This fragrant, easy-growing herb is famous for scenting soaps. When used with a light touch, it adds a sweet, almost rosemary flavour to summer recipes as well.
HARVEST LAVENDER FLOWERS BEFORE THEY ARE FULLY OPEN. HANG STEMS UPSIDE DOWN IN A DARK AREA. REMOVE BUDS WHEN DRY.
Easy to grow and easy to love, lavender has the ability to quickly become the bright spot of any garden, with its peppy purple fl owers and wonderful aroma. All that you need to grow and maintain this herb, which comes in more than 450 varieties, is a suitable place in your green patch and, of course, a little know-how.
A SUNNY SPOT
Lavender is a Mediterranean herb, so it thrives in hot and sunny locations. Choose a spot where the plant will receive complete sun for at least eight hours a day. While you should avoid growing lavender under trees, you can grow it next to a wall, as the latter will provide extra heat and shelter.
SOIL THAT DRAINS WELL
Lavender grows best in neutral to alkaline soil that is free-draining. The plant doesn’t take very well to lingering wetness at its roots. In fact, dampness is lavender’s biggest enemy—so keep the soil light, fl uff y and well-aerated. To improve the soil’s drainage, try mixing in a little builder’s sand before planting. You can also plant your lavender on a raised bed to maximise drainage.
THE WATER DIET
Lavender does not like to over feed, because as we mentioned, dampness kills the plant—so don’t over water. And if you’re growing the plant in a pot, make sure that the pot has adequate drainage, to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
This story is from the July 2016 edition of Better Homes & Gardens India.
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This story is from the July 2016 edition of Better Homes & Gardens India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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