Learn to Grow, Harvest and Use Lavender
This is a course for anyone with a passion or serious interest in lavender -amateurs and professionals alike.
If you are thinking about starting a lavender farm; or even a herb nursery or other business which will be growing lavender plants or making lavender products: this is an ideal starting point. It gives you systematic approach to developing your understanding and knowledge, and as you do, an opportunity to be guided by horticultural professionals who have spent decades gathering information and experience growing and using lavender.
You may be more interested in using lavender in a landscape or breeding new cultivars. This is as good a foundation as you are likely to find anywhere, with all things to do with lavender.
Lavender is grown commercially in France, England, Spain, Italy, USA, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Japan. Each region growing species that are best suited to local conditions – many trials have been conducted world-wide to isolate the best species for specific local conditions.
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.
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Classification and identification of lavender, general characteristics of the group, contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
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Soils, Fertilisers and Nutrition for Lavender
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Soil structure, pH, organic matter, ameliorants and organic growing.
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Cultural Techniques for Lavender Growing
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Pruning, water management (mulching, irrigation, drainage, etc.), planting and establishment methods, crop scheduling, no dig gardening.
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Lavender Propagation
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Propagation from cuttings, propagation growth media, other propagation methods,
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Commercial Alternatives
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Managing a Market Garden, standards, mulches, problems and their control, weed control without chemicals, economic outlook for herbs.
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Plant Variety Selection and Breeding
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Breeding and selecting new varieties, lavender clone selection for essential oils in Tasmania.
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Building Plant Knowledge
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Lavender types and other varieties, advantages and disadvantages of different varieties.
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Harvesting, Postharvest Treatment and Storage
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Harvesting, distillation and oils, post harvest preservation of fresh herbs, drying lavender.
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Processing and Making Lavender Products
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Lavender crafts, using herbs in cooking, selling herb products.
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Marketing Lavender Produce
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How to market your produce, considering your market, market research, selling successfully.
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Describe the plant naming system and classification of plants
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Discuss the nature and scope of the Lavender genus.
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Describe the nutritional requirements of the lavender species.
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Explain the cultural requirements of the lavender species.
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Explain propagating techniques specific to lavender
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Describe commercial lavender growing operations.
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Select species appropriate to the climatic and soil conditions of a chosen locality.
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Describe of a variety of lavender species and cultivars.
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Describe the production processes on a lavender farm.
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Describe various lavender products and discuss the way in which they are processed.
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Explain the processes used in the marketing of lavender products.
What You Will Do
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Prepare a collection of 20 different types of lavender in the form of pressed, dried, labelled specimens
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Compile a resource file of contacts relevant to lavender and lavender growing
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Contact a number of lavender related organisations for information on their activities in the industry
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Collect and test at least three different soil samples
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Identify and (optional) manufacture a potting mix suitable for lavender growing
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Collect information on organic and inorganic fertilisers from fertiliser companies
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Research information on machinery used in horticulture by contacting the companies that produce it
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Produce a no dig garden or an organic garden
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Manufacture a propagating mix for lavender cuttings
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Take lavender cuttings for propagation
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Contact a herb nursery to observe their operation
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Research irrigation equipment by contacting irrigation suppliers
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Cross pollinate lavender and grow the resulting seed
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Compare various types of lavender
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Harvest a number of different types of lavender
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Produce a small quantity of lavender oil
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Produce two non edible and one edible product containing lavender
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Visit a shop selling lavender products to observe marketing procedures
How do you Grow Lavender?
Lavenders are hardy plants that can adapt to many situations, but they are at their best when growing in the following conditions:
- Full sun
- Well-drained soil
- Reasonably fertile soil
- Alkaline soil - if acid, apply lime
- They tolerate dry conditions, but grow better if watered in dry weather
- Prune hard once or twice a year to keep them in shape and increase their longevity. Cut back up to one-third of the bush after flowering. Do not prune into old wood (for most species).
What Opportunities are there?
Lavender is one of the most important herbs cultivated around the world.
Demand for high quality lavender oil is always strong; and the most pure oils can often sell at per kg prices comparable with, or higher than the price of gold.
The best oils are used in some of the most expensive perfumes and this “top end” business provides excellent opportunities for lavender farmers who can perfect their farming. Perfecting your skills at this level is easier said than done though; and will take years of hard work combined with appropriate investment capital and exceptional scientific knowledge combine with a sharp business sense.
Most people who work with lavender however will work at a level below this top end.
The lavender industry is diverse, and large. Some work in businesses that focus only, or mostly, on lavender products. Others produce or market lavender products, alongside other types of products (e.g. a candle shop that sells lavender candles along with other types of candles, or a herb nursery that supplies lavender plants along with other types of herb plants).
Create a Lavender Garden, Start a Lavender Nursery, or Produce Lavender Products.
- Plants – propagation nurseries sell rooted cuttings, plants for large scale lavender plantations, potted plants (various sized pots), trained plants (e.g. topiary standard).
- Cut flowers - dried or fresh.
- Oils – retail, wholesale; supplied to factories, crafts industries, aromatherapy, etc.
- Pharmaceuticals/ Health Industries – Massage oils, aromatherapy, components in liniment, etc.
- Cleaning - washing powders and liquids, spray on cleaners.
- Perfumery - perfumes, deodorants, air fresheners.
- Pest control – garden, veterinary, human.
- Culinary - alcoholic liqueurs, non-alcoholic drinks, baked goods.
- Crafts - scented sachets, potpourri.
WHAT YOU MIGHT ACHIEVE THROUGH STUDYING THIS COURSE
Your knowledge and understanding of lavender will increase greatly.
You will become aware of commercial career and business opportunities you may not have thought about previously.
You will understand what lavenders to grow, how to harvest the plants, and how to produce different lavender products.
This is a course that can be of great value to:
- Lavender farmers
- Herbal Product Manufacturers or suppliers
- Landscapers, gardeners, horticulturists
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