Gardening Tales

The Lavender Farm-My Life List

August 03, 2016
I think it might just be safe to say that most everyone likes Lavender in one form or another.

It could be in a sachet, in your tea, perhaps even a chocolate cake.

As for me, I adore lavender in my garden, tea, cake and truly most everything.

So as we began our mountain adventure two weeks ago we stopped over in Santa Fe

New Mexico for a few days and visited the Purple Adobe Lavender Farm.

Although it required a little backtracking into the tiny town of Abiauiu New Mexico, the 

extra travel time was well worth it.


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Walking among flowering lavender has been a dream of mine.

I suppose one could say it is on my life list.

As my husband and I strolled along the well kept rows of pungent, and humming lavender 

the experience was euphoric for me and I think the bees too.

In fact, if you look closely at this photo you will see one buzzing about!


Varieties of lavender, blooming lavender

There were at least a half of a dozen varieties thriving and blooming in this little valley 

nestled between mesas, where a gentle breeze blew and infused the air with the pungent 

aroma of lavender.


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It was a picture perfect day, including this young lady who was harvesting the lavender 

under the New Mexico Sun.

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The lavender was clipped, then gathered, bundled and secured with rubber bands.


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We visited with the owners of the lavender farm and were able to gather some tips and

techniques for growing our own lavender-although the conditions are not perfect here in  

Texas they are in Abiauiu.

You might find this video interesting as there has been so much thought and planning on the

development of this lavender farm.



For those of you who are growing your own lavender here are some pruning tips, just in 

time for Fall, as well as a general care guide.


lavender-french-fresh-farm-flowers-athomewithjemma

My husband and I shared a Delicious slice of lavender infused chocolate cake along with

lavender iced-tea.

We sipped and snacked on these delightful treats under a endless blue sky day 

in the cool shade of old cottonwood trees.


gardening-gardens-lavender-fields-flower-farming-athomewithjemma


It was a day well spent with good company, conversation and the natural beauty of nature.
These sort of days are the ones that make the best memories of all.

Thank you so much for joining me today as I share with you some of My Life List quests.

Also please be sure to enter the Coaxing Fall Giveaway!

xoxo




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Comments

  1. Those truly are sensational memories in the making. Why? Well for me, not only was the experience a visual feast, but you had some other intense senses being piqued: taste. You ate the day infused in lavender and CHOCOLATE, a great memory-maker! You smelled a perfume that is like on other. You felt the hot sun on you but an almost sweet feeling. You HEARD the buzzing of the bees.

    Our memories are composed of all the senses, but when more than one sense is acutely touched by such beauty, this memory will stay forever.

    Oh Jemma, there is nothing like lavender. AND...in my little opinion, these are some of your best photos. I love that photo of the chippy, aqua side table. LOVE! OH, I just sent you a photo and a link to a fabulous food Instagram that will take you to her blog for a recipe for lavender scones. UNBELIEVABLE!

    Much love to you dearest! ANita

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  2. I visited a lavender farm a year ago close to us and loved it. I know how you felt being there. I only tried growing some many years ago but didn't like how it looked when it came back in the spring. I didn't know anything about pruning and caring for it back then. I'll read your tip guide to see what I can learn from it. I picked up some little shortbread cookies with lavender when I visited and just loved them! I never knew what lavender could add flavor wise to food. I hope you brought home some of the beautiful lavender!

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  3. What a treat and lavender tea sounds wonderful. There i a lavender farm in Gainsville you may want to check out sometime. http://www.lavenderridgefarms.com/
    I was just sitting here thinking it would be neat to simply grow an herb farm. Enjoyed!

    Carole @ Garden Up Green

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  4. Oh what a wonderful stop on your trip! I have always planted lavender, but on a MUCH smaller level. We planted 17 years ago and the plants are still producing LOTS of lavender, but are not so pretty, and are very woody. I have beed tucking away my little farm stand money and will replant from Cape Cod Lavender Farm. You must have been consumed by the intoxicating aroma and beauty! xo

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  5. Hello Jemma, I love lavender too! What a wonderful visit to the Lavender Farm. The photos are just beautiful, I love the lavender with the mountains in the background. Thanks for sharing your visit. Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day!

