Most visitors come to Cape Cod for the picturesque beaches and harbors, but they never imagine that one of the largest lavender growers on the East Coast is just minutes from the shore. Here, fields of mixed lavender thrive in the sandy coastal soil. When harvest season comes, lavender lovers can't help but follow their noses to the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich.
Pale 'Munstead' and intense purple 'Hidcote' are both popular for their beauty, scent and flavor. These small evergreen shrubs like full sun, well-drained soil (with lots of lime if the soil is too acid), and they grow best in Zone 6 through 9. You'll usually want to plant them in the spring or fall.
Cynthia Sutphin and her family have been growing lavender here for many years. She starts by rototilling the soil one foot deep, then she's ready to plant.
She first gives the plants a little water to loosen the roots. Cynthia puts her plant in a hole as deep as the container, backfills with the same soil, then adds enough lime to get a pH of 6 to 7. Soon, spikes of fragrant lavender blooms will be ready to pick.
Harvesting your lavender gives you beautiful ready-made bouquets, and it helps your plants avoid the No. 1 problem of lavender growers--becoming woody. Gardeners often ask how to prevent their plants from becoming woody, and the best solution is to prune your plants. The best time is after they flower--in the summer time and in the fall. Cut the plant back into a dome shape.
Pick your lavender on a dry day. Then you can sit back and enjoy the bunches as simple arrangements, or try some fresh buds for flavoring your favorite foods.
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