Learn More About Growing Lavender

Growing lavender may lead to you and your children developing an interest in learning about how to grow not just lavender but also other herbs. In Canada and other cold climates, the winter can be a great time to prepare and plan for what, when, and where to grow lavender and other plants in your yard or elsewhere - such as a community garden - in the spring and summer. Be encouraged by this article, Celebrating Spring Fever (Homeschooler Style), to help you get ready for the spring. 

Growing Conditions for Lavenders

What kind of growing conditions do lavender plants like? Usually, lavender likes to be planted in well-drained, drier soil and in a location which receives lots of sun. As lavenders establish their roots, especially the first year they are planted, they might need more watering.

In colder climates and areas where the temperatures fluctuate during the winter, such as in Alberta with chinooks which are warm winds, mulching your lavender bushes can help the bushes survive through the winter as well as prevent damage from frost. Just like some plants, such as lavender, require care to be prepared for the winter and need some watering during the summer, so too can homeschooling be accommodated to nature’s rhythms as explained in this article, Homeschooling and Nature’s Rhythms.

Lavender Varieties

Just as there are many kinds of apples (Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and more), there are also several kinds of lavenders. Lavender is grouped into English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French Lavender (Lavandula dentata), Portuguese Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), and Lavandin Hybrids. Within those groups, some of the varieties include

- Munstead (English Lavender)
- Hidcote (English Lavender)
- Kew Red (Spanish Lavender)

The grouping of flowers on the stem may grow slightly different from variety to variety as well as the shade of purple varies amongst lavender varieties. While lavender is generally thought of as being purple, there are also a few varieties that have white flowers.

Also of note is that some lavender groups may be suited to soils and for different purposes. For example, English lavender varieties may be more fragrant and better suited to cooler climates while French lavender varieties may grow better in milder climates, gritty soil, and rock gardens. Some varieties might be used for essential oil production while others are used in landscaping and for floral displays.

Unit Study

An interest in lavender could become a unit study on herbs and their uses in cooking and medicine, where herbs grow around the world, and things that can be made with herbs like wreaths, sachets, potpourri, and more.

Bees

If you want to have lots of bees visit your garden, lavender is an excellent choice. Bees love lavender, and it is both a gift and rewarding to see the bees enjoy God’s creation of lavender. By seeing bees visit the flowers and herbs in your yard, your children might like to learn more about the life of bees and where bees live, pollination, and which flowers bees like.

Could You See Yourself as a Lavender Farmer?

Here is what it takes.

- An interest in learning about the care - sun, soil, and water requirements - and growing of lavender
- Decide on how much space you need and where you are going to plant lavender
- Determine how much time you have and can give to growing and looking after lavender
- Set a budget to track expenses for items such as seeds, soil, water, and tools
- Prepare a plan for your lavender business
- It can be helpful to have a mentor or someone you can ask questions of to continue learning more about growing lavender

Before or as you are growing lavender, your family should think about whether you would like to make any items to sell using lavender. You could also include lavender as part of gifts you give to family and friends. Watch this video to hear a bit about starting your own lavender farm.