“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
Attributed to Abraham Lincoln
Spring brings the transition from dormancy to disciplined action. For small lavender farms, this is the season that determines plant vigor, harvest quality, and overall operational efficiency for the year ahead. A structured approach to spring readiness—addressing plant health, infrastructure, field sanitation, and marketing logistics—reduces in-season stress and positions the farm for a productive bloom cycle. Treat spring not as a rush of activity, but as a systematic reset.
1. Prune and Shape Plants (if not completed in autumn)
Light structural pruning stimulates uniform growth and helps prevent woody, unproductive centers. Remove winter-killed stems and reshape mounds for airflow and symmetry. Keep in mind that L. angustifolia cultivars usually start to show new growth by the end of March or early April in USDA Zone 8. Hard pruning of L.angustifolia cultivars should not be done until all threat of frost has passed, and perhaps it is better done shortly after the bloom.
Tip: Use sharp bypass pruners, manual hedge shears, or powered hedge trimmers, and sanitize blades between rows to limit disease transfer. Avoid cutting into old woody growth on established plants.
2. Weed Management and Bed Sanitation
Early-season weed control reduces competition for water and nutrients during rapid spring growth. Clear debris that may harbor fungal pathogens.
Tip: Address weeds when soil moisture allows easy removal. A shallow stirrup hoe pass before weeds flower and seed will save hours later.
3. Irrigation System Inspection and Testing
Check drip lines, emitters, connectors, and timers before plants enter active growth. Early repairs prevent water stress during bud development.
Tip: Run the system and walk every row. Mark leaks or clogged emitters with flags for quick correction.
4. Soil Assessment and Nutrient Planning
Lavender prefers lean soils, but testing every 2–3 years helps confirm pH balance and drainage performance. Amend only if needed.
Tip: Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers; excess nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of fragrance and oil quality.
5. Inventory Supplies and Harvest Equipment
Confirm availability of drying racks, rubber bands, harvest bins, distillation equipment (if applicable), and packaging materials.
Tip: Repair or replace worn tools now. Small maintenance tasks are far less disruptive before bloom.
6. Plan Field Flow and Labor Scheduling
Map anticipated bloom windows by cultivar. Establish a harvest sequence and assign harvest and processing roles early.
Tip: Create a simple bloom calendar and checklist for each field row or block to prevent bottlenecks during peak flowering.
7. Prepare for Farm Visits and You-Pick Season
If hosting guests, spring is the time to review the entire visitor experience—from parking and signage to check-in flow and payment systems. Confirm liability coverage, refresh safety signage, inspect walkways, and evaluate restroom access.
Why now? Early preparation prevents last-minute scrambling during bloom, when your attention must be on harvest timing and crop quality.
Tip: Walk your property as if you are a first-time guest. Identify friction points (confusing signage, uneven paths, unclear pricing) and correct them before marketing begins.
8. Verify Distilling and Drying Readiness
Inspect and service stills, condensers, burners, thermometers, drying racks, fans, and storage areas. Confirm that your drying environment has adequate airflow, shade, and pest control. Clean and sanitize all contact surfaces.
Why now? Equipment failure during peak bloom can result in lost oil yield or compromised dried bundles.
Tip: Conduct a dry run: assemble the still, test heat sources, and simulate a small batch distillation with water only. For drying, test airflow patterns and confirm that racks are stable and clean.
9. Prepare for Value-Added Production
Review formulations, packaging inventory, labeling compliance, and ingredient sourcing for products such as sachets, culinary blends, simple syrups, soaps, or body care items. Verify lot tracking procedures and storage conditions for dried buds and essential oil.
Why now? Value-added production often begins before harvest and carries on through the season; delays in packaging or labeling can stall sales momentum.
Tip: Do a batch of small pilot runs before bloom to confirm scent retention, color stability, and shelf presentation. Standardize recipes and document them clearly to ensure consistency during busy production periods.
Contributed, edited & formatted by
Michael Lemmers & Christine Mulder
RavenCroft & Barn Owl Nursery
