10 reasons to plant lavender in your garden
10 reasons to plant lavender in your garden
Lavender is one of the most versatile and beautiful plants you can grow in your garden. That's why we believe lavender should be part of every gardener's plant collection! Lavender is not only a feast for the eyes, it also has many benefits. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, so if you want to see many butterflies in your garden, lavender is the perfect choice. It also repels mosquitoes and other annoying insects, making it an excellent companion for other plants that attract them. Lavender is also great for attracting hummingbirds because of its fragrant purple flowers. Growing lavender in your garden can help reduce stress, provide oils for use in crafts and natural beauty products, and much more! Check out these 10 reasons to plant lavender in your garden:
When to prune lavender?
Lavender needs to be pruned regularly because it grows very quickly and can become a tangled mess if not maintained. The best time to prune lavender depends on what you want to achieve. Generally, you should prune your lavender in the spring (March/April). You can prune lavender at any time of the year if you have a specific reason. For example, you can prune in the fall to promote better blooming the following year. If you don't prune your lavender, it can become woody, so it's a good idea to keep it under control.
How can you take lavender cuttings?
Lavender is a very easy plant to propagate by taking cuttings. Cuttings are pieces of the mother plant that you can use to make new plants. Plant the cuttings in a pot with moist potting soil, and they will root and grow into new lavender plants within a few weeks or months. Taking cuttings is a great way to increase your lavender plant stock, and the new plants will have the same fragrant lavender flowers as their parent plants. Use a trowel to cut a piece from the mother plant. Make sure to cut both the above-ground and below-ground parts in one cutting and replant it.
Lavender cuttings in 5 steps:
Fill trays with potting soil and gravel or grit. Lavender likes poor, lean soil where water drains well.
Take a 5-8 cm cutting with a dibber from the plant and remove the top.
Insert the lavender cuttings into the soil up to the underside of the leaf.
Place the cuttings in partial shade and water regularly, making sure they do not become too wet.
Let them root for 2 months before planting them outside. A garage is ideal for rooting lavender. Plant them in spring, March-April
How to make lavender tea
You can use both fresh and dried lavender to make a delicious and relaxing cup of tea. Boil fresh lavender flowers in water for 5 to 10 minutes to make a delightful and aromatic tea. Fresh lavender works best for this recipe, so you can enjoy lavender flowers all year round. You can also make dried lavender tea by steeping dried lavender flowers in hot water in a teapot. This delicious tea can be served with or without milk. You can also add dried lavender flowers to your bathwater to relax after a long day.
Lavender is drought tolerant and easy to grow.
Lavender is a very easy plant to care for. It doesn't need much water or other nutrients, making it a great choice if you garden in a dry climate. Lavender tolerates both warm and cold weather, making it an excellent plant to include in your landscape. For best results, mix lavender with other drought-tolerant plants. Lavender is a good companion plant for many other plants. It repels pests, attracts pollinators, and can be used to help your other plants grow bigger and better. Lavender can be grown in various soil types, but it prefers dry and well-drained soil. Lavender plants are also very easy to propagate. You can start a new plant by taking a cutting from an existing lavender plant and planting it in a pot with soil.
Lavender has a delightful scent and an important relaxing function
Lavender has been used for centuries for its calming and sweet scent. It is often used in aromatherapy and in scented oils, soaps, and other beauty products. You can even use lavender to make your own scented candles! However, the best way to enjoy the soothing scent of lavender is by growing your own plants. You can enjoy the beautiful lavender flowers and the delightful fragrance they spread all summer long.
Lavender Suitable for most soil types.
The best thing about lavender is that it can tolerate almost any soil type. You can grow lavender in sandy, loamy, or clay soil. The plant thrives in both acidic and alkaline soil. If you want to grow lavender in sandy soil, add plenty of organic material to improve the texture and retain water better. Lavender also does well in raised beds because it does not like to be too wet.
Lavender flowers are edible
Many people do not realize that the flowers of the lavender plant are edible. Although they do not taste like traditional lavender, they are still a tasty and nutritious treat. Lavender is a great addition to baked goods like scones, shortbread cookies, or muffins. You can also use fresh or dried flowers to flavor syrups, iced tea, and cocktails.
You can use it for natural beauty products.
Lavender is a great natural resource you can use to make a wide range of beauty products. You can use the flowers to make soaps and shampoos, or you can make an aromatic oil with the essential oils found in lavender. You can also use dried lavender flowers to make a fragrant pillow, or you can create a soothing bath by adding lavender to your bathwater. If you want to make your own beauty products, try growing lavender in your garden. It is a great and easy way to get fresh and organic lavender for your beauty products.
Lavender repels mosquitoes
Lavender is an excellent companion plant to repel mosquitoes and other pests. Plant it near other plants that attract pests, and they will stay away from your other plants because of the strong scent of lavender. You can also make a mosquito repellent spray from lavender by steeping the flowers in water and adding a few drops of lemon essential oil. If you spray this on your skin, it keeps mosquitoes away and smells wonderful!
Grow lavender as a living fence or hedge
Lavender is a great plant to grow as a living fence or hedge on your property. The plants grow very quickly and reach heights of 1.5 to 2.5 meters. You can also use different types of lavender for various looks and heights.
Conclusion.
Lavender is a wonderful plant to grow in your garden for many reasons. It is not only a feast for the eyes, but it also has many benefits. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, so if you want to see lots of butterflies in your garden, lavender is the perfect choice. You can also use it to make many different beauty products. It repels mosquitoes and other pests, and it is easy to grow. You can use it to create a living fence or hedge, or you can plant it as a beautiful addition to your garden.