Should you harvest lavender the first year?

If you are just starting out growing lavender, keep in mind that it takes about three years for the plants to reach their peak maturity and to give you the greatest harvest. You can pick some in the first year or two, although leaving the plants alone allows them to grow and develop more.


When should I harvest my lavender?

When to Harvest Lavender. The best time to harvest lavender is: early, on many levels! Early spring, early bloom, early morning. Harvesting lavender flowers in the early spring will give the plant ample time to produce another flush of blooms to enjoy again in the late summer to fall.

Will my lavender bloom the first year?

Once the lavenders are settled in the ground they will grow slowly the first year, but most of them will bloom, and by next year you will have a splendid supply of lavender to plant into a hedge or use as a colorful border for your perennial bed.


Should you prune lavender in the first year?

Lavender only requires a light trim in its first year, but to avoid the plants from becoming leggy in future, it's important to get them off to a good start. Make sure you know when to plant lavender for plant health, too. Tackle pruning new lavender during the summer, after the plant has flowered.

Should lavender be harvested before it blooms?

You can harvest lavender any time during the day. But be sure to cut the flowers before the buds open for the best fragrance and flavor. You can also pick them after they bloom, but the oils won't be as strong.


Lavender - Pruning 1 year old plants in time for Winter



Does cutting lavender encourage more flowers?

Lavender bushes need to be cut back every year to keep them from growing out of control. “Pruning lavender keeps it looking full, encourages new growth and flowering, and gives you lots of fresh tips to harvest throughout the season,” says Amy Fedele, a home gardening expert and Pretty Purple Door blogger.

What happens if you don't trim lavender?

Prune for healthier lavender plants

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant's lifespan.

Will lavender grow back after pruning?

“It's true that lavender doesn't regenerate if you cut hard back like this, but you can often find signs of young shoots sprouting from those lower, woody stems. This is a good indication that hard pruning could help to regenerate the plant.


What can I do with woody lavender?

Here's what to do with woody lavender plants: prune them. Pruning woody lavender plants is the key to rejuvenating them. For restorative pruning, be sure to sterilize the pruners by soaking them in a solution of water and denatured alcohol to prevent disease spread. It's also important that the tool blades are sharp.

Why doesnt my lavender come back every year?

Lavender requires an annual prune to stay healthy and may not come back if it has been pruned too harshly or not been pruned properly for many years. All lavenders require well draining soil as they do not tolerate cold and damp soils in Winter.

Does lavender spread once planted?

Lavender is a small shrub that usually grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide. The height includes the flower stalks, so when not in bloom, the foliage may be only a foot tall. The plant does not spread as thyme, oregano, and other herbs tend to.


How long does it take for lavender to grow to full size?

Space lavender plants 18-24 inches apart into light, well aerated, gravelly soil. Lavender grows about 1-2 feet tall and wide depending on variety and takes 3 years to reach full size.

How do you harvest homegrown lavender?

Harvesting and drying lavender is simple – simply snip off the stems just before the flowers open and when you've gathered enough for your needs, tie the stems together and hang them up to dry somewhere sheltered.

How do you harvest lavender so it keeps growing?

To harvest lavender, it's best to use a pair of pruning shears. Cultivated lavender flowers should be cut at a junction where two new leaves, blooms, or branches appear. Cutting down the lavender will allow it to produce more and grow fuller.


How do you dry fresh lavender?

The best way to dry lavender is to cut handfuls that are not too large and hang the bunches in a warm and dry place with good circulation and little to no direct sunlight. Warm and dry spaces will help the lavender dry more quickly and too much direct sunlight can fade your lavender quickly.

How many years does lavender last?

When sited correctly and pruned judiciously, lavenders should live for five to seven years. Although lavender is fairly drought tolerant, adequate moisture is required throughout the growing season. Most critical are the weeks after planting to ensure that soil around the rootball does not dry out.

Should you deadhead lavender?

While deadheading can encourage new blooms and tidy up your plants, it's not absolutely necessary. Lavenders cope just fine with their old blooms still attached, and they normally fall off after a couple of months anyway.


Should I cut lavender back before winter?

A. Unpruned lavenders tend to become woody and have decreased blooms. However, lavender should not be pruned during the winter. Unlike many perennial plants and shrubs that can be pruned now, it is best to wait to prune lavender until after bloom in spring or in early fall before any danger of frost.

How long does it take for baby lavender to grow?

Lavender Germination Time

Some are a bit faster (2-3 weeks), but most can take a month or more to sprout, so be patient. It's also important to note that germination tends to be very uneven. You'll probably notice that some will sprout faster than others. This is normal, so don't give up on the slow pokes too soon.

Why is my lavender plant woody?

Lavender can live up to 20 years, but plants often get woody after six to eight years. Heavy soil and regular summer watering are primary reasons for this problem. To encourage longer life, let plants dry out in summer before watering. If you have clay soil, plant on a slope and/or amend soil in the planting area.


How do you winterize lavender?

If your plant will be inside for the winter, keep it in a cool, non-freezing location with sunlight and air circulation. Slow down watering of plants. Lavender prefers a dry soil, and the amount of rain that naturally falls will be sufficient for the plant.

Can I cut lavender back to the ground?

Just remember to always prune lavender above the leaves. Never cut lavender back to wood below all of the growth, because lavender will not grow back from old wood. Step 3: Cut off any dead branches – You can cut any dead branches all the way down to get rid of them.

Is it too late to prune lavender in March?

The first trim needs to be done by early March. This is the trim that tidies up your plants for summer and encourages lots of flowers. Lavender that was planted last year must not be spared! It is often fine, even preferable to let a shrub settle in for its first year with little or no trimming.


Should lavender be cut back in fall or spring?

The best time to prune your lavender is in the fall, at least 6 weeks before your first frost date. In our part of the country, that means we start pruning the fields as soon as we're done with the essential oil distillation at the end of September, with the aim of finishing by mid-October.