If you say the word "July" to any member of our staff, they will imagine a sea of purple flowers and barn wood. An inside look at Lavender U-Pick 2024 shines light on the harvest festival that runs for approximately three weeks straight, open to the public from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with a 20-person fresh lavender wreath-making class from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm each evening. A typical day for our staff includes rising with the sun to harvest buckets of lavender, baking hundreds of lavender shortbread cookies, keeping our handmade artisanal products stocked in our barn store, directing and educating guests, wrapping fresh-picked lavender bundles in purple tissue paper and twine, and pouring freshly mixed lavender mocktails for visitors.
The day begins at the call of our rooster, Hazel Jr., and the creaking of weathered barn doors, revealing a twinkling and fragrant barn store. Over 40 different handmade lavender-infused products line shelves, fill baskets, jars, and various displays. Products range from infused olive oils and simple syrups to bath soaks and natural deodorants. After everything is properly stocked, arranged, and illuminated, the barn store is ready to welcome hundreds of guests each day with the help of our two dedicated retail assistants.
That's not all that happens in the barn, though. On the other side, tucked away, is the Zen Bar. This is where our Lavender Simple Syrup shines, paired with various fruit juices, nectars, seltzers, botanical infusions, and fruit garnishes. Cranberry-Rosemary, Blueberry-Lemon, and Peach have become our top three flavors, enjoyed at a barstool as a refreshing and peaceful haven from the beaming July heat outside. The Zen Bar is a great opportunity for us to connect with guests as they cool down and showcase our Lavender Simple Syrup and Blueberry Lavender Drink Mixer.
The real magic, however, happens outside the barn among our 10,000 lavender plants (and growing!). Our first U-Pick event happened in 2020 when the farm was made up of just 2,000 plants and a vision. Now, thousands of people help us complete our harvest each year. As guests selectively snip mature sprigs to add to their bundles, our staff starts from the top of the hill and works their way down with scythes, hand-harvesting full plants in just a few sweeping motions. We wear rubber bands on our wrists to bundle each handful of lavender as we go, then bring all the bundles upstairs to the barn loft, where they’re hung upside down in the eaves to dry.
To cool off from the sun, guests can visit the culinary camper for a refreshing treat. Homemade lavender shortbread cookies, lavender blueberry cupcakes, lavender ice cream, lavender strawberry sorbet, lavender jasmine boba tea, lavender lemonade, and lavender pineapple dole whip are just a few of the options available at our bright yellow vintage camper. Lavender lemonade is our most popular item, with staff pouring hundreds of cups daily!
After the U-Pick day ends, the "Open" sign is flipped, the camper cleaned up, and the tempo of the farm slows—but it doesn’t stop. Evening brings our nightly Fresh Lavender Wreath Class and Date Nights in the Field. Wreath classes were the first event to take place here at the farm, and Missy personally teaches about twenty guests per night how to make wire-wrapped fresh lavender wreaths. The lavender is collected in the early morning, when the essential oil content is highest, and stacked on burlap-covered tables in the back of the barn. As the class goes on, you’ll hear Missy’s voice softly echoing through the barn, now illuminated by twinkling lights as the sun sets. The happy chatter of guests weaving their wreaths and the clinking of glasses as they enjoy lavender snacks or beverages they’ve brought from home fills the air.
Meanwhile, five couples per night enjoy their own Private Date Nights in the lavender field. They arrive around 5:30 pm, where we meet them at the Zen Bar with picnic baskets prepared earlier in the day. We make them lavender mocktails, hand them their baskets, and send them on their way to choose a spot to settle in. Each basket includes two small bottles of champagne, a picnic blanket, two lavender-infused desserts, cutlery, and a charcuterie box made for two. Couples lounge among the fragrant, blooming lavender and watch the sunset.
In those hours, the sun sets on the horizon over the lavender fields, music carries in the fragarant air, and guests enjoy time to be at peace. Lavender Fields is an oasis for anyone who seeks it, and we are so happy to welcome our guests each and every year to experience the magic that happens on the hillside.
After our final guests leave, usually between 8:30 and 9:00 pm, the barn is swept of plant debris, products are put away, lights are turned off, and the barn doors creak shut for a few hours of stillness—until it's time to begin again the next morning, welcoming thousands of feet, happy conversations, and serene vibes.
If you are interested in our annual Lavender U-Pick, or any of our events, or would like to become a member of our team, subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of our page so that you never miss any exclusive events!
Comments