Lavender Turning Black

Question

We planted ten lavenders about 2 weeks ago. Today is the first day of rain within that 2 weeks and it has been around 22 degrees Celsius. I noticed today that all of the lavenders I’ve planted are turning black. We do have clay soil but they’ve been planted on hills to ensure drainage and those that are on flat surface have lots of stone and sand mixed with the soil. My best guess is ‘black root rot’ caused by fungi- but this has happened pretty quick considering it’s been so hot? I’ve been lightly watering them once a day in the early evening seeing as they’re newly planted. I don’t know whether to dig them up or if they can be saved? Many thanks Melissa

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Answer 1

It does sound like root rot. Clay soil, paired with overwatering will cause this every time.

You will need to amend your soil with quite a bit of material to prevent this in the future.

These articles will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/the-importance-of-soil-for-an-organic-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/improving-garden-soil.htm

On top of that, you will want to treat with a fungicide. This article will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

My preferred method of ridding soil of its contaminants is to fight fire with fire! Beneficial microbes can clean soil just as fast as chemical means can. This article will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm