Sparse lavender? The good April gesture for a powerful perfume this summer

A plant that seems strong But who tires quickly

Unlike some received ideas, lavender is not eternal. Even well established, She gets off with age, especially if she is not cut regularly. Its port becomes irregular, the stems lignify, the heart of the tuft is turned, and the flowers are less numerous. These signs generally appear after three to five years if no serious maintenance has been carried out.

To this is added an often neglected factor: Winter climatic conditions. Prolonged humidity or excessive cold on poorly drained soil can cause root losses, resulting in the plant. Hence the importance of combining, in the spring, a diagnostic visual et A gesture of targeted regeneration.

The size of April: The gesture that changes everything

Cutting lavender is not a detail: It is a decisive act which conditions both its appearance, its longevity and the richness of its flowering. And unlike the slight maintenance size practiced after flowering, Spring size is a recovery size.

Here is why April is the right time:
The plant begins to resume its vegetative activity, the frosts are declining, and the new shoots are about to appear. The size will then guide growth and strengthen the plant.

To do well:

• Use a sharp, always clean pruning sheer.
• Shorten the rods from one third to half, leaving a few green leaves: Never cut in bare woodlavender would not leave.
• Restore a rounded, homogeneous shape, so that all parts receive the light.

This simple gesture, often overlooked, ensures a compact, dense and flower port.

A soil suitable for A sustainable plant

Lavender does not need rich soil, but It requires perfectly drained soil. In pots as in the ground, stagnant humidity is his worst enemy. If your foot seems to weaken, it can come from an overly heavy, too compact substrate, or an excess water in winter.

Here are some tips to adapt the floor:

• Add coarse sand or gravel To improve drainage.
• Avoid fresh compost or nitrogen intake, which promote foliage to the detriment of flowers.
• In a pot, choose a soil + sand mixture or use a special Mediterranean plants.

Better a poor but well -drained soil than a rich and humid soilin which lavender is quickly wasting.

Should we fertilize lavender? Yes, But with measurement

Unlike many balcony or massive plants, Lavender does not need frequent fertilizer. Too nourished, it produces more leaves, to the detriment of perfume and flowering. But a weakened foot can benefit from a little help, Provided to do so sparingly.

In April, we can:

• Add a little Soft wood ashrich in potash, to support flowering.
• Incorporate a very low nitrogen organic fertilizeror a mineral amendment with slow liberation.

Fertilization must remain light and targetedunder penalty of obtaining a lavender too hard and not very fragrant.

Disease prevention: act before the first signs

Lavender is generally resistant, but A weakened foot becomes sensitive to certain problemsin particular the root mushrooms in poorly drained soil, or the cicadel, a small insect which distorts the stems and the floral pimples.

To avoid these inconveniences:

• Never water foliage, especially in a pot.
• Ventilate the tufts by cutting them well to avoid stagnant humidity.
• Monitor young leaves: in case of deformation, spray a decoction of thyme or a diluted black soap.

Here is a synthetic table of common problems and associated gestures:

A lavender well cut in April, it’s a summer embalmed

When we give lavender the right care at the right time, she knows how to be grateful. A simple passing of pruning in April allows it to be transformed : it becomes more compact, better balanced, and its flowering will be up to its potential. Powerful perfume, intense color, reinforced resistance … All this is played now.

Acting in April is also ensuring the longevity of your lavender feet. Because well maintained, She can live more than ten years without losing her beauty. And if the tuft is really too relaxed despite everything, it may be an opportunity to leave with a young plant or to try cuttings, which succeeds very well at the heart of spring.

While sunny days come back, lavender deserves your full attention. One gesture, well done, and It will perfume your summer with generosity.