Lavender Fields Farm

Welcome the long hot days of July!

2011-07-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe 4th of July.
Things have been heating up at the farm, the temp's have been in the 90's everyday, but that isn't holding us back.
We have been busy fluffing, harvesting and adding new attractions.
In June our student intern; Christian, arrived. Christian plans to spend six weeks with us learning the in's and out's of a working lavender farm. Eventually, Christian plans to own and operate his own nursery specializing in tropical plants.
Here at the farm we've also been busy working to better the "secret trail". Over the holiday weekend we added a homemade tree swing (very fun, tried it myself) and today Linda finally hung a sign pointing you in that direction! The sign is very cool, it points you towards the short or long trail of the "secret trail". Let me know which you like better?!
So the heat can't beat us down, we're still staying very busy.

Next week, I hope to show you a special project Christian is working on, a Rain Garden. The project is based on the idea of storm water management to help reduce erosion, flooding, and pollution associated with excessive amounts of runoff.
So more on that next week!
See you then,
Heather

IN BLOOM AND BUZZING BEES

2011-06-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

I just took my best picture ever, at least I think so! More on the picture in a minute.
Lavender Fields Farm has been a-buzz with activity. First, let me announce to the world and all those concerned that Yes, the lavender is in bloom! Hidcote, Munstead, you name it, if it's English Lavender its blooming and we have it!
Our English varieties of lavender have finally burst open and boy is it a sight to be seen! It's amazing, each year the plants emerge from a winters sleep looking all sad and gray and with just a few weeks of warm temps and sunshine they turn into the most beautiful plants on the planet. (plus, they smell heavenly)

So, warm temps and great sunshine make a happy lavender field and a happy blooming fields means happy buzzing bees. (this is were my great pic comes in) Here at the Lavender Fields Farm we have 8 happy and thriving beehives. Sadly, I don't know the total amount of Lavender Honey the bees produced last year but I would imagine it was.... Gosh, I can't even guess but I'll ask the Boss! Keep in mind, our bees make the best lavender honey around and when its in stock it goes fast!
So on to my great pic.

Pretty nice!?

English Lavender Hidcote (lavandula angustifolia)

Also English lavender, yes, it comes in many colors.

I've had many visitors ask questions on when and how to harvest, we'll talk about that next time.

Enjoy,

Heather

Welcome to Lavender Fields Farm Delaware 2011

2011-05-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a safe and warm winter.  I'm happy to say winter is long gone and many of you are already in the fast lane headed towards summer! Yes, it's been awhile for a post here on the blog but the season has started and I'm ready, are you?   Full steam-a-head!

The Lavender Ladies have been very busy with many new additions to the "Farm". We can happily say we're on track towards being "off the grid". SOLAR PANELS! Yea! Kudos to the Ladies for making that decision!  The Solar panels were added to the roof of the gift shop, I was very suprised at how quickly they were installed. Nice job fella's!
You'll notice that we've updated many of the gardens. Last fall we divided bulbs, dug up perennials and transplanted them throughout several gardens.  Carl has spent many an hour mulching, sorry Carl the truck is coming next week with more mulch!  (the gardens are gorgeous!) Finally, one of the biggest events this spring was the instillation of the new septic field. For those of you that have visited Lavender Fields Farm you'll know that the number one question is... "When are you putting in your Tea Room?"  Well, I think this is a giant baby step towards that goal.  Horaay, right?!

So lets get to some pictures.

Before (well, actually in the process)

After. Looks pretty nifty and energy efficient too!

One of the front gardens

The gift shop has a whole new look.

Lavender Bug-away is in stock!

Lavender Fields Farm at Warringtion Manor is open daily 10am-4pm

18864 Coolspring Rd

Milton, De. 19968

(302) 684-1514

Hurry up, here comes the first frost!

2010-11-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Everyone has been enjoying this wonderful weather but sadly I (we) knew it was bound to get cool. Cool weather means slower days at Lavender Fields Farm. We closed out the month of October by announcing that store will be closed during the week but will remain opened on the weekends (10-4) thru Christmas. I'm crossing my fingers that the first week or two of November is warm and rain free. (I'd like to squeeze in a few more weeks of wearing shorts to work).
Here at Lavender Fields Farm we have been very busy closing things up, I've talked quite a bit about taking cuttings and moving plants into the greenhouse. I'm happy to announce... all the cuttings have been taken and are now happily resting in the greenhouse. Hurray! (I will keep you up to date on their progress)
All the lavender plants in the fields have had a haircut (so to speak), remember, cut back by 1/3 now and in the spring your lavender will be healthier, longer lived and be more productive. Aahh, a wave of purple in the spring, can't wait!!!
So here are a couple pics...

