I started Hidcote and Munstead seeds. As recommended, I used a heat mat during the day (72%) and moved to the basement (60%) at night. After 14 days I had ~ 25% germination from both varieties. Over the next 15 days the rate went to ~35% for the Hidcote and 50% for the Munstead. I used mini soil blocks to start and moved up to 2 Inch blocks at around 4 leaves. First sprouts are about an inch tall with 3 layers of leaves (30 days). I expect all the seedlings will be in good shape for post frost planting (~70-80 days).

I planted hidcote blue lavender around 3 years ago as a safe mosquito and other pest preventative as well as for dried arrangements and home sachets. I carefully made a plan and drew up where I would have the lavender placed, then germinated over two packs of seeds in stages in my den, then planting them. I saw no result the first year and thought they did not make it. Then last year I saw thin feathery bits of greenery I had not seen before in my yard and smelled lavender strongly. I showed it to my spouse and he did not think it was lavender. I let it grow a bit, but then mowed it. This year I smelled lavender and saw the slender feathery sprigs again. There were many more of them scattered all over the front of my yard, but not where I initially planted them. I realized they would still look nice, perhaps better than I had even thought they could. So I just edged my lawn and did not mow. Well I am so glad I made this decision! Vegetables I had planted in planters in my back yard started sprouting all over my front lawn, but precisely placed along with the most gorgeous, luscious and beautiful smelling lavender. My lawn looks better than it ever did and I even got a compliment on it from a neighbor. The lavender is a bit like a ground cover and does not look messy. It is placed wonderfully as are my vegetables. What an easier way to garden than all the meticulous effort with the planters and garden beds! The lavender is interspersed with onions also and I can not smell the onions. I only trim the tops, dry them and use them as onion powder or fresh chives, and they also sprout flowers and lo and behold, miniature onions the size of small garlic cloves form on the tips for me to clip off. My spouse could not get over it staring at them in amazement. He was only convinced when he ate one that it was actually possible for mini onions to form on the tips of the onion tops. My German chamomile I container planted in my back yard that did not like it there and never flowered is somehow also coming up as a ground cover in my front yard and is also nicely placed. I recommend this form of gardening as it is beautiful and functional. The plants will place themselves. Do not pull up roots. Do not put down weed repellents, insect repellents, harmful plants or fertilizers, none are needed. I mulch with my mower and place coffee grounds once in a while on fruit trees. Trim carrot tops and taste one and you will see it tastes just like a carrot, super sweet. You will not have to replant and will doing the plants a kindness by not destroying them. Gardening was designed to be easy and beautiful and kind.