Top News

As the UK heads further into May, lavender truly begins to thrive in gardens. The silvery leaves become fuller and softer, the stems start to elongate, and you'll often see the initial buds starting to appear. This is a beautiful phase, perhaps one of the most beautiful, but it's also a crucial time.

Your actions now significantly influence how your plant will appear and bloom throughout the summer. Pruning is not the only thing to do now to get lavender to thrive; weeding is also crucial, according to the experts at Lowes Lavender Farm.

As lavender begins to grow more in May, allowing it some space becomes quite essential. Spending a few minutes to remove any weeds or competing plants near the base is beneficial. Nothing too strenuous, just a quick clean-up to maintain an open and tidy area.

The lavender experts said: "Weeding is important to ensure that weeds don't steal nutrients and water from your lavender plants."

Weeding around your lavender plants might feel like a small step, but it pays off.

Better airflow helps keep lavender healthy, especially as temperatures rise, and it reduces the risk of issues later on in the season.

There's also the visual benefit - when the base is clear, lavender really shows off its natural shape, and the whole planting feels more intentional and refined.

The most common way to remove the weeds is to pull them by hand. This method allows you to remove the entire plant, including the root system, which helps prevent the weed from regrowing.

It is best done when the soil is moist, such as after rainfall or watering, as this makes it easier to pull the weeds out completely.

Using a hand fork or weeding tool can also help loosen the soil and lift stubborn weeds.

To prevent the weeds in the first place, it's worth covering the soil with mulch. A layer of mulch blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds, making it harder for them to germinate and grow.

Apply a layer of mulch around your plants in spring before weeds have a chance to establish. Organic materials such as bark chips, compost, straw, or leaf mould work particularly well and will gradually break down to improve the soil.