We are officially farmers.
Our tractor was scheduled to arrive in April, just in time for the first mow and to plant lavender in mid-May. After a three month delay, our tractor was finally delivered. Thankfully, since some of our fields are almost 8 foot tall, and our 100+ lavender test plants arrived several weeks ago.
Our lavender was delivered June 9th, also a few weeks late, and we acclimated them outside in the shade. Typically, it’s best to acclimate young plants for a few days and then plant. We kept them shaded for almost a month. Despite carefully monitoring, we did lose a few plants.
We’re novice farmers so mowing and growing lavender is new to us. We don’t want to lose any more plants so mowing will have to wait. It's going to be hard work in high heat and humidity to prepare the field and get the lavender in the ground. The lavender field should be completed over the 4th of July weekend.
Not an ideal time to plant lavender, but with the right amendments, drainage, water and some luck, it may be a successful test. Hoping for no more unforeseen hiccups although realistically, expect a few. It’s a test after all to learn how to grow lavender with a bonus of a small harvest next spring.
