Lavender Maintenance at Terre Ugo
In the heart of our estate, dedicated to the production of organic lavandin, February marks the beginning of preparations for the 2024 season. Maintaining our lavender fields is not just a necessary step in the life cycle of our iconic plant—it also reflects our commitment to sustainability and ecological balance.
This article explores the methods and benefits of lavender maintenance, with a special focus on our recent experience in our fields.
The Life Cycle of Lavandin
Within the world of lavender, which includes nearly 40 distinct species, lavandin stands out significantly. This naturally occurring hybrid, valued for its hardiness and intense fragrance, plays a crucial role in our agricultural ecosystem. Understanding its life cycle in depth is essential to optimizing production while preserving soil health and surrounding biodiversity.
5 Facts About Lavandin
Its average lifespan is 9 years.
Lavandin is a hybrid of two lavender species, and it propagates through cuttings made by bees. This means that every plant is genetically identical.
While lavender is typically blue or purple, some varieties also produce pink and white flowers.
One hectare of lavandin yields approximately 100 kg of essential oil. At Terre Ugo, our fields span 4 hectares.
Lavandin has antispasmodic and antibacterial properties. It is commonly used to soothe joint pain, treat skin infections, and even alleviate anxiety and stress.
Lavandin reaches its full maturity after a few years, signaling the ideal time for maintenance. This essential step helps preserve soil vitality and prepares the land for new plantations.
At Terre Ugo, our flowers are organically grown. They were planted in 2017 by Lisa, granddaughter of Ugo and owner of the estate. This year, we made the decision to replace older lavandin plants that had lost their strength. Maintaining these rows prevents soil nutrient depletion and ensures a high-quality production.
Practical Guide to Lavender Care
At Home:
If you’re looking to grow lavender at home, selecting the right pot, proper soil mix, and understanding its specific needs is essential for healthy growth and flourishing blooms.
1. Choosing the Right Pot:
Opt for a pot with drainage holes to prevent water buildup.
Since lavender prefers dry conditions, a terracotta pot is ideal as it provides better aeration for the roots.
2. Soil Preparation:
Use a light potting mix.
Add coarse sand to improve drainage.
3. Sowing Seeds:
Spread the lavender seeds evenly across the surface of the soil.
Cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil.
Growing lavender from seeds requires patience and attentive care. Germination can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks or longer. For those wishing to enrich their gardens with the captivating essence of lavender, the true reward comes with proper care and maintenance.
Essential Lavender Care Tips
Light: At least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering:
In summer, water once a week.
In winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks to prevent root rot.
Fertilization:
Lavender requires minimal fertilization.
A light dose will help stimulate growth and flowering.
Sustainable Maintenance for Mature Lavender Plants
Once your lavender plants have grown and been transplanted to a more suitable space, practicing sustainable maintenance will help them thrive. Avoid excessive soil disturbance by selecting the right gardening tools:
Garden Fork: To lift plants without disrupting the soil structure.
Pruning Shears: For precise cutting of roots and stems.
Hand Rake: To aerate the soil and remove small roots without turning the soil.
By following these guidelines, you can cultivate lavender successfully while preserving soil health and contributing to sustainable gardening practices.
At Terre Ugo:
When lavandin roots fail to anchor deeply, it often indicates that they have suffered from drought. To tackle this challenge, we have adopted a flexible approach, alternating between using a tractor to work the rows most affected by disease and manual intervention for the plants with stronger, deeper roots.
Soil Preparation: A Key Step for Future Growth
Preparing the soil is crucial to ensuring a successful future harvest. After removing old plants, it is recommended to let the soil rest for 2 to 3 years, or even cultivate root vegetables to improve its structure.
At Terre Ugo, we have chosen to regenerate our fields by increasing humus content and applying other eco-friendly agricultural practices. This method enriches the soil with nutrients, ensuring that the land is ready to support new lavandin plantations in March. Our approach is a clear reflection of our commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious agriculture.
Impact on Biodiversity
Responsible field maintenance plays a vital role in promoting biodiversity within agricultural ecosystems. Here’s why it matters:
Healthy soil supports a greater variety of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, fostering a more resilient ecosystem.
Manual removal and minimal soil disturbance help preserve underground habitats, protecting the living organisms that contribute to soil health.
Pollinators such as bees, bumblebees, and other beneficial insects thrive in biodiverse fields, ensuring efficient pollination—a crucial factor in lavandin reproduction.
A Glimpse into Our Lavender Field Preparations
This is just a small insight into the care and dedication we put into maintaining our estate. At Terre Ugo, we strive to create an environment where nature and agriculture coexist in harmony.
For us, removing lavandin plants is not just another agricultural task—it is the beginning of your Provençal adventure!