If I want to plant lavender in the fall, when to start seeds?

17 years ago

We are in the midst of clearing our the last bit of detritus from our yard, which was overrun with blackberries until only recently. I suppose you could say we are "restoring" it but there isn't much left to restore! This spring we are digging paths, mulching, adding compost, and doing some minor planting.

However, in the fall we'd like to plant several perennials, esp. lavender. It does very well here (we have mild wet winters and dry, hot summers). Our hope is to plant lavender along our paths on the south side of the yard.

I am familiar with seed-starting, and bought two varieties that are meant to do well in our area (Willamette Valley): munstead and English tall. We'd probably plant more of the munstead along the pathways, as it's more compact.

My question is - should I start seeds now, and grow them as big as I can in 1 to 3 gallon pots, and plant them in fall? Or start the seeds later this year, to plant in fall? (From what I understand fall is the best time to plant here, to establish good root growth, and it's just the best time for us personally).

Thank you!

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Comments (3)

Heathen1
17 years ago
I'd plant late fall, but with the difficulty of lavender seed germination, I'd over plant. I am all for using starts and not seeds nowadays. Specially with the snails mowing down seedlings like they do.
granite
17 years ago
You have to maintain soil temps at 70 degrees to get lavender or rosemary seeds to sprout and grow, very difficult. Of course, my gravel walkway seems to handle this job just fine on its own. When I try to formally raise the lavender its a no-go. See what you can do to start your seeds with some warmth, you already have the seeds so there's no reason not to give it a try. I'd plant them now to have the plants ready for the fall.....if you are the kind of person to maintain lots of pots, etc. I've learned the hard way that I am NOT that kind of person and should do my planting and growing in the ground outside. If you are not successful with the seeds, try getting a plant or two and take cuttings to expand your crop. If you know someone in your area with a lavender they may be willing to give you cuttings from their spring trim back. You're welcome to come here for some, but it seems that's a wee bit of a drive just for some clippings. :-)
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Yippee: These specific questions are hard to answer. I know some folks do try to follow that kind of directions specifically. You could try to direct sow now if that is your preference. But remember that some seeds will wash away, some will be eaten by birds or other critters, etc. I just wintersow and try to keep it simple. I rarely read directions and most things germinate. Some don't, but most, by far, do. The beauty of wintersowing is it's simplicity. Mother Nature gives us temperature swings naturally, and waters the seeds for us with rain and snow. If I were trying to grow those things, this is what I'd do. Notice the first 2 need cold temps, followed by warm. Wintersowing will give you the cold temps, followed by warm when the spring weather arrives. For the Asclepias fascicularis, physocarpa, and syriaca I'd plant closer to spring, around March. If it germinates, I'd plant out and wait for bloom the next year. I'm not guaranteeing that this would work for you the way I mention, that's simply what I'd do. But that's just me, I try for easy. OK, maybe lazy. And I don't stress about it anymore. If someting doesn't germinate, I try again next year and have fun in the process. Can you tell, this will be my 4th year wintersowing. At first I worried and stressed over things, it's true. I think I've overcome that now. I know that most plants will drop seeds and they grow, as they have for thousands of years without our help. Karen
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Yippee, Milkweed (Asclepias) is generally very easy to start from seed. My Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) self-sows abundantly in the garden, and I had great success with winter-sowing 6 different species of Asclepias this past winter. (I have a particular interest in Milkweed, plan to grow more species this coming winter, and also raised Monarch butterflies for the first time this summer, which is really amazing.) Winter-sowing is a method of sowing seeds in plastic containers filled with soil, which are then placed outside during the winter (or Spring). People usually use recycled containers, it requires no electricity, is a low-cost way to have lots of plants, and seeds that require cold treatment or stratification will get it! There is much info at the Winter Sowing forum and FAQ. The seeds will sprout when they are ready and then you can transplant your seedlings when they're small. It's easier than trying to monitor sprouts in the ground, although that would work too.
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oldherb
17 years ago
Getting lavender to germinate well is just knowing some of the tricks. Before sowing the seeds run them lightly over a nail file or fine sandpaper first to cut through the hard shiny seed coat so water can get in faster and germination can begin. Don't bury them too deep and of course don't let them dry out.

Seeds can also be direct sown in the late summer/early fall it will germinate on it's own next spring. Be sure the soil is well drained...the seedlings will rot otherwise.

Once your seedlings are up good don't forget to pinch the tops to get them to branch out nicely.

Hope this helps and here's to your success...
Patty

If I want to plant lavender in the fall, when to start seeds?

Comments (3)

Heathen1

granite

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oldherb

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