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Lavender is a fragrant and eye-catching addition to any garden. Its rustic look is sure to add character and charm to any outdoor space, whether it’s a large or small plot of land.
Not only that, but its many characteristics also make it an excellent choice for a number of uses in aromatherapy and medicine.
Read on – In this guide we’ll explore the basics of planting, caring for, and harvesting your own lavender.
(Or, if you prefer, you can head over to our guide about cultivating cilantro, instead.)
Why You Should Cultivate Cilantro in Your Garden
Cilantro, also known as Chinese parsley, is a popular herb that can easily be grown in any home garden. It has a unique flavor and aroma, making it perfect for adding a zesty taste to various dishes.
Aside from its many uses in the kitchen, there are several other reasons why you should consider cultivating cilantro in your garden. Here are some of the benefits of this versatile herb.
Adds Flavor to Any Dish
One of the main reasons why people decide to grow cilantro is because of its flavor. This herb has an unmistakable tangy and slightly citrusy taste which adds a unique kick to salads, soups, sauces, and even desserts!
Plus, since it’s easy to grow and requires minimal effort for harvesting, you can always have a supply on hand in your outdoor space.
Natural Insect Repellent
Another great benefit of cultivating cilantro is that it serves as a natural insect repellent. The strong smell is often enough to deter pests like mosquitoes and flies from invading your garden or patio area.
As an added bonus, this plant doesn’t require any special ingredients or chemicals—just plant it in your outdoor space for an effective deterrent against pesky insects!
Aromatic Fragrance
The unmistakable scent of cilantro is both refreshing and calming at the same time. Its leaves release their distinctive fragrance when disturbed, making them an ideal choice for containers and borders around patios or walkways where their pleasant aroma can be enjoyed daily.
In addition to its delightful scent being enjoyed by humans, cilantro can also act as a steady source of food for beneficial pollinating insects like bees!
Easy To Grow
The best part about growing cilantro? It’s incredibly easy! All you need is some soil with good drainage capabilities, plenty of sun (a minimum of 6 hours per day), water regularly (but not too much), and that’s all—nothing else required!
It will start producing its aromatic leaves quickly; before long you can enjoy fresh cilantro throughout the summer months without much effort at all!
With so many benefits to growing this flavorful herb, there’s no better time than now to cultivate some cilantro in your garden!
Steps to Successfully Cultivating Lavender
Planting Lavender
Lavender prefers well-drained soil with lots of sun exposure so make sure to pick a spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight (or 12 hours of indirect light) each day.
When planting from seedlings, be sure to space them at least 8 to 10 inches apart; larger varieties need even more room between plants!
Also if you plan on growing multiple types of lavender together, keep them separate as cross-pollination may lead to unexpected changes in their colors & perfume notes.
Caring for Growing Lavender Plants
Make sure to water your plant regularly throughout its growing season; about once every 7 days should suffice unless extreme heat occurs then increase frequency accordingly.
Lavender does not require much maintenance beyond routine watering but you can fertilize 1 or 2 times per year with a balanced fertilizer.
Additionally, keep an eye out for weeds that may invade your plant’s space; they can compete for resources & cause harm to the health of your plant.
Harvesting and Storing Lavender
1. When harvesting lavender flowers wait until their color is mostly deep purple before cutting off sprigs at the stem base with pruning shears or by hand rather than pulling off leaves as this could damage the plant itself.
2. Lavender also makes excellent dry flowers so if you want them preserved simply spread out fresh flower heads on newspaper in a single layer
3. Let them sit in direct sunlight until completely dry – this normally takes 3 days depending on weather conditions.
4. Store dried flowers in paper bags away from moisture and light sources otherwise mold may form quickly compromising both flavor and scent!
A Final Word About Cultivating Lavender Plants
Cultivating lavender isn’t difficult but it does take some patience and dedication! With the right knowledge of planting, growing & harvesting you can easily have plenty of supplies right at home.
Just remember that when cultivating different types of lavender it’s important to keep them separate otherwise cross-pollination may occur resulting in unexpected changes for both color and perfume notes!
Feel free to share your advice below after trying out this guide – we would love to hear how it went.
Thanks for reading!
Suggested Reading: Cultivating Cilantro: Guide to Planting, Caring, and Harvesting
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