Hello My Lavender Loving Friends, It’s time for an update on our 2019 Lavender Season. There’s no easy way to say this so here goes. Mother Nature has not been kind to us. As you know, lavender likes it dry, sunny and warm. Sadly, we've been in a very wet pattern with record breaking rains which started last year. Followed by a wet and icy winter with fluctuating temps. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, the wet and cool spring has taken a toll on our already struggling lavender. Our Royal Velvet (English) is greening up nicely and are starting to send up spikes.
Our Folgate (English) are also greening up but as you can see they’re not doing as well as the Royal Velvet. Our Hidcote and Munstead (English) are also struggling.
Now for the really hard part. Most of our French Lavenders have severe winter damage and it appears we may have lost most of them. I have been spending most of my time out in the field pruning and in some cases cutting back dead branches. While some are showing signs of life, most are not. We are praying for a good long stretch of sunshine and warm temps but it may be too late for most of our plants.
So, what does this mean? Sadly, it means that we won’t be able to enjoy the beautiful and fragrant blooms we have in the past. It means, there will most likely be very little lavender to harvest. My heart is broken. Jim and I work so hard to create and maintain this stunning addition to our already beautiful property that we enjoy sharing with you. We love that our lavender brings joy to so many of you and hate the idea of disappointing you. For this reason, we have decided to replant. Sourcing lavender plants this late in the season is difficult so we may not be able to plant until next season. The good news is that we will continue to be open so that you may come and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Our shop is stocked with all our best-selling lavender products as well as some lovely home décor and accessories. We hope that you will continue to support us as you have in the past. For those of you who have yet to visit us, please don’t let this stop you. We know the reason you want to visit is to see the lavender in bloom. But, trust me when I tell you that the lavender field is just a fraction of what makes our property so special. It truly is an oasis with a calming and soothing energy you’ll sense from the moment you drive onto the property. We will continue to monitor the lavender and update you in the coming weeks.
I have reached out to the hosts of our Upcoming Events to explain the situation with our lavender field. I am elated to share that they will all be here as planned and for that I am profoundly grateful. Below is a list, but you can find full details on the Upcoming Events Page of our website. Please support these amazing women by registering for or by liking and sharing their events. 5/31 Wine & Sign 6/17 Meditation For Community with Mary Moses E-RYT 6/21 Reiki At Orchard View Lavender Farm 6/23 Midsummer Rejuvenation Event 6/28 Lavender Lunar Yoga - SOLD OUT 6/29 Sunset At The Lavender Farm - SOLD OUT 7/12 Summer Blooms - Flower Arrangement Class 7/13 Yin Yoga in the Lavender Field 7/15 Meditation For Community with Mary Moses E-RYT 7/19 Plein Air Watercolor Painting Event 7/20 Create & Sip 8/12 Meditation For Community with Mary Moses E-RYT 9/6 Day Retreat with Mary Moses E-RYT 9/16 Meditation For Community with Mary Moses E-RYT 9/21 Farm To Table Dinner
Lavender is a crop like any other crop. And, like all farmers, we are at the mercy of Mother Nature. So, while this is a huge disappointment, I'm choosing to focus on the positive. This little lavender farm of ours has been a true labor of love... some days more labor than love HA!! We have been blessed with four wonderful years which we are so grateful for and look forward to many more. In that short time we have learned many lessons and have experienced great joy. We've been fortunate enough to connect with so many wonderful people which would never have been possible had it not been for the farm. So, from the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU for being part of our journey. Hope to see you soon, Jim & Monica
https://www.orchardviewlavenderfarm.com/so/baMhcnq9s#/main