How and When to Prune Lavender in Summer: Steps to Follow for Optimal Results
There’s nothing better than the enchanting purple color and smell of lavender in the garden in summer! To grow this plant properly, however, you need to know how to prune it. When and how to prune lavender in Summer? What are the mistakes to avoid?
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How and When to Prune Lavender in Summer: Tips for Optimal Results
Having lavender in the garden is a real treasure. Known as Lavandula angustifolia, this plant is used a lot in essential oils, with its lovely scent helping us to relax and unwind. It is also used a lot in cosmetics as well, because it has properties that soothe the skin and reduce redness. Not to forget the unique lavender tea that simply warm the soul. If we have to point out another advantage of lavender, it is that it is an unpretentious plant that does not require much care when it comes to the soil. However, it has specific needs of when to prune it and exactly how to do it, so as not to damage it. With that being said, today we are going to focus on learning how and when in Summer to prune Lavandula Angustifolia, which is the most common among lavender plants.
Why Should We Prune Lavender?
It is essential to prune Lavender annually. If not, the stems will grow extremely long and they might become woody and brown as well. If you see your lavender plant become brown, woody and leggy, this means that it was not pruned. You can still save it, if you learn how and when to prune. Also, leggy and woody lavender stems can appear if the plant is not exposed to sunlight. Why is it important to avoid woody lavender? Because new and fresh flowers will not grow out of the woody stems!
When to Prune Lavender in Summer?
There are two options to prune Lavender, the best one being late Summer. It is essential to prune it before the first frosts, since it could be damaging to the plant. For optimal results, prune at the end of August, or the beginning of September. Also, keep in mind that depending on from your area, the flowers stop blooming at different time. When they stop blooming, you will know it is time to prune. If you are reading this when the Fall season has passed, don’t worry! You can prune lavender in Spring time as well, but do NOT prune in winter!
How to Prune Lavender in Summer?
Now that you know when to prune lavender in Summer, you have to learn how. Once you are sure that the flowers will not bloom anymore, it is time to prune in late August. What you are going to need is:
- Gardening gloves
- Hand pruners or gardening snips
- Hedge trimmers, if you have larger plants
- Appropriate clothes (something with longer sleeves and long pants to avoid scratches)
Before you start, we have to determine what to opt for when pruning lavender. The main goal is to prepare the plant for the winter season, and to avoid woody stems by removing the dry flowers and stems. Keep in mind that the lavender plant already has a woody base, but you should NEVER cut it there, since you can damage it. Follow these steps closely:
- Grab your tools and start cutting off 1/3 inches of the flowers height, only where the dry stems are.
- Clean all the dry flowers and stems by creating a dome shape of the plant. You don’t need to be precise when pruning the lavender.
- Don’t be afraid of pruning too much. Every dry stem and flower should be removed.
- Don’t cut the woody base!
- Try leaving only healthy stems, so that your lavender plant looks fresh and green. This will help the plant grow fresh.
Should We Use Fertilizer When Pruning Lavender?
As we already mentioned the lavender plants are not pretentious when it comes to soil. However, if you want to use fertilizer it will not do harm, it can actually help nourish the soil and promote fresh growth. It is important to use an organic fertilizer for your lavender plants. There are several brands that offer them, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences.
Read also: Discover what are the hidden benefits of Epsom salt for plants.
What Are The Mistakes to Avoid When Pruning Lavender?
There are specific things to know when it comes to pruning lavender. That’s why it is essential to follow the steps. Pruning the plant will not only help to remove the dried stems and flowers, but it will also help the plant to not overgrow. So what are the mistakes to avoid?
- Dirty gardening tools: People often forget to cleaning their gardening tools, but this is crucial if you want healthy lavender plants. Why? Because you can easily spread plant diseases, which will damage your lavender.
- Wrong pruning methods: Don’t forget that you have to prune your lavender correctly, and follow the steps as we mentioned above. And again, NEVER cut the woody base of the plant!
- Pruning at the wrong time: Remember to prune your lavender plant late Summer or the begging of the Fall season. If you are late and missed this time, you can prune the lavender again during Spring.
- Not enough water and sunlight: Lavender does not need a lot of special care, but as many of the plants, it needs direct sunlight and you have to water it weekly.
By following these easy steps and avoiding the mistakes, your lavender will grow fresh and beautiful. You will be able to enjoy its amazing aroma and serene purple color!
Read also: Find out why should you water tomatoes with salt and water!
