Will lavender survive in the snow belt when plant in first year?

Hello! I'm from Ontario,Canada,I just bought many Lavender plants, will they(Mustead,Hidcote,Lady)survive in the first year from winter outdoor? Do need to prevent for them when snow?





one more question, Do Raccoon like to eat lavender? and there are few bees in front garden, Is good idea if grow Lavender?





Thanks!

Will lavender survive in the snow belt when plant in first year?
Since you bought plants, I should think they'd be well established before the cold hits this fall. " If you live in an area where lavender suffers some winter die-back, don't even think about pruning your plants until you see some new green growth at the base of the plant. If you disturb the plants too soon in the season, they give up trying."





Here's a link to a free e-book on everything lavender...


http://www.taoherbfarm.com/downloads.htm


And this link is about a lavender farm on Vancouver Island. I figure if they can, you can! lol


http://www.happyvalleylavender.com/





Happy Gardening!


ps The bees are great for lavender, as they will help fertilize, and no, I don't think Raccoon like to eat it.
Reply:Lavender is quite hardy! The first year, put a bed of hay down and it should do very well...as for the raccoons, I've NEVER heard of them eating lavender as it is a very pungent herb...the bees are attracted to the sweetness of the nectar, but the plant it self is too pungent for MOST animals. I have heard of deer eating lavender.
Reply:We've planted lavender here in WI and recommend a deep covering with straw or leaves for the first couple of years. One year, we unfortunately thought they were old enough and did not adequately cover and lost half of our bed. The remaining plants ,by the end of the season ,did fill in the open areas. Better to be safe than sorry, it can be expensive to keep replanting. Good luck, once established lavender is so fragrant and very hardy.