Carl cutting back the french lavender

I was lucky enough to get a few pictures of these beautiful dahlias, within the week they succumbed to the first frost.

Betty and Jo enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.

Well...I'd like to say that's a wrap but... Now's time to move this operation inside!

Hear from me soon,

Heather

F.Y.I. I'm still around, so feel free to e-mail any questions or comments.

2010-10-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

October is my all-time favorite month. It's a perfect month. What's not to love? The weather is fantastic. You can actually be outside and (comfortably) get things done! October is a month chockful of beautiful colors. The leaves are slowly changing fiery orange, flaming red, yellow... and yet the garden is still as green as can be. Here at Lavender Fields Farm we still have tons of blooming Dahlias, zinnias, buddelia, echinacea, shasta daisy's... It's a fairly long list, just come visit me and we can go for a walk!

And yes, we still have potted Lavender for sale! Now is a great (perfect) time to plant. English or French the choice is yours. Don't let all the goodness of October pass you by.

Come visit us here at Lavender Fields Farm, we're open daily 10 am til 4 pm thru October. Then weekends til Xmas.

English and French Lavender

Hurry south my friend the nights are getting cold!

October... What a Perfect month!

Hear from me soon,

Heather ;)

Come visit us here at Lavender Fields Farm, we are open daily 10 am til 4 pm thru October.

Week 26 Pretty Amazing!

2010-09-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

Full speed ahead!
We've come along way since my Week 1 post and even though we have 26 weeks under our belt I'm happy to say there is so much more to come here at Lavender Fields Farm. The season isn't over yet and if you haven't noticed I've added the Lavender Fields Farm calender to the sidebar. (I'm still trying to work out a few gliches and hope to add more events) The calender will list the dates and times of events and activities here at the Lavender Farm and also events in and around the area.

Now on to a question that comes up quite a bit...
The Labryinth!
The Lavender Fields Labyrinth is an exact duplicate of the Labyrinth embedded in the floor of the Cathedral of Chartres (Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral). The Chartres Cathedral is located about 80 km from Paris and was dedicated on October 24, 1260. It has eleven circuits, is 42 feet in diameter and a ½ mile journey to walk both in and out. Built in 2008, the arbor is encased in a lovely lavender colored Wisteria. When you enter through the arbor you will see that the labryinth is surrounded by a beautiful green fence of Cryptomeria and a lowerer planting of Hidcote lavender. The Lavender Fields Labryinth is a wonderful journey not to be missed!
You can read more here: http://lavenderfieldsde.com/labyrinth.html

Now on to big business here at Lavender Fields Farm... Taking Cuttings!
Spring and Fall are the best time to propogate lavender and we've been very busy taking cuttings. There are alot of new "babies", just about 5000, waiting to be placed in the greenhouse for the winter.

Both English and French Lavender

Don't they look GREAT!

Here's Carl trying to finish up, today he was working on Jean Davis and Royal Velvet lavender.

You Go Carl!

This week we should be finishing up with the cuttings.

Next week, we should be moving on to the final harvest of the season!

Hidcote is in its second bloom and looks fabulous! Hurry out so you don't miss it. (You still have time it takes several weeks to harvest).

Next week I hope to show you pic's of our new butterfly and bee garden.

A Perfect Start for September!

2010-09-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

Oh Wonderful September... Cool temps, the kids are back to school, the days are still long, and it's the perfect time to visit us at Lavender Fields Farm.

We've been full steam ahead with propagating, "our little guys", all 5000 of them will spend the next several weeks in their little starter pots before they're potted-up and moved into the greenhouse for the winter.  It takes a few weeks of propagating in order to get the many varieties that we sell here at Lavender Fields. It's a long process but it's exciting to seem them slowly green up and take root!
If your thinking of doing some cuttings of your own, keep in mind that the best time to take a cutting is early in the morning when the plant is fresh and full of moisture. September is a great time for this because your lavender should be putting off some nice new (and green) growth and there is nothing liking the morning dew to wet (soak) the toes of your shoes!

With the start of September we were happy to welcome The Delaware Master Gardenders to Lavender Fields Farm.  Mother Nature was very accommodating, the weather was per-fect-o! Marie Mayor planned a perfect evening.
Our visitors were directed to the Barn where owner Mary Ann Etu, a home economist had a lovely sampling of lavender inspired hors-d'oeuvres and beverages, (both lemonade and "adult beverages").  While in the Barn, visitors could view paintings done by the Delaware Shore Artist Group. The paintings are for sale and will be on exhibit throughout the month.

Shortly after, members shuffled off to visit with the "Dahlia Lady". Judy Knight, a member of the National Capital Area Dahlia Society, was on hand to discuss the more that 50 types of dahlias growing in the dahlia garden.

Members of the Master Gardeners explored the farm, and of course, quickly found a spot to hear Sharon Harris discuss the history of Lavender Fields Farm. What a perfect evening!

And... What a Wonderful start to September! Cool temps, the kids are back to school, the days are still long, and it's the perfect time to visit us at Lavender Fields Farm!

Hope to see you soon!

Heather

2010-08-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Trust me, it isn't hard to find Lavender Fields Farm but if your unfamiliar with the area it could be a little confusing. Cool Spring Road runs north and south across Route 9, unfortunately, many visitors turn north onto the wrong side of Cool Spring Road. If your like me, give me a landmark and I can find my way to the moon. Sadly, Route 9 is lacking in decent landmarks other than the train tracks and a faded piece of purple fabric that when travelling at 50 mph are easily missed.

Well, miss us no more! Look what the D.O.T put up last week!!

Now, whether you travel east or west on Route 9 you will definately be able to see our new blue and purple signs with the Lavender Fields Farm logo. It's been a long time coming but they're finally here. Hopefully, you will be too!

Heather

Bats, Birds, Bees and Butterflies!

2010-08-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Betty's Backyard!

When you come for a visit to Lavender Fields Farm you absolutely must stop and say hello to Betty. Betty's Backyard is new to Lavender Fields Farm and has been a huge hit with nature lovers of all kinds. Like the sign says, Betty caters to the backyard nature enthusiast. Looking for bird seed, well Betty offers a wide array of Wild bird seed that has been specifically blended for Northeastern birds. Betty has made it very easy for the home enthusiast to attrack all types of bird into the backyard with custom-built bird houses (built locally right here in Sussex County, Delaware). If your interested in attracting butterflies, bees or hummingbirds, Betty also sells many decorative feeders for our smaller winged friends.

Hi Betty!

A quick peak into Betty's store. Betty sells an assortment of specialty gifts and decor for the garden and home. If you have a group of 5 or more friends, make sure to sign-up for one of Betty's popular Backyard Birding Lectures!

Betty is open daily 10-4.

Thanks Betty, it was fun!

Wow, What a week!

2010-07-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

What a hurried week it's been with so much going on and no time to get it all done. I'm sure you've all been there! Surprises around all corners, all week! We had a wonderful group visit us from the beautiful water front community of Ocean Pines, Md. I absolutely love it there! Nice quite neighborhood, lots of pools, great yacht club and great golf course, if you're a golfer. (Yes, golf is on my "Bucket List")

Look, I caught Sharon off guard! Funny!!!

Owner Maria Mayer, with friends who were visiting from Mexico City and Washington D.C.

Imagine my surprise when I heard Kevin Fleming was in our gardens! Whew, I ran as fast as I could for my cheap little Walmart camera. Kevin Fleming is a local Delawarean who has photographed the "World". You can read more about Kevin Fleming here http://www.kevinfleming.com/about/

Mr Fleming spent the morning photographing the wildlife around Lavender Fields Farm. I caught Mr Fleming here, photographing butterflies in one of our perrenial gardens. The Crepe Mrytle in this garden is always filled with a huge varieties of butterflies. I hope they're cooperating!

I thought it best to ask if I could take his pic, sadly, my camera is nothing compared to his and this is the best of the 20 or so shots I took. Kevin had his lovely assistant Autumn helping him throughout the day.

I'm very excited to see what comes of the day Kevin Fleming spent at Lavender Fields Farm! Hmmm... maybe Lavender Fields Farm will be in an upcoming book?!

