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In an attempt to make our little farm self-sufficient, we began to research an alternate dry-land crop to raise.
We decided to test lavender. It is drought tolerant; deer won't eat it; it is multi-purpose with lots of options for its use.
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"Open for Business" |
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We have started with 300 plants and our first crop was last summer, producing a fair amount of beautiful, fragrant blooming stems. We dried much of it, and learned how to make soap and bath products.
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"First year crop!" |
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Here's a great way to
display your dried lavender! |
Lavender starts to bloom mid-June. |
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| By early July, we are ready to harvest! |
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| Lavender "Muffin." This is what a lavender plant looks like after we have harvested the flower spikes. |
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While harvesting, blooms are bundled. The bundles are then hung for drying and are later
used in making wreaths, sachets, and potpourri. See our lavender page for info and pictures of our products. |
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This spring, another 300 plants will go in and we are on our way!
Our products are now available for sale.
You cannot order on-line, but please call!
We're happy to ship whatever you need.
Keep an eye on this page. We hope to offer "pick your own" fresh lavender in the future. |
"Llavender" |
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Lavender is native to the mountainous regions of the western half of the Mediterranean. They are a shrub-like, bushy plant and do well in rather poor soil. Mature plants are drought-tolerant making them a wonderful choice for climates like that of the high desert of Eastern Colorado. They are also a wonderful, colorful and fragrant choice for Xeriscape gardens.
Hardy Lavenders are sometimes known as English lavenders, and include the varieties of Munstead and Hidcote. These are the two varieties we currently grow at our farm. They are more fragrant, and sweeter than spike lavender, but produce a lesser yield. These are the types generally used in perfumes and bath products, while spike lavenders are used for crafts and medicinal purposes. The essential oil comes from the flowers of the plant, and is extracted by using a still. It is very
intense in fragrance, and a little goes a long way. The leftover water from the distillation process is called a hydrosol, more commonly knows as lavender water - a fragrant infused water that is wonderful when misted onto linens. It is also a refreshing spray for your skin when working outside on a hot day!
Lavender buds are used extensively in sachets. It is a well loved, ancient herb that has been used as a tonic, an antiseptic, a sedative, a digestive aid, a diuretic, for vertigo, dizziness, eczema, insomnia, asthma, colds, headaches, and more. It also has Mythical attributes, and is the flower of the star sign Gemini. It is considered the herb of love, the scent being said to attract men!
We could go on & on but we think it's more fun for you to experience the wonders of lavender yourself! Come visit the farm or grow your own! You'll be glad you did! |
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Artsy Fartsy Gourds.
When llamas became an obsession 10 years ago, I didn’t think anything would ever arrive in my life that would even run a close second. I was wrong.
While I enjoy the lavender, I am PASSIONATE about gourds. I started by playing around with a few seeds and growing my own and drying them. Then I started visiting websites and buying books on techniques commonly used. And I started trying out some of the techniques. And so the fascination began. Last year I think I harvested well over 100 gourds. This year, I am well on my way to several hundred! Last Christmas, my dear husband presented me with a box full of giant gourds from California, all cleaned and ready for ART. The family did not share in my glee and excitement, but rather looked at me in bewilderment. Much like the way they look at me when I ramble on about my llamas. Ah well. I suppose it could be much worse.
What I enjoy about the gourds is the process. Start to finish. Seed to Art. I enjoy every step along the way, even the learning – and yes, even the “mistakes.” Someone always seems to like my “mistakes.” That’s the thing about art….and most things in life. There is enough diversity in people that our different tastes and personalities allow for each of us to find value in different things…..a wonderful gift we’ve been given.
See the gourd page for the lovingly created results....
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