Planting lavender in the ground with seedlingspossessing and surprising decorative effect, and extraordinary aroma, and other useful properties. If the dacha wants his site to be decorated with lavender, planting and care in the open field is the key moment on the road to success. Perennial oil-bearing crop up to 60 cm high with spike-shaped blue or purple inflorescences has become a symbol of Provence. Lavender is grown in the Mediterranean, and in Russia it is planted in the Crimea and on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.
Can a heat-loving plant take root in the middle lane? How to tame a culture gardener in Siberia or the Urals?
Among the plants related to lavender, there are quite a few of those that as a result of cultivation in household plots were completely assimilated, becoming part of the native flora. And some of them are well-known wild plants. It is motherwort and oregano, thyme and mint, catnip and lofant.
Climate conditions of our country are not always comfortable for the southern thermophilic beauty. Yet planting lavender in the ground is possible. The main thing is to choose the right place, time and follow the rules of care.
. Terms of planting lavender in the ground.
Of all the varieties of lavender, Lavandula angustifolia or narrow-leaved lavender is recognized as the most frost-resistant and undemanding.
Under cover, it can survive frosts down to –35 ° C, which is quite comparable with winter temperatures not only in the central part of the country, but even in the Urals or in Siberia.
Lavender is propagated by seeds and vegetatively with the help of parts of an adult bush, rooted cuttings or cuttings.
In the first case, as with many other ornamental perennials:
- at home for seedlings medium-sized seeds are sown in early spring;
- at the onset of stable heat can be sown seeds on the beds;
- planting lavender in the ground in the fall is carried out to obtain plants as early as next year.
Read also: Planting in the open field of solar daffodils
Vegetative reproduction helps to bring flowering closer. In this case, seedlings with their own root system fall into the soil in the second half of summer or autumn. Specific dates are directly dependent on climatic and weather conditions.
In the middle lane, planting lavender in open ground and caring for it are subject to the rules common to all regions. Seeds should fall into the heated soil when sprouts will not be threatened by spring frosts. And before that, in order to accelerate germination, they are stratified in a refrigerator.
In the central part of Russia, such conditions for planting develop by the second half of May. In the regions north and east the ground warms up even later. Unfortunately, our summer is short for lavender. Seedlings very often die without surviving the winter. Therefore, planting lavender in open ground in the Urals, for example, is preferable to seedlings obtained as a result of winter or early spring sowing, or seedlings obtained from an adult bush.
Planting lavender in soil with seedlings
At the end of February or in March, when the period of stratification is completed, seeds are sown on the surface of a mixture of fertile garden soil and sand. Pre-substrate is useful to sterilize and sort out from large inclusions.
The crops are powdered with a thin layer of sand and placed in the home greenhouse. Germination occurs in the light at a temperature of 17–22 ° C.To maintain humidity, the soil is periodically sprayed with warm water, and the container is ventilated to prevent mold. The first shoots should be a signal that the plants need additional lighting. When the seedlings grow stronger, they dive, planting at a distance of 5 centimeters.
Before planting lavender in the ground, it is convenient to use peat pots. In them, the seedlings develop well, their roots are protected from rotting and do not suffer during transfer to the garden.
At the end of May, it is time to land in the ground and care for lavender in the Moscow region. For plants, dry, ventilated and well-lit areas are chosen, the soil on which has a pH not higher than 6.5–7.5.The plot is dug up on a bayonet, in passing bringing peat, loosening the ground, humus and, if not bypassed, dolomite flour.
Read also: Methods of propagation of indoor flower of an abutilon
Seedlings are carefully transplanted, leaving at least 70–90 cm of free space between the plants;During planting, the tillering point is slightly buried, then the soil is compacted and carefully shed.
Autumn crops of lavender are practiced only in the southern regions, where the seeds do not freeze, and the immature sprouts can, without fear of the spring cold, immediately rise. After embedding the seeds in the ground, the beds are watered, and with the first frosts they cover abundantly with snow.
Planting lavender in the ground by cuttings, parts of the bush and layings
If there is an adult plant on the plot, you can:
- divide it by getting seedlings with growing points and root system;
- to obtain cuttings, which, after rooting, are easy to plant in the ground;
- to create conditions for the formation of stem cuttings.
Intended for dividing lavender bush before hibernation carefully spud, and the shoots are cut at a height of 10 centimeters. In the spring hilling repeat, stimulating the formation of young shoots. The bush prepared in this way is dug out in the fall and divided into independent parts. Lavender is then planted in the ground, in the fall the plant manages to acclimatize and prepare for winter.
Lavender shoots are used for grafting in the spring and summer.8–10 cm stems are planted in wet sand, deepening by 2–3 cm. In the greenhouse over the summer, the cuttings form roots. With further home care for lavender, planting it in open ground is carried out in May or early June.
In order to obtain cuttings, the selected strong shoots in the spring incline to the ground and drop by drop, securing with a metal pin at a depth of several centimeters.
During the summer, layings are taken care of, weeding near the soil and watering the places where the roots are formed. In the fall, such seedlings are separated from the mother bush and planted in a permanent place in the garden.
Read also: Secrets and intricacies of growing plectrantus at homeBut on young plants in the first year of life, all the buds are cut, not waiting for flowering. This will strengthen the planting of lavender in the open field, and care for them will make it easier and more effective. Throughout the life of the bushes they need to weed and water. Lavender belongs to the endurance crops, but it needs moisture for lush flowering. In hot weather, watering should be abundant and frequent.
Adult bushes form a dense dense cushion on the soil surface, so it is difficult to loosen the soil under them, but it is very important to keep the area clean. A layer of peat mulch will help preserve moisture and airiness of the soil.
Spring and autumn hilling helps maintain the density of the crown. It stimulates the formation of young shoots, gradually replacing the aging branches. The same purpose serves pruning plants. It is carried out after flowering and during it. For bushes at the age of 7 to 10 years old, rejuvenating pruning is recommended, during which all shoots are shortened to 5 cm in length. 
For lavender fertilizer use mixtures with a predominance of potassium, stimulating the formation of buds. Nitrogen is applied in the spring in moderation.
Southern cultures, including lavender in Russian conditions, are at risk of freezing. To prevent this from happening, the bushes in front of the frost are covered with spruce leaves, nonwoven fabric or other breathable types of “breathing” types of protection, and then they are covered in heavy snow.
Amazing Lavender Video
