Lavender Pruning and Harvesting Guide for Gardening Enthusiasts

If you have already achieved success in growing lavenders then you can continue retaining their health and bloom by timely lavender pruning. Moreover, you can enjoy the fruit of your yield if you know when and how to harvest lavender.

Benefits of lavender pruningr
Lavender pruning is important if you wish to retain the health and growth of your lavender. Once the branches get slashed during pruning the internal energy produced within the plant gets solely transferred to the stronger branches. Thus, they are able to absorb nutrients better and produce better blooms and foliage as a consequence. Regular lavender pruning is also vital to prevent unruly growth of the stems. Moreover, when you prune your plant you ensure that each of its parts gets sufficient sunlight. This is because the new stems do not remain clustered over the older ones.

When to prune lavenderr
It is always better to start lavender pruning when the plant is tender as they respond better by means of faster growth. Pruning tender plant is recommended even if you wish to prevent your lavender from becoming woody. Regular lavender pruning is best right after it has blossomed. It is best to continue lavender pruning at regular intervals all through the summer until it is mid spring. This way you will also protect your plant from accumulation of frost on its boughs. Air circulation throughout the pruned plant will be the greatest obstacle for front deposition. But stay away from hard pruning unless it is spring or else your lavender will flower late.

Method of pruningr
The technique of lavender pruning is based on the type of the plant you have. For instance, Stoechas, Angustifolia and Intermedia are varieties that demand pruning of 1/3rd to ½" only. Likewise, Dentate Dentate and Dentate Candicans require pruning only when the plants get too clumsy. Generally, lavender pruning should be done only when the plant becomes matured and its stems start getting woody. But always remember to slash back from the part where new growth is visible. Cutting the stems from the woody section can even kill your lavender.

Tools needed for pruning lavenderr
You can use sharp gardening scissors to trim the thin branches of lavender. But if your plant has become quite big and you need to reshape it then you can also go for electric or battery operated hedge trimming device too.

Cutting lavender for harvestingr
Before harvesting you need to decide first what will be its end use. In case if you want fresh lavender bouquet then harvest your plant when half of the buds of each branch have blossomed and the remaining half is yet to bloom. But for dry floral arrangement insist upon slashing the branches when one third of the buds have bloomed.

Taking care of lavender after harvestingr
If you love your lavender then taking care of its health after harvesting is also important. So, choose a dry sunny day for harvesting lavender. Never choose a wet and dewy climate for your work as it can make the flowers turn brown and fall off the stems. But extremely hot and sunny day is not ideal either. Your flowers will yield less of essential oil as strong sunrays dry up the oil for that day.

Harvesting lavender is extremely easy. It does not require any skill at all. Rather, you can follow DIY tricks and master the job. Once you properly learn how to harvest lavender you can use the dried flowers for various purposes. You can use them for pot pourri arrangements, herbal tea infusion or as condiments in culinary items too.