ago with trembling in the knees and in complete uncertainty, whether we need it at all and why.

We had no start-up capital. There was just a very difficult piece of land, hands, madness and courage… Today we are the owners of a small lavender farm near Pinsk. We do not sell our products by wholesale, but make bouquets, sachets, natural soap, and oil-souffles on their basis – and offer them to the consumer.

To experienced lavender growers and lavandah growers (connoisseurs) our observations will not seem new. But for newcomers, we hope they will be interesting – what if someone wants to follow in our footsteps?

In order to respect the general principle of “don’t disturb the plant”, you need to know how it grows. Here are our insights and practical tips for beginners when it comes to growing lavender.

Tip 1

Lavender seeds must be allowed to stand in the fridge for 2-3 months before sowing, or you can place them in a container (pot), cover with plastic, and leave outside until February; otherwise, they will not germinate. In February-March, the container with seeds should be brought to a warm place, water, and wait for sprouts.

Tip 2

Keep in mind: the survival rate of summer cuttings is higher than that of autumn cuttings. Cuttings can be planted in containers (pots) or directly in the ground. Cuttings take root better in soil. Summer cuttings are made during the first cutting of flowers. Autumn cuttings are made during the autumn cutting. Rooted in the ground cuttings are covered with spunbond for the winter.

Cuttings rooted in containers during the winter should be in a cold (not below 5-7 ° C) light room and watered occasionally.

Tip 3

Before planting, cuttings are treated with Epin, Kornevin, other similar means. Stems of cuttings, which will be buried in the ground, should be freed from the leaves to avoid rotting.

By dividing the bush in the spring or fall, as well as by grafting adult bushes in the summer, it is easy to increase the number of plants.

Tip 4

Lavender prefers poor soils. Surprising in its ability not only to germinate but also to bloom beautifully and develop between the road tiles. The first time we sowed lavender in soil with construction debris. It sprouted with a brush.

Tip 5

Lavender absolutely does not like fertilizer. We never feed it anything.

Tip 6

Watering is limited. Too much water leads to rot. Watering is only necessary during dry spells and after cutting flowers. Cuttings for rooting are watered two to three times a week.

Tip 7

Lavender shaping is achieved by pruning cuttings and seedlings and pruning adult plants – spring and fall pruning. Remember, pruning should not be too low so as not to remove the buds from which the stems and flower stalks develop. By pruning the plant in a container you can get interesting forms – bonsai.

In the south of Belarus lavender grows well, blooms from May-June until October, mass flowering is observed twice a summer.

Tip 8

Do not forget that lavender is a southern plant. During harsh, snowless winters, even in southern Belarus and Poland, lavender needs to be covered. In containers it overwinters on glass balconies.

Tip 9

The most practical approach is to grow common narrow-leaved lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which tolerates cold, unlike many popular varieties.

Tip 10

We haven’t seen any enemies of lavender among insects, nor have we had to observe any of its diseases. Oddly enough, though, the insecticidal properties of lavender in the home are, in our opinion, exaggerated – lavender does not save against moths.

Tip 11

Lavender has been lovingly cultivated in Russia since ancient times, in fields and greenhouses. It is a stylishly delicate and fragrant plant that will still come in handy today: in a bouquet, pillow, sachet bags or toys, a cup of tea, lemonade, compote, jam, even in the bath, and fireplace. Lavender can be used to make many different bouquets in combination with other dried flowers.

But this simple plant has a strong masculine character and requires attention and respect.

We wish everyone success in growing the “blue gold” that never goes out of style!