Lavender 'blooms and looks amazing' when fed one homemade fertiliser
Lavender remains a firm favourite among gardeners, not only for its stunning appearance and delightful scent but also for its simplicity of cultivation, provided it receives proper nourishment.
The ideal time to plant lavender is April or May, when frost poses minimal threat to the roots, allowing the plant sufficient opportunity to establish itself before the summer arrives. Stephanie LeBlanc, a gardening specialist and founder of Celebrated Herb, revealed that while growing lavender is simple, the secret to maintaining them "healthy, blooming and looking amazing all year round" depends on the "right fertiliser".
The expert shared the best type of fertiliser to use, and it's an easy-to-make homemade mix. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in their garden bins, as you could face punishment.
Stephanie explained the benefits of a homemade fertiliser: "Organic fertilisers, such as composted manure, worm castings, and bone meal, are excellent choices because they provide a balanced mix of essential nutrients and improve soil structure.
"These organic materials can be added to the soil or used as a top dressing to provide a slow release of nutrients to the plant's root zone.", reports the Express.
Nevertheless, you don't need to splash out on fertiliser for your lavender plants. This herb can flourish using kitchen waste, offering an economical feeding alternative.
Stephanie recommended: "Lavender plants do not require a lot of nutrients, you can still use some kitchen scraps to provide them with additional nourishment."
Should you wish to give your lavender an extra lift, use preserved vegetable waste such as carrot tops or lettuce leaves to create your own homemade compost. The expert observed that gardeners can "simply layer the scraps with dry leaves and grass clippings in a compost bin and wait for it to decompose into rich compost."
Furthermore, banana peels are frequently a garden's hidden treasure, particularly beneficial for lavender and countless other plants owing to their elevated potassium levels, a vital nutrient for flowering specimens. All you need to do is chop up the banana skins and nestle them around the base of your lavender plants; it's a clever method to guarantee they thrive with energy.
Searching for the ideal DIY fertiliser to boost your lavender? Well, Stephanie has devised a "simple recipe" for a homemade mixture that pledges, not only to stimulate flower production, but also to improve soil health, addressing the frequently overlooked problem of inadequate soil quality and drainage that hinders lavender development.
The gardening expert Stephaine commented: "This fertiliser provides magnesium and sulphur from the Epsom salt, alkalises the soil with baking soda, and supplies additional nutrients with the fish emulsion."
Here's everything you need:
One gallon of water
One tablespoon of Epsom salt
One tablespoon of baking soda
One tablespoon of fish emulsion
Method:
Simply mix together the ingredients in a bucket or watering can, ensuring they blend into a consistent solution
Apply it to the base of the lavender, avoiding the plant's foliage, followed by normal watering. Gardeners are advised not to overfeed lavender, but a single nourishment at the start of its growth can spark blossoms.
Stephanie added: "It's important to note that lavender plants do not require heavy fertilisation, so use this homemade fertiliser sparingly, once every few months. Over-fertilising can actually harm plants."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Delicious carrot cake recipe only needs four main ingredients including kitchen staple
A simple and easy carrot cake recipe has circulated online, and it only requires four ingredients - what's better is you won't even need any eggs or butter either Carrot cake recipes can frequently require considerable effort to prepare, particularly when it comes to traditional versions. Nevertheless, with the proper method, carrot cake can be incredibly simple and require virtually no time whatsoever. Numerous recipes call for an extensive ingredient list and complicated techniques to achieve the ideal consistency, but replacing eggs and butter with a single ingredient can create a far easier bake. Originally posted on a money-saving Facebook group, the method is "quick and easy", plus "a good way to use up carrots in the fridge", according to a Practical Parenting blogger. Follow this recipe that's perfect for a garden party treat as exciting heatwave forecast with maps reveals the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK. Condensed milk serves as an excellent egg replacement and means less sugar is required to balance the sponge, reports the Express. Here's what you'll need: Ingredients Two cups self-raising flour (240g) Two cups grated carrots (245g) One tin of condensed milk 100g pecan nuts, walnuts or sultanas Cream cheese frosting (optional) 60g softened butter 500g icing sugar (sieved) 250g cream cheese 80ml lemon juice Method Preparing the cake is effortless, requiring only a standard-sized loaf tin and a large mixing bowl. Begin by heating the oven to 180C, then butter and line the loaf tin with baking paper to cover the bottom and sides. Grate the carrots and place them in a clean tea towel, fold over and gently squeeze out any excess liquid. Measure out the flour and condensed milk, then add both to the mixing bowl alongside the carrots. Combine all the ingredients together to create the cake batter, mixing in the nuts or sultanas after you do so. Note that a combination of both works well - use 50g of each. Blend them into the mixture and then pour everything into the prepared loaf tin. Bake for 45 minutes at 180C until a skewer comes out clean. After baking, remove the tin from the oven and allow the cake to cool. If you're preparing cream cheese frosting, move on to the next step. Use an electric whisk to beat the cream cheese until it's smooth, then add the softened butter and whisk for 30 seconds to a minute until they're thoroughly combined. Add lemon juice and icing sugar, and continue mixing until everything is melted together. Once the cake has completely cooled down, spread the frosting on top.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Lavender 'blooms and looks amazing' when fed one homemade fertiliser
