What are we up to? Is the Lavender Ready?
We Are Growing
Van Gogh Lavender is growing and will contain 5 acres of lavender in 2022. Visitors are welcome, but please understand that the farm is still developing . Call or text for updates about blooms (206) 595-4831). And please visit the neighbor farms: Glacier View Lavender of Highway 35 or Hood River Lavender-in Odell, OR.
The First Dig
APRIL 2020, We begin our journey into the world of lavender farming. North facing view: Mount Adams in the distance.
FEBRUARY 14, 2021
We are learning that in the absence of other plant life, gophers take a great liking to lavender roots. We lost about a dozen lavender shrubs this week. And high winds blew the berm coverings off.
April 11, 2021
A view of last year’s plantings, this year’s replacements and newly shaped berms in the distance.
June 1, 2021
Hale’, our “Lavrador Retriever” is assisting with finding gopher tunnels within the lavender berms.
June 6th, 2021
The red poppies came in along with covering for our berms. The weeds were left in place to keep gophers busy (a temporary measure). Lavender lost in March have been replaced by clones! In addition, we painstakingly planted 2,700 additional lavender plants: ‘Super’ and ‘Gros Bleu’. Both varieties are Intermedia (AKA French Lavender).
June 28th, 2021
The additional 27 rows of lavender is complete (visible in the distance). Two new cultivars are planted: Intermedia “Super” and Intermedia “Gros Bleu”.
July 15th, 2021
Van Gogh Lavender’s first harvest is ready. While the Grosso lavender plants are in their 2nd year and not fully developed, an abundance of lavender flowers were available to cut and provide months of enjoyment for our local lavender enthusiasts
July 28, 2021
Lawrence the praying mantis is awarded VGL’s first “EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH” accolade. Lawrence is seeking out insects that may harm the new Super lavender plantings
August 12, 2021
Behold the fruits of our first lavender harvest. Large, Luxurious Lavender bunches
September 11, 2021
The Local Elk visit Van Gough Lavender farm for seasonal romance: AKA “The Rutt”. The damage was severe, widespread and reported to the Oregon State Department of Fish & Wildlife.
December 17, 2021
Super, Grosso & Gros Bleu Lavender plants in production to replace fallen field plants and for sale at farmer’s market in Spring 2022
January 20, 2022
The lavender are semi-dormant. Snow and ice can crush shrubs that aren’t trimmed properly in the fall. Fortunately, we trimmed our lavender so the snow and ice damage is limited.
June 1, 2022
The heavy ice and snow of winter 2022 caused minor damage and the lavender shrubs are recovering nicely. 3,200 new angustifolia lavender plantings have been added: Royal Velvet, Folgate and Hidcote Blue. All great varieties suitable for culinary use.
July 12, 2022
Van Gogh Lavender is at the Hood river Farmer’s Market making friends, connections and getting to know the atmosphere of the neighborhood that is the Columbia River Gorge.
HARVESTED PRODUCTS
Fresh cut and dried lavender available
PROVIDING THE BEST CARE FOR YOUR LAVENDER
