Spring is in full swing here at The Lavender Owl Farm, and while our fields aren’t blooming with lavender just yet, big things are happening behind the scenes, and under the soil.
This month, we’ve been busy preparing for the arrival of 5,000 lavender vera plugs, and let us tell you, laying the foundation for a thriving lavender field takes more than just digging holes and dreaming big (though we’re doing plenty of that too!).
🚜 Laying the Groundwork
We started by carefully measuring and forming the planting rows across our main field. Each row was planned to give our lavender the airflow, sunlight, and drainage it needs to thrive in our clay-rich Mercersburg soil.
From there, we added key soil amendments based on our test results, boosting nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and more to give our young plants a healthy head start. Once the amendments were blended in, we got to work installing weed barrier and laying down drip irrigation, ensuring that we’ll be able to water efficiently and suppress weeds from day one.
💧 Why All This Matters
Lavender may be hardy, but it loves well-drained soil, dry feet, and space to breathe. By investing time and care into our setup now, we’re setting the stage for healthier plants, better blooms, and (hopefully!) a beautiful harvest season just a few months away.
🗓 What’s Next
Our 5,000 lavender vera plugs are expected to arrive in mid-May, and we’re planning a community planting day to get them in the ground, all hands and hearts welcome. If you'd like to help us plant, be sure to check out our Volunteer Sign-Up page.
This is our very first lavender season, and every step, from soil testing to stapling down weed barrier, is a learning experience. But it's one we’re proud to share with our community.
Stay tuned for updates as we get ready to plant!
With dirt under our nails and hope in our hearts,
Ashley, James & The Lavender Owl Farm Crew 🦉💜
