Got up early today to tackle my overgrown Munstead lavender bushes. You know how they get if you don’t cut ’em back – all woody and sad-looking in the middle. Grabbed my trusty bypass pruners, some heavy-duty gardening gloves, and a tarp to catch the mess. Figured I’d keep it simple, no fancy electric tools needed.
First Steps Outside
Walked out there around 8 AM, coffee in hand. Sun wasn’t too hot yet, good timing. Kneeled right down next to the first bush. Poked around the base – wow, lots of old, dead wood hiding underneath all that nice green. Started by yanking out any dead twigs and branches near the bottom with my fingers. Heard some snaps and cracks, felt good to clear that junk out. Tossed it all on the tarp.
The Real Cutting Begins
Put the gloves on – lavender stems can be surprisingly tough! Found where the soft, green growth started on each main branch. Aimed my pruners about one, maybe two inches above where the wood felt hard and old. Squeezed hard on the pruners. Snip! Snip! Tried to make clean cuts.
Important thing I learned the hard way?
- Don’t cut too far down into the old brown wood. Makes it harder for the plant to grow back nice.
- Don’t be scared to take off a good chunk! Took off like the top third to even half on some branches that were really stretched out.
- Shape matters. Kinda made mine into bumpy little mounds, not perfect balls. Looks more natural.
The Aftermath
Pulled my tarp away – huge pile of clippings! Lavender smell was amazing, strong and sweet, all over my hands and clothes. Took a step back to look. Man, the bushes look so much smaller now. But healthier, you know? Air can get through them better, light too. That dead stuff in the middle? Gone. Felt pretty satisfied.
Finished up by sweeping away the little bits of leaves and stems from the ground. Fed some clippings to the compost bin. Washed my pruners real good with soapy water – sticky stuff!
Was it Worth it?
Took me maybe an hour total for three big bushes. Hands were a bit tired, pruners aren’t that smooth. Sweat dripping, bugs buzzing. But standing back now, yeah, absolutely worth it. Got rid of the ugly, dead parts. The plants look tidier, tougher somehow. Hoping this means way more fragrant purple flowers come summer. Told my neighbor she can take some cuttings if she wants to try growing more. Good simple job done.
