Lavender plants thrive even in nutrient-poor soils, but a little fertiliser can significantly promote their growth and encourage more flowering.
Lavender will ‘flower more’ and grow healthier when you give them 3 natural scrap items(Image: Getty)
Lavender plants, frequently linked with peaceful summer days thanks to their medium purple or soft pinkish-purple hue, provide a feeling of calm. Their characteristically aromatic scent can deliver a calming influence, making them an ideal choice for anyone wanting restful afternoons in their outdoor space.
While lavender plants are recognised for their hardiness, flourishing even in poor-quality soils, a touch of fertiliser can significantly boost their development.
However, keen gardeners need to recognise that excessive fertilising of lavender can result in too much foliage rather than flowers, or could even kill the plant.
That being said, nourishing lavender isn’t forbidden – it’s simply about striking the proper balance. Horticultural specialists recommend the best moment to fertilise lavender is once during spring, signalling the start of its growth period.
So, regarding nourishing your lavender plants, what choices exist? Well, Stephanie, from the home and DIY blog Celebrated Herb, strongly advocates utilising kitchen waste, reports the Express.
Lavender is a must-have in gardens(Image: Getty)
She explained: “Lavender plants do not require a lot of nutrients, but you can still use some kitchen scraps to provide them with additional nourishment.”
1. Coffee grounds
Used coffee grounds are an “excellent” nitrogen source, vital for plant development, according to Stephanie.
Coffee grounds don’t just benefit lavenders – they also help hydrangeas and roses produce more striking and larger blooms. A simple scattering of coffee grounds around your lavender plants’ base, worked gently into the earth, can prove effective.
Used coffee grounds are an “excellent” source of nitrogen, essential for plant growth(Image: Getty)
2. Banana peels
Banana skins, packed with potassium, can prompt your plants to “flower more” and fortify their root systems. To use them, merely chop up the skins and bury them in the earth surrounding your lavender plants.
They’re equally useful for stimulating your orchids to blossom and your roses to flourish.
3. Vegetable scraps
Vegetable leftovers such as carrot tops and lettuce leaves can be converted into “homemade compost that can provide your lavender plants with additional nutrients”.
Simply alternate these scraps with dried leaves and grass cuttings in a compost container and allow them to break down into nutrient-dense compost.
Nevertheless, Stephanie stressed that kitchen scraps “should not be the sole source of nutrients” for your lavender plants, and they must be used moderately to prevent over-feeding.
Comments are closed.