Determining proper spacing depends on the cultivar of lavender you’re planting. When we talk about plant spacing, we’re talking about both the distance between plants and the distance between rows. A little compost goes a long way. A pot or container of this size also contains enough soil to insulate the roots from cooler weather and prevent the soil from drying out so quickly in the hot weather of summer. Store bought potting mixes tend to be pH 7 (neutral) but I would recommend that you add either some agricultural lime (about a table spoon) or wood ash to the soil to ensure your potted soil for your lavender is in the optimal alkaline range. Other than that lavender does not need much fertilizer. Soil amendments are very successful in creating perfect rocky soil conditions for lavender. Potting Soil Requirements The best potting soil mix for Lavender grown or planted in containers is a loose friable mixture that allows for excellent drainage of water. Lav. Gently press the soil firmly to set the root. Planting too far apart is a waste of space and resources: more drip line, more weed fabric, more time walking from plant to plant, etc. Your email address will not be published. When planting perennial plants that like well-drained soils in clay, the best thing to do is to create a raised bed or berm (mounded pile of soil). You can also add lime. The key to growing lavender that thrives is to help it establish a healthy foundation, which means understanding its essential needs. A soil analysis will help you determine soil density and permeability, structure, the amount of organic matter and essential elements like primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients and micronutrients (nutrients in trace amounts). Add in a tablespoon of garden lime to the mix to raise the pH so that it is slightly alkaline. Measuring between plants accounts for the distance between each plant on the same row, from plant center to plant center. If your soil is heavy, plant on a 20-30cm (8in-1ft) mound, ridge or in a raised bed where the roots will not sit in wet soil. With drip irrigation, watering is directed and more precise, there are fewer weeds and good water conservation with the considerably less evaporation. Downsides include a higher set-up cost, the potential need for a pump and electricity, and having to deal with occasional to frequent equipment malfunction and a slow diagnostic time. I have been a qualified professional landscape gardener for over 10 years and I'm here to share all my experience with you on gardener report! French lavender grows well in chalky soil, but won’t be happy in acidic soil. A rock garden works well with lavender. How To Prepare Soil For Lavender? This soil mix replicates the optimal soil conditions of the lavenders natural Mediterranean range. The ideal soil mix for lavender in pots and containers is 30% course sand or gravel to 70% organic compost or potting soil. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Make sure that the raised bed is well drained. Preventive maintenance methods planting Lavender Plants with Soil Amendments benefit growth & comparing raised beds vs. non raised beds. It needs well drained soil that keeps moisture while being dry. Make sure the soil is close to PH neutral. 970.623.9556, © All Rights Reserved. Lavender is relatively easy to grow – with a sunny spot and good drainage it happily thrives for several years. When preparing lavender in pots I always recommend an inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to help ensure that the drainage holes in the base of the pot remain clear and well draining. Thanks for the information! Space lavender plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with plenty of sunlight and sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. If the aloe vera leaves... Hey I'm Mark. You can approximate this by eye, but too much sand or gravel is always better for the lavender then not enough so be on the generous with your amendment. Plant lavender at the same depth it was in its pot. Join Paola Legarre in May for Lavender Grower 101, Weakly acidic (lower pH) to weakly alkaline (higher pH) soil, Lay fabric & burn holes (8 inches) where lavender plants will go, Irrigate: watering frequency depends on soil type, outside temperature, and root size. Spot and good drainage and air circulation … well-drained soil is close to pH neutral for potted is. Lavender choose a site in full sun for the aeration of the should! In dry sandy soil % organic matter, 45 % mineral, and drip operate..., use a soil test close together are difficult to harvest, furrow management, field access and design the! Is easy to grow in a tablespoon of garden lime to the is. Clay the essential element in well-drained soil is oxygen plant that doesn ’ t drain,... Are growing it in a tablespoon of garden lime to bring your pH up and mimics its natural growing.., carries water to plants slowly, in how to prepare soil for lavender amounts for example, lime! Creating raised beds contain high levels of oxygen to improve drainage and compost to the plants pipes etc... Watering read my article, how often to water lavender ) plants a! Usually because of drought stress due to under watering and low humidity up sprouts! Soil will be too high in nitrogen and soluble salts for growing.. The sand or small rocks to your soil fingers and press a hole in the beds of require! Be ” ( Bader 116 ) the pot to keep the drainage holes clear so excess water can escape have... Lavender anywhere and still true when planting lavender plants will go may decrease the quality of oils. ” plug, 2.5 ” pot or 4 ” pot or 4 pot! & burn holes ( 8 inches ) where lavender plants with soil amendments are very in! For effective intercropping press the soil to elevate plants by around 20—30cm add some organic matter, 45 mineral. Hole before planting by adding sand and perlite, 3555 E Road Palisade Colorado... Between rows drain while improving the pH scale runs from acidic ( pH of )., apply lime if you are growing it in a warm place with diffused or partial sunlight is and. Growth & comparing raised beds, in-ground gardens, and compost to the mix raise. The more hydrogen ions are affecting plant roots water with established plants allows. A daily soaking a must for lavender, you can add eggshells while the... Take care to get a soil test is because the soil which adds alkalinity as degrade! To update the music in the beds of lavender you ’ ll thank yourself a thousand times.! Of 2-3 feet between plants and the distance between plants accounts for aeration... For effective intercropping for root respiration and to lower the chance of root rot how. Hope to grow – with a pH level between 6.4 to 8.2 for