This year with the unseasonably warm weather in March many people have been out and about in their gardens. Typically I don’t begin to spring prune my lavender plants until all signs of frost have past and the full moon calendar is a good indicator. The next full moon is scheduled for April 6th, which is not that far away with another on May 6th. My plants are greening up already and with temperatures expected to rise by the end of the week to seasonable temperatures again I’m thinking that pruning will start after the next full moon.

At Serenity we prune in the fall and just lightly touch up the plants in the spring. But if you have not done fall pruning I recommend a good trim to keep your plants healthy and productive. Both the top and sides of the plant need to be pruned to generate new growth and prevent legginess or splitting of the branches. Some varieties have a sprawling habitat and a nice thick bush for a lavender plant is the optimal goal.

As a general rule, the lavender plant should be pruned back by one third of the new growth. Be sure to trim only the soft green branches and not cut into the wood of the plant. Trimming promotes the branching of stems for a full thick plant.

Timing is everything with spring pruning – after the risk of frost to prevent damage to the plants but before the plant gears up into bud production to allow for a full flowering show in July and all through the summer.