Reports in the past 24 hours suggested that the UK had recorded its biggest ever wave, at Penzance in Cornwall. It later turned out to be an anomaly. But how do you measure the height of a wave, asks Tom Heyden.
Trim away dead or damaged parts in spring. If you live in a place with heavy snows and harsh weather, your lavender bush is likely to lose a few branches over the winter. Examine the shrub in early spring, before it begins producing new shoots. Remove any broken or rotting branches to make way for new growth.
However, early research shows that lavender essential oil may be of some benefit when it comes to easing sleep problems. For instance, a 2006 study of 42 women with insomnia found that four weeks of treatment with lavender aromatherapy helped relieve insomnia (in addition to reducing symptoms of depression).