Oh, and I've decided to start saving for a new camera, Mr Fleming said my camera was a tad bit slow!

Hear from me soon!

Heather

Visit from the Master Gardenders

2010-07-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Just a quick bleep on the Lavender Fields Farm radar this morning. I want to post a quick thank you to the Queen Annes County, MD. Chapter of Master Gardeners. With over a hundred members, we were very happy to have 20 memers of their group visit us yesterday for lunch and a tour of the Lavender Fields Farm.

Thank you for braving the heat and humidity! We hope to see you again soon.

Heather @ LFF

2010-07-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Working outside you have to be aware of and plan for the weather. A hot and sunny day at Lavender Fields means extra water and sunscreen, a cool and breezy day, I'm pulling out the long sleeves and my to-go cup filled to the brim with piping hot coffee (can't wait for fall). Now rain... that's a whole 'nother story. When it rains I'm lucky enough to sit at home in my studio with Rosie our dog, a pot of coffee, and CNN, and still be able to contribute to the success of the farm.

In the Lavender Fields Cottage store almost all of the products for sale are handmade by local crafts people (actually, I can't think of any that aren't!). Our amazingly talented group of crafts people transform the lavender that is grown and harvested right here on the farm into the products sold in the store; lavender soaps, lavender lotions, lavender bug away, (keeps away the bugs) culinary items, jams and jellies, sachets, moth-away, eye pillows, neck wraps the list goes on...

Back to the weather... All week the weatherman has been predicting rain and severe thunderstorms for the early morning and afternoon hours (when I'm at the farm) across all of Southern Delaware. I hate not having a plan, so with the impending rain I've channeled my creative spirit and plan sit at the sewing machine until the sun comes back out. Sadly, the weatherman was a little of the mark, most of the rain has fallen late in the afternoon and evening hours, but not all is lost. For two days I've been able to sit quietly (the kids are at camp) and create!

Soon to be lavender filled shoe-stuffers. I start by embroidering strips of crisp white cotton.

Each piece is then hand-cut and pinned together.

Each one is filled with our dried lavender, I add a ribbon, it's sewn shut and then ready to be sold in the Cottage store.

I've also been working on lavender filled satchets.

Depending on the weather, I may get more of these done tomorrow?!

Hope to see you soon!

Heather

An Accidental Garden?

2010-07-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here at Lavender Fields Farm you expect and want to see lavender! Come for a visit and you'll see 5 acres of lavender in perfectly planted rows. We have over 36 varieities of lavender here at the farm. If you time your visit just right you can walk the fields in bloom and see hundreds of bees buzzing from plant to plant. You can walk past a shady grove of trees and enter the labyrinth that is surrounded by english lavender. Lavender Fields also has several raised gardens that contain wonderfully scented herb such as basil, rosemary, thyme and a wide variety of mints. Last year we added a huge vegetable garden at the far end of the property and I'm happy to say, it's already overflowing with cucumbers, tomatoes, squash and various hot peppers. We also have a perennial garden and a gorgeous red rose garden.

Those are all things you should plan on and expect to see when you visit us here at Lavender Fields but that's not all we have. Today, while weeding, I discovered a completly unexpected and unplanned garden growing in the rose garden.

Sunflowers, thanks to a birdbath that was once filled with birdseed!

One yellow rose shining brightly in a whole bed of red roses!

And my biggest surprise, finding lavender growing where it was never planted! Hmmm... seeds fallen from a lavender plant?!

Along with the all wonderful things you expect to see when you visit Lavender Fields Farm you can now stop and see our newest addition; "An accidental garden".

See ya next time,

Heather

Next week ask me about Eloise!

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Week 13 Time to harvest the lavender

2010-06-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

How Beautiful is that?!

So I thought, before the day gets too hot we could talk about harvesting that beautiful lavender you have growing in your garden. Here at Lavender Fields, the lavender has been blooming for several weeks and it is finally at the point were it needs to be harvested. Why harvest you may ask? Well... We harvest both the english and french lavender for use in the products that are sold in the Lavender Fields Cottage store. Ok, you may not be making hundreds of eye pillows or a thousand bars of lavender infused soap but for the sake of your lavender make sure you harvest your lavender flowers. Here's why: Harvesting your lavender plant by 1/3 helps to encourage new growth (next year, more flowers/bigger plant). When you harvest your lavender flowers you are helping to maintain the proper shape. A properly shaped lavender plant is less likely to become woody or crack in the middle. Harvested lavender lives a longer healthier life. And finally, if you harvest your lavender you may be lucky enough to get a second bloom, especially with an English variety like Hidcote. So lets harvest those plants!

