Rain and Lavender Plants a Not So Nice Mix
Rain Rain Here to Stay Don't Want Your Lavender to Go Away?
Ok, you are a home gardener and mother nature has started pouring down rain. It's not just one day of rain but the forecast is calling for 2-3 days worth. You know the rain is not a friend of Lavender plants. What can you do to protect them or help them survive the deluge?
For those who have planted Lavender plants in containers it's simple. Move the pots under cover of a porch or into a garage until the rain stops. But what about those precious in ground plantings?
Well, I know what works for me and my Lavender when the rain moves into my area and tries to stay. I'll tell you my secret which oftentimes saves my plants. First off if you have planted your Lavender in the right soil (fast draining grit) the roots should be ok. My trick will work for those that have a few plants. Definitely will not work for those commercial Lavender farms with 100's of Lavender plants.
My trick is.......tote boxes and large buckets. What??? Ok, I have you confused. I cover my plants with large tote boxes which is unsightly I know, but it keeps the rain off the plants, keeps the foliage dry and protects the surrounding soil from becoming overly soggy with rain water.
I use buckets to protect my new small Lavender plants. If it is very windy you can place a rock on top of the bucket to hold it in place. You know the old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Well keeping your plants from becoming overly damp in the first place can help to prevent fungus from taking hold.
I only leave the covers in place for a short time. When the rain lets up off they go. You want them to be large enough to cover your plants with room to spare. You do not want to smother the plant foliage. The reason I do not use plastic bags or sheeting is that it compresses and does not leave air space. Plastic can be blown away by wind.
The tote boxes cover and protect the Lavender plants from hard downpours. They leave a pocket of air around the plant which discourages fungus. They are also large enough to protect an area of soil around the base of the Lavender plant. I am partial to the transparent tote boxes but any will do.
I also might prop one side of the cover open with a brick or stone to allow air to get under the cover. I don't want to trap in moisture especially if the plant foliage is already damp due to rain. Well, now you have it. My trick to keeping Lavender plants alive during wet conditions and dealing with the number one Lavender plant problem of moisture caused by rain.
