When to plant Lavender in Oxford

Plant young plants around 1st May - 8th June in a sunny, free-draining spot. Set them at the same depth they were in the pot. Space 45 cm apart. On heavy ground, plant on a 20–30 cm mound with grit. Do not plant in a frost pocket. Water in.

• Skip planting if the soil is sodden.
• Autumn pots only if the ground is sharp-draining, and never into sodden soil.
• Cuttings are a separate route. Plant those out next spring.
• Seed is a separate route.
• A gravel or grit collar around the crown helps winter wet.
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Through the first summer, from 1st May to 6th September, water at the base in dry spells only. Then stop. Do not water in winter.

• In a pot, stand it in a rain-shadow in winter. Pots stay wet in winter rain and that is how they rot.

Remove faded flower spikes from 8th June - 23rd July. Cut back to a side shoot or just above fresh growth. Do not cut into old wood. Leave a few spikes at the end of the window for seed-eating birds.

• Cut for drying as the spikes open.

After flowering, from 23rd July - 22nd August, take off the spent stalks plus about 2.5 cm of green. Never cut into old wood.

• If frost has damaged the tips, clip those in spring. That is not a winter cut.