The course is divided into 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction: Classification and identification of lavender, general characteristics of the group, contacts i.e. nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.

2. Understand the basis of all good Horticulture with Soils, Fertilisers and Nutrition for Lavender: Soil structure, pH, organic matter, ameliorants and organic growing.

3. Cultural Techniques for Lavender Growing: Pruning, water management (mulching, irrigation, drainage, etc.), planting and establishment methods, crop scheduling, no dig gardening.

4.  Learn to Propagate Lavender: Propagation from cuttings, propagation growth media, other propagation methods,

5.  Commercial Alternatives for Lavender: Managing a Market Garden, standards, mulches, problems and their control, weed control without chemicals, economic outlook for herbs.

6.  Review Selection and Breeding of Lavenders: Breeding and selecting new varieties, lavender clone selection for essential oils in Tasmania.

7.  Build Plant Knowledge: Lavender types and other varieties, advantages and disadvantages of different varieties.

8.  An overview of Harvesting, Postharvest Treatment and Storage: Harvesting, distillation and oils, post harvest preservation of fresh herbs, drying lavender.

9.  Consider the Processing and Making Lavender Products: Lavender crafts, using herbs in cooking, selling herb products.

10. Learn how to Market Lavender Produce: How to market your produce, considering your market, market research, selling successfully.

AIMS

• Describe the plant naming system and classification of plants
  
• Discuss the nature and scope of the Lavender genus.
  
• Describe the nutritional requirements of the lavender species.
  
• Explain the cultural requirements of the lavender species.
  
• Explain propagating techniques specific to lavender
  
• Describe commercial lavender growing operations.
  
• Select species appropriate to the climatic and soil conditions of a chosen locality.
  
• Describe of a variety of lavender species and cultivars.
  
• Describe the production processes on a lavender farm.
  
• Describe various lavender products and discuss the way in which they are processed.
  
• Explain the processes used in the marketing of lavender products.

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE?

There are a number of practical tasks students will carry out in this course.  If students have problems accessing facilities or resources for practical tasks, alternative tasks can be set.  Practical tasks include:

Visit a shop selling lavender products to observe marketing procedures

 

WHY LAVENDER?

Lavender is perhaps the most widely grown herb. It is certainly one of the most versatile herbs you could ever consider growing.  It can be grown as a shrub, a tub plant or a hedge. You can keep it cut low or let it grow to over a metre tall, depending on the species.

The flowers and leaves can be used for medicinal, craft, cosmetic and even culinary purposes.

Commercially, Lavender is grown in many countries. Each region grows species that are best suited to local conditions – many trials have been conducted worldwide to isolate the best species for specific local conditions.

Lavender is also popular with gardeners and landscapers for its flowers, foliage and scent. Some producers grow lavender exclusively to supply this market.

Lavender Products

Lavender products can be more diverse and valuable than what you might imagine. The best quality lavender oils are used in perfumery and can be more valuable than gold. Lavender can be grown and sold as potted plants, cut flowers (fresh or dried), or processed into any number of products from edible foods to soaps and massage oils.

Where is Lavender Grown?

• In gardens as a landscape plant. It flowers for months on end. In warm temperate climates, some varieties can flower most of the year.
• Grown commercially, harvested and processed to give lavender oil, used in perfumes, massage oils, soaps, etc.
• Harvested and dried to use in crafts (e.g. Lavender pillows).
• Harvested and used fresh as a cut flower.
• It's even used as a culinary herb.

Something Different to Try with Lavender

Recipe for Oranges with Lavender and Pine Nuts
4 large thin skinned oranges
2 tablespoon of raw sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of ground cloves
1 tablespoon of snipped lavender leaves (use young pliable leaves)
2 tablespoons of red currant jelly
2 tablespoon of pine nuts

1. Toast the pine nuts in a non-stick fray pan until golden (watch them carefully as they burn easily).
2. Peel the oranges and reserve the rind of one (catch any juice for later use).
3. Slice the oranges thinly and arrange of a suitable dish.
4. Cut the reserved rind into thin strips.
5. Heat the sugar in 300ml of water using moderate heat.
6. Add the cinnamon and cloves and bring to the boil – stir constantly to dissolve the sugar.
7. The mixture should be kept at a low boil until it resembles thick syrup.
8. Add the lavender leaves and red currant jelly plus the reserved juice you produced when cutting the oranges. Bring to the boil. Add the reserved rind strips and boil for 3 minutes longer.
9. Pour the syrup over the oranges and top with the toasted pine nut.
10. Serve immediately.

Growing Lavender is Relatively Easy, but Growing it Well is Something Else!

Lavenders are generally hardy shrubs, whilst they tolerate a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions, being native to the Mediterranean area: they prefer warm summers and cool winters. The soils of the Mediterranean where lavenders grow naturally are generally poor in nutrition. Soil should be friable (i.e. loose; certainly not rock hard), moderately fertile and ideally be slightly alkaline - pH between 6.4 and 8.2. An annual rainfall of around 900mm is ideal.

Good drainage and mulching (through mulching should be avoided in high rainfall areas) are important; keep the soil moist in the warmer months, but not saturated.  Most lavender tolerates periods of dryness, but an extended drought can kill them. Despite lavender's ability to withstand dry periods - young plants do need soil to remain moist right through the first dry season. Lack of water or excessive heat can discourage flowering.

Lavender is grown widely as a garden plant; and it doesn't take any great amount of knowledge and expertise to be relatively successful with lavender in your home garden.  It does require a great deal more knowledge and expertise to obtain a highly productive crop of lavender though; which produces large amounts of high quality perfume.

The best lavender crop in the world still, cannot sell itself. Quality, price, product and presentation are all aspects of a marketable product however the astute grower will also be aware of a range of marketing strategies that will help to market and sell their crops. Some marketing strategies can include advertising, special presentation, trade marking and so on. Sometimes these marketing strategies can be implemented through a co-operative to lessen the burden of cost on small growers. Each grower should develop an approach that is best suited to their situation.

 

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for different people including:

• Farmers
• Herb farmers
• Market gardeners
• Nursery growers
• Smallholders
• Entrepreneurs
• Anyone interested in growing lavender

Enrol to begin your journey into successful lavender growing today.

 

 

 

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