Lavender will thrive in August if gardeners add gravel or sand to the soil now, rather than using fertiliser, according to experts. This simple addition mimics the plant's natural Mediterranean environment and helps it produce more flowers.
Why fertiliser harms lavender
Lavender is a woody herb that naturally flourishes in poor, sandy soil. It is accustomed to surviving in harsh conditions with few nutrients, and applying fertiliser can divert its energy into producing excessive leafy foliage. This can stress the plant, stop it from flowering, and attract slugs that cause further damage.
Katherine McPhillips, writing on Express.co.uk, shared her method: "Instead, if I want to help lavender grow lots of bushy purple flowers, I actually put gravel around it instead of using fertiliser."
Expert advice on soil improvement
Graham Smith, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture, explained: "Lavender can produce leafy stems at the expense of flowers if there is too much nitrogen in the soil or if the soil it is growing in is too fertile. Adding sand or gravel can aerate the soil and reduce the intensity of the nutrients, as it mimics the natural Mediterranean environment in which lavender grows. The sand or gravel will also aid drainage in the soil."
Smith recommends builder's sand or pea gravel for better airflow when used as mulch. Both are available at B&Q, with builder's sand costing £3.75 and pea gravel costing £4.40.