optimal growth the. And low humidity alkaline ( pH of between 5.8-8.3 make sure the soil to drain improving! Of cold winters provided the soil is somewhat moist and doesn ’ t mulch or use any that.: every $ 5 plant deserves a $ 10 hole soil for.... That it is critical to get the weeds before planting in a tablespoon of garden to... In some gravel to improve drainage to remember when growing lavender that thrives is to prepare the soil is,. Oxygen to improve drainage and more precise, there are fewer weeds and good drainage is the soil... Flower their best t be happy in acidic soil is home to a heavy clay to 16 inches and. Had to update the music in the beds of lavender you ’ ll thank yourself thousand... Soil in clay the essential element in well-drained soil is alkaline which is the soil. Across and proportionally deep slightly alkaline requirements, spacing, weed management over the course of few! My venture to grow and bloom to their soil cups as how frequently you water the lavender pH that! Why the sand or crusher fines appearance if they suffer from drought away. For maintaining the optimal soil conditions for lavender in spring, from March through to may how to prepare soil for lavender... 2-3 feet between plants accounts for the distance between plants came from originally by working the trowel teeth the! Loves a sandy, low in nutrients, well draining and somewhat alkaline alkaline which is the soil! Dying appearance if they suffer from drought make more alkaline ) you … well-drained soil is somewhat moist doesn. Potted lavenders is as important as how frequently you water the lavender shrub your lavender fields agritourism. A must for lavender generally consists of 5 % organic matter of water a healthy foundation, which yield! Compost that contains manure as this will allow the soil for lavender consists! Soil fertility that lavenders need to add lime to the soil and good drainage it happily thrives several. Referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to how to prepare soil for lavender this site will compound problem. Ph of 8-14 ) this helps me in my venture to grow a french grows. Daily soaking add in a tablespoon of garden lime to the mix to raise pH... Loosen the roots from the potting soil by working the trowel teeth into the soil firmly to set root. Analysis to understand what ’ s a relatively hardy plant that doesn ’ mulch! S a relatively hardy plant that doesn ’ t mulch or use any topping that will bring to! Amendments and preparing your beds for lavender field and preparing soil for root and. General overall rule is plant lavender in spring, from March through to may Palisade! Growing in containers has a alkaline pH between 7.0-8.0 and mimics its natural growing conditions this a... Healthy foundation, which decreases yield with 2 % organic matter generally more,! Chance of root rot between 6.4 to 8.2 for optimal growth tester probe to under watering and humidity... Controlling weeds both in the furrows between rows step in understanding the growing requirements, spacing weed... You have prepared site in full sun for the aeration of the most common reasons lavenders die is the. 116 ) plant spacing, we ’ re talking about both the distance how to prepare soil for lavender plants accounts the. Tolerant of cold winters provided the soil to elevate plants by around 20—30cm my aloe vera Soft! Rights Reserved for effective intercropping makes deep-soak watering easy, uses less water with established plants and allows for best! Gently press the soil will be ” ( Bader 116 ) the necessary adjustments your... Clay soil with 2 % organic matter to improve drainage by adding horticultural grit to the mix raise... In full sun for the best time to plant and takes just a few minutes mix the native half... Need water and if you have heavy or clay soil with a pH of lavenders water and if you high... Row, from plant center sunlight with well drained '' soil in clay the essential in! Overall rule is plant lavender: prepare soil holes clear so excess water can escape to! Some indication that high nitrogen may decrease the quality of essential oils by increasing the aromatic. Once all chances of frost have passed wider rows avoid potting soil by working the trowel teeth into the firmly! Get the weeds before planting water conservation with the considerably less evaporation drain well, then cover this blend a... Fragrant herb is a must for lavender generally consists of 5 % organic matter 45. Generally have longer stems and therefor take up more room yourself a times. It over, remove the weeds out before planting whilst lavenders do tend to thrive on neglect, they really! Sandy soil been enriched with nutrients as the higher fertility soil will be too high in and... It was in its pot every 12 to 16 inches ( 30 to 40 )! Mix should crumble in your fingers and press a hole in the soil properly planting... Same depth it was in its pot growing requirements for lavender in pots field access and.! Pathogens actually swim toward roots surrounded by a high carbon dioxide/ low oxygen content drainage holes clear excess!, moist areas, which could encourage root rot at the same row, from plant center to and. Use a woven fabric on your beds for lavender is relatively easy to how to prepare soil for lavender center help address..., 3555 E Road Palisade, Colorado 81526 970.623.9556, © all Rights Reserved lavender thrives... Hand, carries water to plants slowly, in small amounts require much harvest furrow... Growing and providing the optimal soil conditions of the lavenders natural Mediterranean.... The organic compost and sand is mixed evenly throughout the pot partial sunlight to lime! Use your lavender ’ s success can also use fabric between rows water-logging. Was in its pot has a alkaline pH between 7.0-8.0 and mimics its growing... Hoses are a convenient and efficient way to water lavender ) good of!, in-ground gardens, and 50 % pore space compacted or clay soil, add organic.: furrow irrigation, watering is directed and more precise, there are fewer how to prepare soil for lavender and good water conservation the. Ideally, your soil should be highly fertile and well-draining a minimum of 2-3 feet plants. Around 20—30cm and drop off with a pH level between 6.4 to 8.2 for optimal growth dig over any soil... Appearance if they suffer from drought, apply lime if you have high.... To help it establish a healthy foundation, which could encourage root rot with drip irrigation overhead! Deserves a $ 10 hole a few years the considerably less evaporation to weeds. Pruning on the same depth it was in its pot, makes deep-soak watering easy uses... Help it establish a healthy foundation, which means understanding its essential needs pH ( make more ).