Disclaimer: For the sake of the pictures we will actually be harvesting Super a french variety, it has nice long stems which will make it easier to see what is being done.

Grab a bundle of flowers and set your huge sharp cutting thing (scary, huh?!) at the base of the stems and cut. (Carl is a great hand model!)

Make your way around the entire plant. (be careful of your fingers Carl!)

Almost done!

Finished at last!

Notice Carl left about two inches of green all around.

Bundled, tied and ready to hang in the drying barn.

So there you have it, lavender harvesting made easy!

Thanks Carl!

'Til next week!

Heather

Week 12 Dinner in Provence!

2010-06-17T17:22:00.000-07:00

One of the top bids at the Annual Milton Historical Society Auction last fall was for a Provence style dinner at Lavender Fields Farm. The winners chose Friday, June 11 for their party. It was a beautiful night - the al fresco dining was adjacent to rows of Jean Davis, Provence, Munstead and Hidcote lavender - all in bloom. Tea lights illuminated a tent well into the night. Linens and china purchased in Avignon and Quimper France adorned the table. The meal was prepared by members of the Milton Historical Society, all of whom have stayed in Provence. Each of the five courses (see the menu) was paired with an appropriate French Reims or Epernay champagne or a wine (a star was a 2007 gigondas) from vineyards in southern France. The dining experience also included pre- and post-chauffeuring.

What a wonderful evening!

Thank you Marie Mayor for being our guest blogger!!!

Week 11 Lavender Fields Farm Beekeeping with Nancy!

2010-06-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

When visitors come to Lavender Fields Farm in Milton Delaware, I'm often asked, "How in the world did you ever get involved in farming lavender?" (I'll save that story for another day!) I think, whenever we meet people with interesting job or hobbies we can't help but wonder how it came to be.

That was my first question to our Lavender Fields Farm beekeeper, Nancy Goggin. How in the world did you ever get involved in beekeeping? Previously a teacher of Environmental studies, Nancy and a class of 10th grade students decided to do a project on beekeeping. From that class project, Nancy entered into one of the most fascinating and beneficial hobbies ever!

Nancy maintains 11 hives, 6 of which are at Lavender Fields Farm. At the Lavender Fields Farm, each hive contains 60,000 bees, remember, we have 6 hives, that's alot of bees! A standard hive consists of 2 boxes, as the bees start to produce honey you add a "super" (a removable upper story of a beehive) to the top to capture the nectar flow. Nancy tells me that the bees at Lavender Fields are living large! Because the lavender grown in our fields is constantly in bloom we are able to supply a very long season of nectar flow. First, the english lavender at Lavender Fields Farm blooms and fades, followed by the french lavender. Nancy has taken 120 pounds of lavender honey already this season and today plans to take 30 pounds more. No, the bees and honey are not purple and I'm not sure if the bees smell like lavender. (I'll have to admit I've not been close enough to get a good whiff!)

Opening up the Super

(notice the warning sign, ouch!)

Don't be fooled, I'm very far from the bee area!

Looks good?!

Any tips or advice? Nancy believes the best way to start your beekeeping journey is to hook up with your local Beekeeping Association. Delaware Beekeepers Association Nancy was lucky enough to find a willing and helpful mentor and credits him with all of her sucess in this fascinating hobby. Last but not least, my favorite bit of advice... When beekeeping do not wear black, why you may ask? If you wear black the bees will think your a bear. How funny is that? (I bet its pretty hard to out run an angry swarm of bees even for a bear!)

Thanks Nancy!

Week 12... Stay tuned!

Week 10 Time to Propagate the Lavender

2010-06-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

Let's get right down to the business of propagating some lavender! Time is short, we're expecting a huge thunderstorm and I'm under strict orders to shut down the computer at the first signs of lightening and since the dog is laying on my feet under the desk (nervous nellie) I'm sure we can expect it to start any minute!

