Lavender

[Scout19075]

How late in the summer is too late to plant lavender seedlings outside?

My son planted seeds in those little compostable pots and we put them on a windowsill in a homemade greenhouse. They're growing really well, taller than the little pots (though they still definitely look like delicate little plants) and we can see the roots coming out of the compostable pots. I'm wondering if it's too late in the summer to plant them out or if I should just upgrade their pots and keep them going inside through the winter and plant them out in the spring?

If it makes a difference they're going to be going into a large stone planter (about two foot high and about three foot in diameter) and not in the ground.

Thanks!

I'm doing this too, though yours sound larger than mine are!

I am going to pot mine on, and aim to leave them in the greenhouse over the winter to harden them up a bit. It allows me to control their exposure to water - I'm not going to give them too much during the cold season as they won't like it.

Thanks shovetheholly.

Yes, I am thinking at this point, and given how darn cold, wet and windy it's been here (in East Anglia) that in order to give them any hope of survival a winter indoors is the way to go.

I'm wondering if I can just keep repotting them into larger compostable pots as I don't have pots larger than little seedling pots and don't really have the room to keep five/six large pots of lavender around (sadly don't have a greenhouse other than the ones I make!).

Hiya, Scout!

I agree with Holly. Lavender tends to struggle in cold, wet English winters so a winter indoors (or at least, somewhere sheltered), so they can be planted out as bigger, stronger plants, is probably best. Do you have a porch where they could live? Even outdoors next to the house wall and covered in fleece would be better than being exposed to the full force of an East Anglian winter.

'ello, Maud!

When SmallBoy and I repot the lavender do you think I should "greenhouse" them again or is our windowsill suitable for the winter?

Another homemade greenhouse or the windowsill should be suitable. Repot them into pots that are just a bit bigger than the ones they're currently in, and don't water them too much.

SB is now very excited about helping the sprouts "grow into big, strong plants in the winter and in the Spring 2016 I'll put them in their new home of the ginormous pot across the road!"

Do you think they'll be happy going into other compostable pots? We don't have a large selection of pots and don't have a reasonable size between what they're in now and the next size SB has.

Compost able pots should be fine (although they're often made of peat, which is another issue entirely!). Try to make sure they're just one size bigger than the current pots, as little plants can be swamped - too much compost, too much water - if the pot is too big.

Thanks, Maud. Need to get more pots and some soil. I know what we'll be doing this week...!