Spring is a time marked by a series of essential tasks that prepare crops for an optimal growing season. It’s the perfect moment to take advantage of milder weather conditions and implement farming practices that benefit both plant health and soil preservation. Here’s an overview of the springtime work carried out by our producers to ensure healthy and sustainable production.
Soil Maintenance: Hoeing, Fertiliser Application, and Organic Amendments
Proper soil preparation before spring sowing is essential to ensure strong root development and healthy crop growth. Hoeing is a key activity for keeping the soil well-aerated and for removing weeds. At the beginning of spring, several rounds of hoeing are necessary to prevent competition between crops and unwanted plants. This also helps regulate soil moisture and improves nutrient absorption by the plants. Spring is also the ideal time to feed crops with fertilisers and enrich the soil with organic amendments. Adding compost or other organic matter nourishes the soil, improving its structure and fertility. This is a crucial step to support crop growth by providing the nutrients needed for their development. Organic matter is also brought in through winter cover crops, which are mulched in the spring. These green covers protect the soil from harsh weather and help retain the moisture required for the crops in place.
Spring Sowing: Perfume Plants and Field Borders
Spring also marks the start of sowing for certain perfume plants, including Clary Sage, Fennel, and Coriander. Spring sowing is preferred over autumn sowing, as these plants – which thrive in sunny conditions and well-drained soils – require mild enough temperatures to grow properly. Sowing also includes the planting of field borders, known as tournières, around lavandin fields. These grassy areas at the edge of the plots are sown in spring, especially around lavandin planted during winter. Tournières help prevent soil compaction and erosion. These companion plants, along with spring cover crops sown between rows in February, also promote biodiversity by providing shelter for pollinators and other beneficial insects. At the same time, they serve as a natural barrier against pests.
Monitoring Spring Pests: Arima, Scale Insects, and Aphids
Spring is also a time when pests begin to emerge, making early monitoring and control strategies essential to limit their impact. Key pests to watch closely this season include: Arima, which can spread rapidly on Clary Sage, Thyme, and Lavandin; Scale insects, particularly present on Lavandin and Lavender, which weaken plants by feeding on their sap; Aphids, which form colonies on perfume plants like Helichrysum and can transmit viruses. Monitoring spring pests is vital to protect crops and ensure optimal yields. By detecting infestations early, producers can prevent significant damage, lower treatment costs, and opt for more ecological and cost-effective solutions. Early intervention also helps preserve biodiversity, maintain plant health, and avoid the spread of pests to other fields.
Spring is therefore a key season for nourishing the soil and plants, sowing, and preventing infestations. The work carried out during this period is essential to ensure healthy and successful agricultural production. Thanks to the practices put in place, producers can maintain fertile soils and robust crops. The challenge lies in securing future harvests while adopting sustainable, environmentally friendly practices that support the growth of perfume plants—ultimately resulting in high-quality essential oils, produced in sufficient quantity.