Why propagate Lavender?
1. You have an older/overgrown/woody plant you love and you would like to replace it with the same type but you can't remember what it is.
2. You want to add to what you have, remember more is better, there's nothing like a wave of purple!
3. You just want to see if you can do it! Well, you can it's very easy!

There are many ways to take "cuttings", I am going to explain what we do here at Lavender Fields Farm. We take what is called a softwood cutting in the spring or early fall from new growth on an existing plant. It isn't really cutting the plant but actually taking a "heel" or peeling away a piece.
The key to sucess: take from a healthy non-flowering plant, moisture (moist not soaking, soggy wet soil), humidity (we have plenty of that this week), don't park your cutting in the sun while you wait for roots to appear.

OK, the thunder is coming so lets get started!
First, get your pots ready. Add dirt and then water your pot. With a pencil poke a hole in the center.
Next, find a nice healthy non-flowering plant with some decent new growth. Remember, propagating produces an exact duplicate of the plant from which it comes.

Grab your rooting hormone, we use the powdered stuff from Lowes.

Now just follow my handy dandy pics!

Here is my healthy non-flowering plant.

I removed the lower leaves.

See the rooting hormone in the upper left corner?

What you see here is where I removed the "heel" from the nice healthy non-flowering plant. It's possible to get quite a few "cuttings" this single branch. I actually took 8 from this tiny branch. You would want to remove straight from the plant itself, this poor branch was sacrificed so I wouldn't have to sit in the sun and take the pictures. (it was laying in between the rows, close to the mow area!) And finally, don't forget to keep your cutting moist not soaked and don't leave it in the burning sun!

So there you have it! In 6-8 weeks (give or take) you will have an exact duplicate of your favorite and most treasured lavender plant.

Next week lets go visit the Bees!

Heather

Week 9 Our First Big Group!

2010-05-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

"Our First Big Group" is a bit of a misnomer. On Wednesday Lavender Fields Farm happily welcomed two wonderful groups that just happened to be scheduled on the same day and time! Our first group, friends for more than fifty years, the Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority traveled all the way from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to have lunch and tour the lavender farm and our (in bloom) english lavender. Shortly after, the lovely ladies of Sprig and Twig, a gardening group of 36 ladies based in Dover, Delaware arrived just in time to find a seat before Sharon started her "talk".

Nice hat Sharon!

After a brief talk about lavender and the history of Lavender Fields Farm the ladies from the Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority enjoyed a nice lunch on the covered front porch of Warrington Manor.

It was such a wonderful day, after lunch both groups visited our cottage store, bought quite a few of the potted lavender plants that we have for sale and many of the handmade items we sell in the store.

Thank you ladies, We'd love to see you again soon!

Next week: Lets learn how to Propagate Lavender!

See ya then,

Heather :)

Week 8 A Talk from Sharon

2010-05-22T06:19:00.000-07:00

The month of May is almost over but for Lavender Fields Farm it's just the beginining for what seems to be a busy season.

On Friday we welcomed "The Wharf Rats of Cambridge". This small group of friends share a passion for sailing and live in the town of Cambridge, Maryland located on Marylands beautiful Eastern Shore. After a recent visit to the Lavender Fields Farm store in the Easton Market Square one of the "Wharf Rats" decided to organize the group for a day trip and luncheon at The Lavender Farm.

Sharon and the "Wharf Rats".

Learning how to care for English Lavender.

English Lavender--Hidcote the first to bloom!

English Lavender growing next to the Cottage store.

We would like to thank the "Wharf Rats of Cambridge", it was wonderful having them visit us here at Lavender Fields Farm. We hope to see them again soon!

Week 7- Finally!

2010-05-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

It hasn't been very easy tracking down the most famous guy at Lavender Fields Farm! Mickey is a huge draw, the ladies love 'im and he loves the ladies. I've been trying for weeks to get a pic but Mickey's been dodging me, well... hide no more Mr. Mickey, I finally caught you.

Avoiding eye contact, oh please!

He's acting like he's upset with me?!?

Ok, I get it, maybe playing hard to get works with some of the ladies but I'll get you in a good more one of these days!

Enjoy!

Week 6

2010-05-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

A post or two ago I mentioned Mickey the cat, well... he has been very elusive. Must be the time of year, I'm finding it very difficult to catch up/get in touch with alot of people (and cats). He can't hide forever, sooner or later I will post his pic.

