Plant Evaluation

Our objective of this four-year project is to field test different heat, drought, and humidity tolerant species and cultivars of lavender in an amended soil mixture within 5" diameter drilled, 28" deep holes. We will document the performance of these plant varieties in the amended soil mixture over the four-year period and provide an exact, repeatable formula. We will also test numerous row cover crops between the lavender rows for soil management. We aim to companion plant these areas, so they have the same heat, drought, and humidity tolerance as the lavender. We would like to research and test multiple row cover crops with advice from Julie McConnell, our Horticulture Extension Agent in Bay County, Florida. We have currently identified three row cover crops we would like to research: Bahiagrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Microclover. Lavender has been grown as a value crop that can benefit small farms in various growing zones throughout the South. The market range for lavender products (direct from harvest and from processed as value added products) is rather extensive. Numerous lavender products include oil, fresh and dried bundles, potpourri, sachets, lotions, culinary products, as well as pet and veterinary products. For lavender growers, the product market can be local and international with direct and website sales. The lavender market can also reach the national level depending on clientele. Lavender farms can also attract agri-tourism. Lavender is native to warm, dry regions in the Mediterranean. Some of the major problems with growing lavender in the Southern region is plant damage due to heat stress, pests, diseases, and overwatering. These types of damage can be devastating to producers as the plant maturity (as with most perennials) does not reach full growth until the 3rd or 4th year and the potential life span of commercial lavender can reach 10-15 years. There is an estimated 15-20% crop loss per year for some farms growing lavender in various soil types with various methods. The importance of finding the ideal growing environment (both soil and climate) and methods for lavender plants (and potential farms) to produce thriving and long-life span plants is tremendous. A secondary problem with lavender is soil and weed management between the crop rows. The lavender is planted six feet apart with plants every two feet down the row. At Southern Grace Lavender Farm, we initially planted into native soil with a no-till auguring technique which provided individualized french drains and soil amendments (limestone, granite stone and garden soil) for each plant. We have seen varying growth levels throughout the field based upon what we now realize is a variable of nutrient-poor sandy soil and lack of beneficial microbes such as mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria in the soil. The lavender growth also varies based upon weed and grass competition from the area between the rows. This weed competition has been the greatest source of expense to the lavender field for hand weeding around the base of each plant.