Tips from Olle Garden Bed: How to Maintain Lavender In Winter

Gardeners like lavender because of its soft fragrance, beautiful flowers and medicinal and cooking purposes. From lavender lattes and desserts to natural sleeping aids to help wounds and control pain, it is easy to understand why lavender is the favorite in the garden. Lavender is a kind of pollinating plant, which attracts many bees, butterflies and ladybugs into the garden. But can lavender survive in the cold winter? The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

To winterize your lavender plant, you may need some tools. Give your lavender proper growth requirements and help it adapt to the temperature will make them happy.

Tools you need
Growth lamp (if required)
High quality potted soil
Gardening Glove
Watering can
lime

How to overwinter lavender indoors and outdoors

When it is necessary to overwinter lavender, there are several things to remember. First, you need to determine the type of lavender you are planting, and then, which area you want to plant. Lavandula angustifolia is the most common type of lavender in Britain. In most places, you can put English lavender outdoors in winter because it can resist the cold.

However, Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and French lavender (Lavandula dentata) cannot resist the cold. Depending on your area, this species may need to be brought indoors for protection. If you plant this lavender in Zone 8 or higher, you can leave it outdoors for winter. Other planting areas will need to winter indoors.

In general, lavender grows best in areas 5 to 8. In Zone 5 or warmer areas, you can put lavender outdoors in winter with little protection. Using materials such as straw, leaves, or sawdust, you can cover the plant around to protect it from the cold.

In other areas, lavender plants need to overwinter indoors to continue planting until the cold months. You can take the planting basin or container indoors to prevent adverse conditions.

Ideal lighting and temperature for lavender

Lavender plants like sunshine and grow best outdoors. However, some gardeners bring their lavender plants indoors in winter to further protect the plants. Planting lavender indoors in winter may require growing lights or a sunny place near the window to ensure that the plants get enough sunlight. They need about six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day.

In colder months, plants enter a resting state, so they will not bloom or produce new growth from September to April. Although the growth is limited in recent months, lavender plants still need sufficient sunshine in winter.

The ideal temperature for winter lavender is between 40 ° F and 65 ° F. Lavender likes cool temperature in winter, and should be away from extreme high temperature or cold fluctuations - this includes air flow and radiator.

When spring is approaching or the temperature at night reaches above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you can safely move the lavender plants back to the outside. Before re transitioning plants, check the frost date in your area.

Watering and care

In winter, lavender needs much less water than usual because the plant is in a dormant state. Maintaining lavender in winter requires moist, well drained soil. However, you should avoid flooding plants and causing root rot. When the top inch of soil feels dry, water the plants - whether your plants are indoors or outdoors.

When pruning lavender plants, do not reduce any growth in autumn and winter. Pruning can only be carried out after the plants bloom in spring and summer.

How to apply fertilizer

Lavender originated in the Middle East and Mediterranean region, where this plant flourishes. To match the soil from his hometown, add 1 teaspoon of lime to the soil to help plants thrive.

Fertilize when plants produce new growth and flowers in spring, but avoid feeding lavender when it is dormant in winter. This will hinder the overall growth of plants and make the nutrients in the soil unutilized.

Don't let the cold stop you!

If you follow the steps below, it is relatively easy to care for lavender in winter. Whether your lavender shines indoors or outdoors, remember to give them what they need!