Lavender Warnborough College

Overview

Lavender has been a popular cultivated plant for many centuries and is perhaps the most common, and certainly one of the most versatile herbs you could ever consider growing. 

It can be grown as a shrub, a tub plant or a hedge; keep it cut low or let it grow over a metre tall. 

The flowers and leaves can be used for medicinal, craft, cosmetic and even culinary purposes, making it a profitable commodity world-wide.

Key facts

Aims of the Lavender course from Warnborough College:

• Prepare a collection of 20 different types of lavender in the form of pressed, dried, labelled specimens

• Compile a resource file of contacts relevant to lavender and lavender growing

• Contact a number of lavender related organisations for information on their activities in the industry

• Collect and test at least three different soil samples

• Identify and (optional) manufacture a potting mix suitable for lavender growing

• Collect information on organic and inorganic fertilisers from fertiliser companies

• Research information on machinery used in horticulture by contacting the companies that produce it

• Produce a no dig garden or an organic garden

• Manufacture a propagating mix for lavender cuttings

• Take lavender cuttings for propagation

• Contact a herb nursery to observe their operation

• Research irrigation equipment by contacting irrigation suppliers

• Cross pollinate lavender and grow the resulting seed

• Compare various types of lavender

• Harvest a number of different types of lavender

• Produce a small quantity of lavender oil

• Produce two non edible and one edible product containing lavender

• Visit a shop selling lavender products to observe marketing procedures