How often should I water lavender plants?

Watering lavender - conduct yourself with the restraint of a desert environment. My first plants died from overwatering because I treated them like tomatoes. Established lavender prefers neglect to watering... Only water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry and crumble. For a more definite test, stick a wooden skewer into the soil and then pull it out; when the skewer comes out clean, soak the soil thoroughly.

Seasonal changes govern watering schedules. During summer in my zone 7 garden, I must water every 14 days, while in winter, there is no watering needed. Plants in containers must be monitored more closely since their soil generally dries more quickly. I typically rely on my finger for potted plants and rely on weather applications to track evaporation rates.

Don't use sprinklers at all. Lavender gets woody stems and rots when watered from the spray. I use drip irrigation at 6 inches from the base of the plant. A client was watering lavender with a hose spray, and after I canceled the hose and we watered the plant at the roots, the size of the blooms doubled the following year.

Read the full article: How to Grow Lavender: Complete Expert Guide for Success