Repel Ticks This Summer With A Popular Garden Plant You Can Easily Grow

No one wants a nasty bite from a tick, especially when it might lead to a case of Lyme disease. Nearly half a million new cases of Lyme disease are reported every year, with most cases occurring in the Northeast and Midwest. Lyme disease is on the rise with more infections being reported among people aged 65 and older. But luckily there's an easy plant that you can grow in your garden to repel them: lavender (Lavendula angustifolia).

Lavender, a no-fuss perennial, loves a whole lot of sunlight and hates to sit in water. It's a versatile plant that will grow in a lot of places, as long as it's not too wet and the soil is a little alkaline. It's a lovely addition to the garden in more ways than one. Most people think about ticks as only being deep in the woods, but they also love shady spots in your garden. They are especially prone to lurking in thick ground cover near stone walls. 

While we love the scent of lavender in soap and lotions, ticks tend to hate the smell. Several scientific studies concluded that lavender does repel ticks, but those studies used concentrated lavender oil, not the plant itself, to reach those conclusions. Still, if you grow your own lavender, you can benefit from the fragrant plant and make your own lavender oil as a tick repellent. 

To grow lavender, first decide where to plant it. If you're asking yourself is lavender better off planted in the ground or in containers? The answer really depends on your winters. Almost all varieties of lavender dislike extreme cold. It's suitable for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5 through 8. If you happen to live in a lower numbered zone with a colder winter, then you can grow your lavender in a pot and take it inside during frigid months.

When planting lavender, use cuttings or small plants, rather than seeds, because seeds can take awhile to germinate — if they germinate at all. Lavender is better off planted in the spring, after any possible frost, so it has time to establish its roots before winter. If you do plant in the fall, make sure it's a more mature plant, and it has at least two good warm months before the freeze for the lavender roots to establish themselves.

When planting in the ground, give lavender plenty of room. It typically needs about two feet between each plant. Lavender will grow 1 to 2 feet high, but it'll take about 3 years for a young plant to reach its full potential.  Water 1 to 2 times a week while the plant is getting established and then less frequently from there on out. You'll know you've watered too much if the leaves begin to yellow. If you'd like a harmonious garden, consider planting fantastic companion plants for lavender, such as rosemary or roses.