Last summer, I bought several lavender plants, and they seem to be doing really well. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I’ll see lots of new blooms this summer. I really would like to grown a lot more, but buying so many plants is pretty expensive, so I ordered seeds, and I’m just waiting for it to warm up a bit more before I start the seeds.
Before I get started, I’m reading up on how to grow lavender.
I’m also reading about how to harvest it properly, because I’m very hopeful that I’ll have pretty bundles hanging to dry on my old ladder this summer!
And of course, I’ll also need to dry the lavender. Can you imagine being able to scoop up your own harvested lavender (and having a beautiful wooden scoop like this one to do it with)?
I can’t wait to try this soap recipe.
I’d also love to make a rosemary/lavender wreath, like this one. I already have the rosemary growing in a pot in my kitchen window.
I have visions of making my own candles like these.
Okay, I’d need a garden (and a lot of galvanized containers!) to end up with all this goodness, but it doesn’t hurt to dream a little, right?
Here’s a list of 90+ organic farms in the US, in case you want to see if there’s one near you.
Wish me luck, because I’m SO hoping to have some gardening success with these little packets full of hope!
For more inspiration, visit my Lavender Pinterest board HERE.
I never thought of growing lavender from seed. I;m off to check this out!
Good luck if you try it too – I’d love to hear if you’re successful, Diana!
Ive never thought of growing my own !! Love lavender !!!
Will check this out !!
Another thing in common! I love lavendar, too, but have not had much luck getting it started. Our clay soil is tough! I put in several bare root plants last year and have my fingers crossed that I see life in the spring. I would LOVE to have dried bundles everywhere!! Thanks for sharing, Angie!
I’m hoping for the same, Julie! I only planted 3 plants, and SO hope they survive the winter and bloom this year!
I love lavender and grow it myself….you need well drained soil for it to grow properly, but it is so pretty! You have some beautiful posts and inspiring!
I have lavender and I love it! Good luck and don’t over water!
That’s what I’m hearing from everyone, Ellie. The good news is, I’m far more likely to forget to water them, which sounds like a good thing in the case of lavender!
I am in love with all of that lavender and galvanized goodness. I grew it years ago but it eventually ended up in a place where there was not enough sun. I just may have to try it again after reading this post.
Good luck if you try it again, Fran! You’ll have to let me know how it goes, okay?!
I would love doing this…is lavender hardy? Good luck with the growing!
I don’t really know how hardy it is, Linda – I guess I’ll find out this spring, to see how the plants did through the winter, and if my new seedlings grow!
Wishing you the best of luck, but you are successful in all you do 🙂 What an ambitious list!
LOL – I’m NOT usually a successful gardener, Debbie, so this is a very iffy undertaking!
several years ago I planted several lavender plants in containers on my patio. I loved them and the smell, but that started an infestation of bees. everywhere. bird houses, trees, pool equipment, everywhere. I couldn’t even go outside without fear of being swarmed. If you plant it be ready. If you could put them away from everything else you might not have a problem, but I’ll never plant it again. just be careful, beautiful images!
Thanks for the warning, Debra! The plants I planted last year are at the edge of our front yard, so not too close to the house, and I hope to expand that space more (hopefully with my seedlings!)
Wishing you the best of luck growing you lavender seeds! I always figured there was no way I’d be successful at growing lavender (tried many times throughout the years) let alone seeds. I’ve moved many times to many areas and always tried, but didn’t succeed.
Cut to 20 yrs. ago when I bought my home, I was determined to have a scented garden and you CAN’T have a scented garden without lavender! I researched and researched. You need to have the lavender that is specific to your climate….here I was relying on the Nurseries to have what would do well in my area. How can you resist those beautiful plants they have for sale?!
Here we have clay soil. So first thing I did was to amend the heck out of it, being a new home there wasn’t a worm in sight 🙁 Within a few months I had tons of worms, gold to a gardener, meaning the soil was finally alive. I found the gorgeous long stemmed English Lavender I had always tried, wasn’t going to be happy here. I ended up with Munstead Lavender. Ordered my plants and began to plant my vision of a row of lavender along the front garden. I dug deep holes and filled the extra depth with sand and small rocks, so they would have extra drainage when it rained. Lavender likes it on the dry side, think Tuscany 🙂 20 yrs. later I still have my row of lavender! It has changed some over the years but it’s still there. After several years the plants get very woody, old and don’t produce many flowers. They need to be removed, yes heartbreaking, but to my surprise they have reseeded themselves! I don’t always get out to prune and deadhead when needed so it’s good to let some go to seed and let the seed fall where it may.
After pruning I pick up the pieces and throw them on the ground as a scented mulch. Then sweep all the tiny seeds left on the sidewalk into what ever part of the garden they’re nearest. Yep, tiny lavender plants all over! Unbelievable! Without even trying! Yes, I’m disappointed I don’t have those long lovely stems but smile as I and anyone who visits, brush by them on the way into the house get a whiff of that decadent fragrance.
So I guess in a nutshell don’t pamper too much. My life has changed and become very hectic since I first planted them so they get ignored a lot – maybe that’s my key? But whatever you do DON’T give up!
*hugs*deb
Thanks so much for your tips and experience, Deb! I’m great at ignoring plants, so it’s good to hear I shouldn’t fuss over them too much! 🙂
I loved hearing from you!
Blessings,
~Angie
I love lavender too! I’ve tried growning it several times, in pots, and in the ground with no luck it always dies on me. After reading comments I bet I over watered it. I have grown Rosemary and love it. I had a big Rosemary bush but had to leave it behind when we moved )-; But this spring I’ll get me a couple more and a lavender plant, and give it another try. I’ll try to hold back on the water (-;
I’ve been thinking I’d like to grow lavender for some time now. So I am so happy to see the info on your blog. I shall be very interested in up-dates on your lavender-growing venture. I would like to have enough to sell at a farm market my daughter works at, but the other products shown interest me, too. Can’t wait to check out the suggested sites. Thanks.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING THE GREAT LIST OF LAVENDER FARMS IN THE USA!! BETTER YET, IN OUR STATE OF NJ!! I WAS SO THRILLED TO FIND ONE IN A TOWN THAT IS NEAR ENOUGH TO GO TO, SO I AM HOPING TO CUT MY OWN LAVENDER THIS YEAR! I ONLY RECENTLY STARTED DRINKING LAVENDER TEA AND LOVE IT…NEVER EVEN HEARD OF IT, UNTIL A MONTH AGO, AND SO GLAD I STUMBLED UPON IT. (I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A WONDERFUL-SMELLING FLOWER OF WHICH I ALSO LOVED THE COLOR.) I HAVE BEEN ALSO TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GROWING IT ON OUR HORSE FARM. KEEP UP THE VERY INTERESTING WORK YOU PRESENT HERE.
Mare, how wonderful that you have a lavender farm you can drive to! Have fun!
I wish we could grow lavender here. It doesn’t like our clime. When I lived in an ideal locale I was totally unable to grow anything. I had the brownest thumb you could imagine and I adore lavender!
Do you sell seeds I would like to start a lavender garden this summer. I live in Ontario zone 5 …any tips?
I hope it works out for you. I”m trying to get some to grow for me on a sunny window sill right now. I’m going to keep checking your blog for advice lol Have a great spring!