Welcome the long hot days of July!

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

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

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!

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.

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!

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!

 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