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  6. We have lavender farms & festivals in the TX Hill Country! The dry conditions are perfect for some varieties. They don't like much water or attention. Boy are they beautiful! A few places offer U-pick, when there is a bumper crop!
    Pictures are spectacular! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  7. Jemma, what a nice visit! I have a slight obsession with lavender too. I would love to tour this farm though i would need a very large empty suitcase to take all my lavender goodies home with me. I wonder if they do online sales? I'll have to do some research. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! The video was very interesting and they seem like such a lovely couple! Glad you enjoyed your visit! Xo
    Linda

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  8. Jemma, what a nice visit! I have a slight obsession with lavender too. I would love to tour this farm though i would need a very large empty suitcase to take all my lavender goodies home with me. I wonder if they do online sales? I'll have to do some research. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! The video was very interesting and they seem like such a lovely couple! Glad you enjoyed your visit! Xo
    Linda

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  9. I love lavender, and have been fortunate to be able to grow and harvest it for over 10 years here in WV. Your trip looked and sounded wonderful!

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  10. Oh the lavender is simply beautiful isn't it? Wow...makes me just want to lay down in that field of lavender. They say that lavender soothes the spirit. The pictures are beautiful. I know you had a grand time. Have a good rest of the week my friend and I will see you when I return from being a BEACH BUM! Ha! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  11. Oh I can just smell it! I know there are lavender farms in the Texas Hill Country. I need to find them and go visit! I'd love to walk through them. Lucky you to have experienced it! Love your beautiful photos.
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  12. I love that this was something special on your life list.
    Your photography is just stunning.
    How pretty!

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  13. I didn't know about this lavender farm, Jemma. New Mexico is one of our family's favorite vacation spots, and we've been to Santa Fe a couple of times. Usually we spend our time further north in the Taos area. These photos are gorgeous, and I'm glad you enjoyed your visit to the area. I'll have to consider the lavender farm next time we go!

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  14. It must have smelled so good! Those big open fields of it are incredible!!

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  15. I have tried many times to grow lavender and it just doesn't like me. :) Thank you for sharing this part of your trip with all of us.

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  16. Looks like I will have to go back to Santa Fe. We didn't schedule in time for lavender on our quick trip this summer. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos.

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  17. Dear Jemma,
    Oh the lure of Lavenders purple haze - love it, it is in every single room of our house. It relaxes and calms in its rustic beauty. My favorite recipe is ever so simple with lavender buds - slice a fresh peach in half, brush with a little exvoo, sprinkle lavender buds on top, grill than drizzle with lavender honey. A taste that will always linger in your desires. Lovely post, my lovely friend.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  18. Oh, Jemma, just gorgeous!!! How blessed you are to have this experience with your husband!

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  19. Jemma, I can smell the lavender wafting in the New Mexico breeze. Your day sounds perfectly dreamy! Thank you for sharing the fields of lavender! I have certainly enjoyed my little garden spot of lavender. Happy Wednesday, Pam @ Everyday Living

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  20. Lavender farms are truly magical spaces... the smell, the view, the experience! You took such beautiful pics. Just this year I gave lavender a try with a tiny plant that is now growing nicely. Heading off to check your tips on how to take care of it.

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  21. That really is amazing! You know I would be in heaven! And it's on my list of places I would love to visit. A friend just got back from Hawaii and brought me a brochure from a lavender farm there. I'd be happy to visit any of them! Hugs, Diane

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  22. I love lavender. I have a bundle that I picked up in Sante Fe a few years ago. It looks like you had a wonderful day! It looks just gorgeous.

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  23. What a wonderful way to spend a day--a treat of a lifetime. I had lovely lavender plants at my last home but none here....sigh...there is always the next house. xo Diana

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  24. Wow, I would have loved to b on this trip. The scent had to be divine. I'v eaten lavender chicken and that's good too. Your tea and cake sounds great.
    I'm going back now to watch the growing tips. This was a fun post.

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  25. Jemma,
    Seeing lavender growing in the fields is such a beautiful sight and heavenly scent. Your photos are wonderful and made feel like I was in the midst of lavender.

    Judith

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  26. My allergies keep me far away from a lot of flowers and herbs (boo!), but I sure do like the color!!

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  27. I adore lavender its just beautiful and I could smell it all day long!! xo

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  28. Oh my, this is so beautiful! I would love it if you would hop over and share this post with us over at Totally Terrific Tuesday today, and if you would keep right on partying with us each week. It was such a pleasure to meet you at haven, hope to see you there again next year!

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  29. I love lavender and I'm happy that the deer and rabbits that frequent my yards don't seem to like to eat it, as they eat almost everything else. Lately little sparrows have been coming to eat the lavender seeds and i'm enjoying watching them flutter among the stalks.

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