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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 started in 2003 with 300 tiny plants. We planted Munstead and Hidcote varieties, both English lavender, which has a sweeter, more "perfume-like" fragrance than the hybrid Grosso or Provence. The plants are now mature and we sell the bundles of dry or fresh (depending on the time of year) at the Farmer's Market and assorted other craft fairs throughout the year.
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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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Our products are now available for sale.
You cannot order online, but please call!
We're happy to ship whatever you need. |
"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! You'll be glad you did! |
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