Soggy Soil, Hot Tips: How To Keep Your Lavender Alive In Wet Conditions

This season has brought more rain than we've asked for (like, a lot more) and if you’ve been eyeing your garden beds with hesitation (or squishing through your backyard like it's a marsh), you’re not alone. Planting and plant care during periods of heavy rain can be risky, but with a few extra precautions and a little patience, it’s totally manageable.

Let’s talk about why soggy soil is a problem, how to work around it, and what you can do to keep your green babies happy and healthy, even when the clouds won’t quit.

Why Keeping Lavender Alive In Wet Conditions is Tricky

Healthy plant roots need three things to thrive: moisture, nutrients, and oxygen. When the soil is too saturated, it pushes out the oxygen and smothers the roots, creating a cold, wet environment that’s perfect for rot, mold, and a whole host of unpleasant fungal guests. Plus, working wet soil can compact it, making drainage worse and leaving your plants stuck in a lifeless, airless mud pie.( As you may or may not yet know yet in your lavender endeavor, lavender absolutely hates wet feet and nutrient dense soil)

This is especially true in heavy clay soils, where water tends to sit instead of drain. If you dig a hole and it fills with water like a bathtub, your plants don’t stand much of a chance without a little intervention.

Timing is Everything

Your best bet is to wait until the soil has had a chance to dry out slightly before planting. You’re looking for a texture that’s only slightly damp and crumbly—not sticky, slippery, or spongy. If your boots come out heavier than when they went in, it's probably too soon. Check your weather forecast and aim for a dry window of at least two to three days, if possible.

But we get it—sometimes, schedules don’t cooperate. You’ve got your seedlings, your shovel, and a weekend with a forecast that reads like a weepy novel. That’s when it’s time to get strategic.

Working with Wet Conditions

If you’re planting in moist conditions, the goal is to maximize drainage and protect the root zone from prolonged saturation. Start by amending your soil with coarse sand, small gravel, or perlite—this helps break up the dense, heavy texture and allows water to pass through more easily. Focus on the planting hole and surrounding area, creating pockets of looser, better-aerated soil.

Raising your planting site is another powerful trick to keeping your lavender alive in wet conditions. Creating a mound or raised row 6–8 inches high lifts the crown of your plant above the surrounding ground, giving excess water somewhere to drain. It also helps protect the plant from cold, wet roots, especially important for lavender and other perennials that dislike “wet feet.”

If your space allows, consider digging a shallow drainage trench around the area, or directing runoff away from planting zones. Even small changes in grade or elevation can help keep your roots out of the muck.

Be careful with your movements, too—avoid walking directly on your beds or planting zones when the soil is wet. Your weight can compress the soil, squeezing out air pockets and making future drainage even worse. Use stepping stones, boards, or paths to distribute your weight and preserve your soil structure.

Watch the Skies

We know the sun feels like a rare guest right now, but your weather app is your best friend. Try to time your planting and major soil work for when a dry spell is predicted. Even a few hours of sun or wind can help dry the surface and make conditions safer for your plants.

If you’ve already planted and a torrential downpour is looming on the horizon, consider using row covers or tarps to temporarily shield tender areas. Just make sure they’re well-ventilated—trapping heat and moisture can do more harm than good.

When The Clouds Clear

Rainy weather is part of the rhythm of life on the farm, and we embrace it—mud and all. But thoughtful planting during wet conditions can save you a lot of heartbreak (and a lot of mushy roots). A little extra care now means more beauty, blooms, and calm in the months ahead.

If you need help choosing the right varieties for wetter areas or have questions about drainage, swing by the farm or shoot us a message—we’re always happy to talk dirt. 💜