On the threshold of autumn, when the last bumblebees leave the already faded lavender flowers, it is time to prune the plant and prepare it for winter. However, it is worth knowing thatnot every species of lavender can winter in the gardenSee which lavenders can remain outside,how to protect lavender for the winterthat next year has bloomed beautifully again, and what is the difference betweenoverwintering lavender in the gardenfrom overwintering lavender in pots on the balcony or terrace.
How to protect lavender for the winter?
Fig. pixabay.com
Which lavender winters in the garden?
In Poland, narrow-leaved lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), intermediate lavender (L. intermedia), French lavender (L. stoechas) and Spanish lavender (L. dentata) are most often grown in gardens, balconies and terraces.In our climate, narrow-leaved lavender(frost resistance zone 6B) winter best in soil. Intermediate lavender is more sensitive to frost, but it can also winter in the garden, provided that it is properly protected for the winter. However,French and Spanish lavenders must be moved to bright and cool rooms in winteror be treated as annual plants.
Below we discuss step by stephow to prepare for wintering lavender remaining outside for winter .
Fertilizing lavender before winter
Preparing lavender for winteringshould start in August. At this time, we no longer fertilize lavender with nitrogen-rich fertilizers, but we start using potassium fertilizers that accelerate the lignification of the shoots.Mineral autumn fertilizer can be used for ornamental plants. This will improve the frost resistance of lavender. If we prefer fertilizers of natural origin, bas alt flour, which additionally makes plants resistant due to the high content of silica, is perfect for the autumn fertilization of lavender.In autumn, lavender should also be sprinkled with compost , which will not only provide the plant with the necessary nutrients, but also improve the structure of the substrate.
Trimming lavender before winter
Another important element is the propertrimming the lavender before winterThis procedure is performed at the end of summer, by mid-September at the latest, so that the young shoots have time to fully develop and become lignified. The dry flowers are cut off along with a few centimeters of green shoots. The brown parts of the stems that are heavily woody must not be trimmed. If we missfall lavender pruning date , better wait until early spring with it. Under no circumstances should we prune the lavender in October or November!
How to protect lavender in the garden for the winter?
Lavender shrubs should be sheltered after the first frosts- when the minus temperature is maintained for several days. Usually this deadline is late October or early November. Narrow-leaved lavender and intermediate lavender hibernating in the ground must first of all be sheltered from strong and cold winds. It is especially dangerous for these plants in snowless winters.
Lavender can be covered in winter with coniferous branches, straw mulch or a white agrotextileshould be spread over it, which should be stretched on a rack made of stakes. Lavenders are never covered with agrotextile for the whole winter. In periods of thaw with rainy and humid weather, lavender should be uncovered to ensure adequate air circulation and to avoid infestation of the plants. Otherwise, it is easy for plants to rot and fungal diseases to develop.The base of the lavender shoots is additionally covered with a layer of bark, earth or peat
How to protect lavender in a pot for the winter?
It is a bit more difficultsecuring lavender grown on balconies and terraces for the winterIf we have the opportunity, after the first frosts, lower the pot with lavender in the ground in the garden, and then cover it in a similar way as lavender grown in the ground.
If we do not have a garden,lavender in a pot must be secured otherwiseThe most common method is placing the lavender pot on a layer of insulation (e.g. made of polystyrene or thick cardboard) in a quiet and sheltered part of the balcony or terrace. The walls of the pot are tightly covered with a straw mat or a thick fleece, and the whole lavender is covered with agrotextile.Only narrow-leaved lavender can be stored this way
The remaining species of lavender must be stored in cool and light rooms during the winterThe recommended wintering temperature of lavender is 5-10 ° C. Before moving lavender to the wintering site, we gradually reduce watering.During wintering, lavender is watered sporadically, just enough to prevent the substrate from drying out completely. In spring, the plants should be strongly pruned and after May 15, when the danger of spring frosts is over, we take them outside again.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
