How do you care for lavender in October?
You want to heavily prune and shape young lavender plants for two reasons: 1) It helps develop a tight, compact, shaped base that will keep the plant healthy for years to come, and 2) Pruning in the fall drives energy away from the plant surface and down into the roots, which is what you want for the winter. With proper care, lavender plants will survive for 10- 15 years. Lavender should be pruned every year after flowering. Shear back the plants to half its size to stimulate new growth and a bushier vibrant plant.Lavender is very drought tolerant, but like all other drought-tolerant plants needs watering until established. Avoid feeding with high-nitrogen feeds, which encourages soft growth, so use a high potash plant food instead, which encourages flowering and strong, hardy growth.Because lavender is a semi-woody shrub, it has a tendency to develop elongated, woody stems if plants aren’t pruned regularly. Not only do these scraggly stems produce fewer blooms, they eventually sprawl outward, leaving an ugly hole in the middle of your plant.Lavender also grows quite well in containers. In the Deep South, it actually does better in pots, as it benefits from improved drainage and air circulation. While the plants thrive in arid Western climates, they are usually considered annuals in the South.
What month do you prune lavender?
Carry out lavender pruning in late August, just after flowering has finished. Don’t leave it too late, as any re-growth will need time to harden up before the first frosts. You can also trim your lavenders in April, but this will delay flowering slightly. If you forget to prune or chose not to prune, the plant will be just fine. They are very forgiving plants — in fact, many people kill their lavender by pruning too much or at the wrong time of year. In colder climates, we recommend pruning anytime in the month of May — never in the fall.It’s best to cut lavender in spring before shoots develop — around February. You can cut individual sprigs throughout the summer and cut back a little harder in autumn.More from Jack: “Prune flowers as and when they’ve finished, remove as many of the flower stems as possible as this helps to encourage further flowers. You can prune lavenders right up until the end of October, but make sure to have finished pruning long before the frosts of winter descend.An easy way to grow more Lavender is from stem cuttings. This is the process of using 10-15 cm long pieces of stems to grow new plants.
Should you deadhead lavender in September?
Lavender typically finishes flowering in August and September, depending on the variety. When this happens, you should then choose whether you want to deadhead your plant or not. Whichever option you choose, it’s also a good idea to prune your lavender after flowering. So – how can you tell if your lavender plant survived? The plant will begin showing signs of green in the spring, but the exact time will depend upon your hardiness zone. By mid-april in Zone 8 most of our plants are sporting a solid green hue as the new stems emerge from the woody plant base.Light: Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow best. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive. Soil: Lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don’t amend the soil with organic matter before planting. Lavender performs best in neutral to slightly alkaline soils.Annuals To Plant With Lavender Flowering vinca, New Guinea impatiens, moss rose, and lantana thrive in full sun and have bright and cheerful colors that pop against the silvery foliage of a lavender plant.Keep in mind that lavender prefers to live in the garden or in a pot outdoors. Requiring significant sunlight, it is nearly impossible for them to thrive as a houseplant. So, it is best to find a sunny, well-draining location in the garden, or a pot, for your lavender.
What to do with lavender in September?
Hardy lavenders are best pruned after they have finished flowering in late August or September. Traditional advice used to be that you should never cut into the old wood. However, opinions have changed and gardeners are now told to cut back to about 22cm (9ins). It is a plant that does not need much watering and overwatering is a common lavender growing mistake. Water it too much and it can cause root rot, which can ultimately lead to premature death.Lavenders thrive in well-drained, sandy soil, so planting them on a small mound can help prevent root issues. Spacing is also important—if they are too crowded or pressed against a corner, they will naturally lean outward in search of space and light.Lavender Propagation: Avoid This Common Mistake When Taking Cuttings When taking lavender cuttings, you want to avoid growth that is too soft because it may not root properly and is more prone to rot.More Tips for Winter Success Well-Drained Soil Is Key: More lavender is lost to winter rot than cold. Plant in sandy, well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging. Mulch Sparingly When Needed: A light mulch of gravel or sand (not heavy organic mulch) helps insulate roots while keeping moisture levels balanced.