Lavender is a staple in British gardens - the hardy perennial herb is loved for its delicate purple blooms and its ability to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies Lavender remains a firm favourite among gardeners, not only for its stunning appearance and delightful scent but also for its simplicity of cultivation, provided it receives proper nourishment. The ideal time to plant lavender is April or May, when frost poses minimal threat to the roots, allowing the plant sufficient opportunity to establish itself before the summer arrives. Stephanie LeBlanc, a gardening specialist and founder of Celebrated Herb, revealed that while growing lavender is simple, the secret to maintaining them "healthy, blooming and looking amazing all year round" depends on the "right fertiliser". The expert shared the best type of fertiliser to use, and it's an easy-to-make homemade mix. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in their garden bins, as you could face punishment. Stephanie explained the benefits of a homemade fertiliser: "Organic fertilisers, such as composted manure, worm castings, and bone meal, are excellent choices because they provide a balanced mix of essential nutrients and improve soil structure. "These organic materials can be added to the soil or used as a top dressing to provide a slow release of nutrients to the plant's root zone.", reports the Express. Nevertheless, you don't need to splash out on fertiliser for your lavender plants. This herb can flourish using kitchen waste, offering an economical feeding alternative. Stephanie recommended: "Lavender plants do not require a lot of nutrients, you can still use some kitchen scraps to provide them with additional nourishment." Should you wish to give your lavender an extra lift, use preserved vegetable waste such as carrot tops or lettuce leaves to create your own homemade compost. The expert observed that gardeners can "simply layer the scraps with dry leaves and grass clippings in a compost bin and wait for it to decompose into rich compost." Furthermore, banana peels are frequently a garden's hidden treasure, particularly beneficial for lavender and countless other plants owing to their elevated potassium levels, a vital nutrient for flowering specimens. All you need to do is chop up the banana skins and nestle them around the base of your lavender plants; it's a clever method to guarantee they thrive with energy. Searching for the ideal DIY fertiliser to boost your lavender? Well, Stephanie has devised a "simple recipe" for a homemade mixture that pledges, not only to stimulate flower production, but also to improve soil health, addressing the frequently overlooked problem of inadequate soil quality and drainage that hinders lavender development. The gardening expert Stephaine commented: "This fertiliser provides magnesium and sulphur from the Epsom salt, alkalises the soil with baking soda, and supplies additional nutrients with the fish emulsion." Here's everything you need: One gallon of water One tablespoon of Epsom salt One tablespoon of baking soda One tablespoon of fish emulsion Method: Simply mix together the ingredients in a bucket or watering can, ensuring they blend into a consistent solution Apply it to the base of the lavender, avoiding the plant's foliage, followed by normal watering. Gardeners are advised not to overfeed lavender, but a single nourishment at the start of its growth can spark blossoms. Stephanie added: "It's important to note that lavender plants do not require heavy fertilisation, so use this homemade fertiliser sparingly, once every few months. Over-fertilising can actually harm plants."
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Titan disaster 'was preventable', says US Coast Guard
An investigation was held into the implosion of the OceanGate-operated vessel, which took place whilst it was en route to the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean on June 18, 2023. On Tuesday, August 5, the US Coast Guard published its findings in a 300-page document, which stated that the deaths of all five people onboard the submersible 'were preventable'. (Image: OceanGate Expeditions/PA) Among the passengers was Suleman Dawood, a 19-year-old Strathclyde University student, and his father, Shahzada. The implosion also killed Titan's operator and OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, veteran Titanic explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and British adventurer Hamish Harding. Jason Neubaeur, Titan Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) chair, spoke out on Tuesday about the findings following a two-year investigation into the fatal incident. READ NEXT: Tributes for 'one of a kind chef' after unexpected death He said: 'This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework. 'I am optimistic the Report of Investigation's findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation.' The US Coast Guard's MBI determined the primary contributing factors were OceanGate's 'inadequate' design, certification, maintenance, and inspection process for the Titan. Other factors cited in the report include a 'toxic workplace culture' at the company, an 'inadequate' domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an 'ineffective' whistleblower process under the Seaman's Protection Act. READ NEXT: Glasgow locals 'devastated' as Speirs Wharf canal barge sunk The US Coast Guard went on to say it found that OceanGate failed to properly investigate and address 'known hull anomalies' following its 2022 Titanic expedition. Investigators determined that the Titan's real-time monitoring system generated data that should have been analysed and acted on during this expedition. However, OceanGate is said not to have taken any action related to the data, conducted any preventative maintenance, or properly stored the Titan during the extended off-season before its 2023 Titanic expedition. The report made various recommendations, including expanding federal and international requirements to all submersibles conducting scientific or commercial dives and requiring Coast Guard documentation for all US submersibles. The Marine Board's report is now under review by the Commandant of the Coast Guard. Once this process is completed, the Commandant will issue a final action memorandum confirming the US Coast Guard's position on the recommendations and any actions to be pursued. To view the US Coast Guard's MBI report, visit HERE.