Mickey aside, things are banging along here at Lavender Fields Farm. Sharon has just about finished repotting all of the lavender cuttings that were taken in the fall, 5000 little baby lavender plants I'd say thats alot. Job well done!

We have a few weeks until the English Lavender starts to bloom but there is still plenty to see here at Lavender Fields Farm. As I mentioned last week the iris beds are all a-bloom. The irises are so lovely, here at the farm there are three different iris beds each with a variety of colors.

Irises and in the back left is the Dahlia bed, oh my, just wait 'til that starts blooming!!!

Irises aren't they wonderful?!

Enjoy!

Heather

Week 5 Lavender Fields Farm opens for the season!

2010-04-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Lavender Fields Farm is now open daily from 10am-4pm.

Saturday is the 1st of May and we all know what that means! For Lavender Fields Farm at Warrington Manor that means Opening Day, so to speak.

This gorgeous iris bed is the first thing you'll seeing when you arrive at the Lavender Fields Farm. As you travel up the driveway you'll be greated by hundreds of potted lavender plants. All of the potted plants are for sale and there are tons to choose from. We have several varieties of both English lavender and French Lavender. A few of the more popular ones are Hidcote, Lady, Provence, White Provence, Fat Spike, Munstead, and Dutch. I could go on and on but come out and see us and we'll help you find one to suit your garden perfectly!

Happy May 1st!

Come out and see us at Lavender Fields Farm

We're open daily 10-4

See ya soon,

Heather

Week 4 The Wisteria is in Bloom!!!

2010-04-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

Lavender Fields Farm at Warrington Manor isn't just a Lavender Farm there is so much more to see and enjoy. Everyone that knows and loves the Lavender Farm has a favorite "thing". For instance, we have several ladies that come out to the lavender farm just to visit the cats. (Next week we'll talk cats, but let me just say, when I die I would like to come back as a cat!)
OK, back to favorites, everyone has one. Some people visit for the vegetable garden others for the Herb Gardens. Many people come to sit and relax in the shade underneath the Grove. But, generally if you ask someone what their favorite thing at Lavender Fields Farm is they will quickly answer The Labyrinth.
The Lavender Fields Labyrinth is an exact duplicate of the Labyrinth embedded in the floor of the Cathedral of Chartres (Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral). The Chartres Cathedral is located about 80 km from Paris and was dedicated on October 24, 1260. It has eleven circuits, is 42 feet in diameter and a ½ mile journey to walk both in and out.
At this time of year the french lavender that surrounds the labyrinth isn't in bloom but... the wisteria is blooming enmasse and is beautiful!

I would imagine the wisteria will quickly become one of the many favorite things to visit here at Lavender Fields Farm at Warrington Manor in beautiful Southern Delaware!

Hope to see you soon!
Heather

Lavender Fields Farms opens store in Easton!

2010-04-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

So we've made it to Friday, the end of week 3 here at Lavender Fields Farm. Hooray! Everyone has been pitching in to get things ready for the May 1st opening of the Lavender Fields Farm at Warrington Manor. There really is a lot to do, mainly repotting of all the lavender cuttings (new plants) that were taken in the fall. The Lavender Ladies guestimate is close to 5000 baby lavender plants need to be repotted into bigger pots. Kudos to owners Sharon Harris and Marie Mayer who have done almost all the repotting in less than a week!

So with all that needs to be done here at Lavender Fields Farm in Milton, De., the Lavender Ladies have decided to expand, why not right?! Now you can find the Lavender Ladies at their new store in the Easton Market Square. Easton is a beautiful and historic town located on Marylands Eastern Shore.

The Lavender Fields Farm Cottage Store will be open at the Easton Market Square, this weekend April 17.

Owner Marianne Etu was busy this week at the Easton Market Square Store filling the shelves with all things Lavender. At the newly opened Cottage store you will find lavender plants, lavender soaps and lotions, lavender filled eye pillows and neckwraps... Hold on let me scroll down and see what else they have to offer... Oh my goodness, the culinary lavender, lavender jellies and jams, Lavender Herbs de Provence, I could go on and on.
Better yet, take a trip out to the Easton Market Square this weekend and stop in and say Hello!

Hope to see you this weekend!

Enjoy,

Heather