I am just north of Springfield in Greene Co., Mo. I love lavender and used to buy the plants but once they got so expensive, I decided to try growing them from seed. I have had very good luck with the variety Munstead (strain) from Park Seed. Now getting all the plants to grow is another thing altogether since our humid climate is difficult for them.

I grow mine in a gravelly area right next to the driveway where water never stands. I have also mixed lots of sand in the soil, but no fertilizer at all. At one time I had 7 plants going but now am down to one scraggly one that may not have survived the winter. I just put a package of seeds planted in moist medium under the grow lights on the back porch and hope to get started again. The one thing I like about Park is the section about how to grow the various plants that is midway in the catalog (or used to be).

I also buy their vinca seeds which is my favorite annual bedding plant that will sometimes self sow for me. I have Pacifica White planted under the lights now. I like melampodium too but forgot to order it. I have plants that have ss two years so maybe their will again.