It’s been about a month since we finished planting the lavender and we were hoping to take it a little easier by just having to nip the buds off to help the roots develop and encourage new growth towards the base of the plant so that they don’t get too “leggy” BUT as we’ve been having August weather in June we’ve had to water more than expected! Our grass is already brown from all the hot and humid days and virtually no rain.
The lavender plants have been very brave however, the majority have endured the heat and a few “short back and sides” from me have helped them bush out quite nicely. We’ve been watering them about twice a week, giving them a good soaking and then leaving them for a few days as we don’t want to over water them but we don’t want them to dry out either.
Unfortunately we’ve lost approximately 22% of the shipment of plants from Washington state. I think the plants probably got too stressed with the week long journey, having to wait at least 2 weeks before they could get in the ground and then with the weather, it’s not been the best of conditions. I was however lucky to find Carousel Lavender Farm in Bucks County, just a 2 hour drive away, who happened to have several Grosso lavender plants in 4″ pots so I asked if 60 could be put aside for me and took a road trip. Niko, the owner/operator of Carousel could not have been nicer and his plants looked so healthy with excellent root development. He gave me some great tips and advice and let us wander around his farm which is so wonderful and relaxing.
The new plants are now in the ground and appear to be doing fine. I still have a few holes to fill, 60 wasn’t quite enough, but I’ll hopefully be able to take cuttings and propagate to fill in the gaps.
So while we wait for the lavender to grow I thought I would post some photos of my products.
I handcraft all my own products using 100% pure lavender essential oil and the best ingredients and fabrics. In order to ensure quality, freshness and uniqueness I only create small batches of each product. These range from lavender sachets, pillows, hand and body lotion to dog grooming gloves and dog shampoo.
This first photo is of some of my pillows, the two smaller ones are filled with organic flax (which may be heated for warm therapy), and the larger pillow is filled with organic buckwheat hulls (which provide great support) and all contain plenty of super clean lavender, the little hearts just contain lavender. There is no fiberfill!
Covers are removable for washing and are made from various fabrics including organic cotton, bamboo and cotton, and fleece.
The items to the left include lavender liquid soap in a foamer-bottle along with a bottle of concentrate which will refill the foamer-bottle several times (foamer bottles are extremely efficient and save on waste) and a crocheted organic cotton wash cloth; lavender, aloe & shea hand and body cream which is very rich and creamy and is available in 4 oz and 1 oz jars; lavender body/room/linen spray; lavender massage oil, 100% pure lavender essential oil (this comes with a leaflet on 16 things to do with the oil); culinary lavender….my all time favorite is lavender waffles with a lemon sauce and of course lavender & honey truffles which I make quite regularly and are de-lish, even if I do say so myself!
I also make several pet products. Lavender is great for dogs as it can help deter ticks and fleas, is calming and makes a dog and their bed smell nice!
My dog products include a lavender hypoallergenic dog shampoo; a dog grooming glove containing a removable pillow filled with lavender and organic flax; a refillable, adjustable lavender dog bandana (the bandana and glove are available in blue or red).
As essential oils can be harmful to cats I make a refillable catnip toy which contains organic, unprocessed catnip, also known as kitty hooch.
And finally something for everyone, dogs and humans, an all natural bug spray containing a blend of several essential oils which biting bugs don’t like.
My products are currently available at Stargazers Winery which is open weekends 12-5pm (wine tastings also available, $5 for 5 samples), Kennett Square Farmers Market on first fridays 2-6pm on State Street and I will be at various craft fairs and shows in the area. If there’s something lavender you’d like feel free to contact me, I can ship to anywhere and can now take credit cards via PayPal on the internet.
Lavender wands have been used for centuries as a decorative way to carry the scent of lavender. They can be hung near windows where the breeze will carry the aroma throughout a room and help repel insects. They can be placed between linens to impart their sleep-inducing scent or hung on chairs, lamps, door knobs or bedsteads.
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