A lavender expert has shared the best time to weed lavender in UK gardens, with one key tip for summer lavender care before May is out.Angela Patrone Senior Lifestyle Reporter and Vita Molyneux Travel reporter
15:37, 10 May 2026
Lavender will thrive with the right care(Image: Kinga Krzeminska via Getty Images)
As the UK progresses deeper into May, lavender starts to flourish in gardens. The grey-green foliage becomes lusher and more supple, the stalks begin to stretch upwards, and you’ll frequently notice the first buds emerging.
This represents a stunning stage, arguably amongst the most attractive, yet it’s also a critical period. What you do at this point substantially impacts how your plant will look and flower during the summer months. Trimming isn’t the sole task required now to help lavender prosper; removing weeds is equally vital, according to specialists at Lowes Lavender Farm.
As lavender starts to develop more vigorously in May, giving it adequate room becomes particularly important. Taking a few moments to clear away any weeds or rival plants around the base proves worthwhile.
Nothing overly demanding, simply a swift tidy-up to keep the area uncluttered and presentable. The lavender experts said: “Weeding is important to ensure that weeds don’t steal nutrients and water from your lavender plants.”
Clearing weeds surrounding your lavender plants may seem like a minor task, but it delivers results, reports the Express.
Weeding is important to ensure that weeds don’t steal nutrients and water from your lavender plant(Image: Getty)
Improved air circulation helps maintain lavender’s wellbeing, particularly as temperatures climb, and it minimises the likelihood of problems emerging later in the season.
There’s also the aesthetic advantage – when the base remains unobstructed, lavender truly displays its inherent form, and the entire planting appears more deliberate and polished.
How to clear weeds around your lavender plants The most straightforward approach to tackling weeds is to remove them manually. This technique enables you to extract the complete plant, root system included, which reduces the likelihood of regrowth.
The optimal time for this task is when the ground is damp, perhaps following rain or irrigation, as moisture in the soil facilitates complete removal.
Anyone with lavender in their garden urged to do 1 thing before May ends – not pruning(Image: Getty)
A hand fork or specialised weeding implement can prove useful for loosening the earth and dislodging persistent weeds.
For prevention, consider applying mulch to cover the soil surface. A mulch layer prevents sunlight from reaching weed seeds, inhibiting their germination and development.
Spread mulch around your plants during spring, before weeds become established. Natural materials including bark chips, compost, straw or leaf mould are particularly effective and will decompose over time, enriching the soil quality.
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