2016 Lavender Farm Plans!

It's midway through January 2016 and our plans for the lavender farm are in full swing.   Over the past year we've prayed, planned, worked, researched and finally have taken the leap of faith to construct a beautiful barn!!  Just ask Jayson, our patient and accommodating sales associate from Sand Creek Post and Beam and he would vouch for the number of revisions and questions we had during the creative phase of our dream.  September 11, 2015 the barn arrived and we have been watching as each week our dream becomes more and more of a reality!!

Our BIG plans are to OPEN our lavender farm to the public this spring!!!!  We are shooting for an official OPENING to be the first weekend in April!!  We hope to become a destination place where families can take in God's good gift of creation while learning about and experiencing the benefits of lavender.  Our minds swirl with anticipation as we think of great things to share with you all!!  We are very excited and quite nervous as we feel the pinch of passing time and April quickly approaches!!

So, I'll leave you to enjoy a peek through the many phases of our "barn raising" and we hope to see each of you this spring when we OPEN!!!

Much love,

Tracy

Preparing for Winter

The blooming season for our lavender has come to an end for 2014 and you'd think life
at the farm would slow down just a bit.  I suppose it has to some degree and yet this time also begins
 the big count down, the count down to the first frost!  With the frost on its way
 comes what is affectionately known as "the list".

Gardening is a lot like a race . . . a race against time and weather.  In the spring we race
against the rains to prepare the soil, clean up the fields, sow grass seed, ready irrigation lines, replace lavender and more. . . all to prepare for the great awakening of the plants and the June
bloom to come!
But the fall of the year seems to carry more tasks and pressure to get the lavender
 nicely tucked in weeks before the first frost.

 That's where "the list" comes into play.  Our list helps us prioritize the things that "must get done" and plan our weekends so in the end we have measured productivity.  Our list this fall was loaded - cut wood, blow out irrigation lines, gather leaves, do the final weeding and harvesting of the lavender, assemble a green house and so much more.  The one item we were almost giddy to have completed was giving the lavender a hard pruning in time to
recover a bit before the first frost.  With the temperatures so cold this past week
and a dusting of snow already on the ground - we are especially thankful our
 lavender was ready! Oh and the plants!  They look so happy, compact, and cute after their
 awesome haircut.  Twenty-one rows, approximately 190 feet long pruned and ready for
 winter gives cause for celebration!   Here are a few pictures of our winter-ready beauties.

  What's on your list?  How do you make your tasks manageable and complete?
We are always open to encouragement and fresh ideas!

 

Our New Product | Lavender Lemongrass Sugar Scrub

While on a recent trip to Texas, I visited three lavender farms in the area of San Antonio. There, I purchased lavender lemongrass soap and fell in love with the scent. I came home excited to incorporate this new scent into my sugar scrub. And let me tell you, it's been a success! The benefits of lemongrass are seemingly endless, but a few that caught my attention are its antibacterial properties and ability to naturally repel insects. Paired with lavender essential oil, it has a very soothing, calming effect. This new lavender lemongrass sugar scrub has been a hit!

Our sugar scrub is a gentle exfoliant and moisturizer that combines coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and essential oil to soothe dry hands. It will always be available at the Lake St. Louis Farmer's Market!

Our earliest bloomer, the Folgate variety has made its appearance for 2013.  There will be six additional varieties to follow.  Folgate will have almost iridescent, periwinkle blue flowers on 8-10 inch stems.  Let the season begin!

Where are we now?

Long Row Lavender Farm is now displaying products at Poppy J's in Warrenton!  We have lavender sachets, various wreaths for the Christmas season, as well as lavender sugar scrubs, which make great stocking stuffers.  Come by and see our new display! 

Ready, Set, Shop!!! Get ready for Mistletoe Madness at First Baptist Church in Wentzville, Thursday, November 15th from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.  We will be there along with over 45 other vendors to help create a one stop shopping extravaganza.  Our daughter will also be there featuring her new photography business, Jessica Lauren Photography.  It's going to be a great evening - hope to see you there!

Visit facebook.com/sister2sisterministries for more information.

 

Farmer's Market

It was a beautiful day at the market last Saturday.  Thank you to all who came out and supported our family business.  I've been working on a new product, lavender sugar scrub, that we will feature at the market this Saturday.  My faithful "testers" have been giving me feedback on the scrub as I try to get the right combination of exfoliant, fragrance, and oil.  I'm getting the thumbs up and must say I love the scrub and hope you enjoy it as well.  Along with the scrub we will have several wreaths, music wrapped sheaves, and of course fragrant sachets.  Looking forward to another beautiful day at the market - hope to see you there!

Life on the lavender farm has proven to be a challenge this summer due to the drought we and much of the country are experiencing.  Although the lavender is on a drip system and we faithfully water everyday, there is nothing like God rain.  Today, I woke up early, spending some quiet time I prayed again that God might bless us with some rain.  Still being pretty sleepy I fell back to sleep on the couch.  To my surprise and utter joy I awoke to the sounds of rain falling through the leaves in the trees.  What a welcome sound!  What a welcome answer to prayer!  I was giddy!  It rained all morning and the earth, as well as our lavender, sang praises to our Lord for His blessing! 

May/June Harvest 2012

The 2nd year harvest produced well. Off to the drying process and a future wreath or bundle!



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Location:Wright City, MO