Lavender Harvest 2019
We have been extra busy at Menkveld Farm the last few weeks with our second lavender harvest! Last year we focused mainly on drying the lavender and using the buds for various lavender products. In addition to harvesting lavender to dry, this year we also focused on ways we could sell fresh lavender locally. As we near the end of harvest season, we are enjoying the purple that is still in the field, and while we are ready to spend some time at the pool, we are thrilled about everything that has been happening this month. Here is a quick update of some of the things we have been up to:
Half-pint loved going out to the field with mom and dad and supervising the lavender harvest.
The Farm Stand
This year we set up a farm stand where we had fresh bouquets and sachets available. We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet everyone who has stopped by the farm stand and hope to see you back at the farm stand next harvest season.
Outdoor Photo Shoots
This year we opened up the property as a photography venue, with the lavender field being a favorite location. We have been thrilled with the overwhelming interest and have had multiple photo sessions scheduled everyday this month. We will continue to offer sessions year round and are getting a sunflower patch prepped for late-summer and early-fall photos.
We also had a photo-fundraiser mid-June to support our pastor and his family as his wife battles breast cancer. All proceeds from that event are going to them, and we are so grateful to everyone who came out to support them!
It has been such a blessing to work with so many talented photographers, and we are excited to see how this will evolve in the coming years.
Harvesting
The drying room is officially set up again at Menkveld Farm. We harvested over 200 plants in the course of one week for dried bouquets, in addition to cutting lavender for fresh bunches. Harvesting usually involves getting up around 4:30AM, so we can be down at the field just as the sun is coming up. By harvesting this early, the scent of the flowers remains the strongest as it dries. While getting up at this time makes for some early mornings, it is such a peaceful time of the day and a favorite time for us as a family.
Fresh lavender ready for drying
More Lavender Plants
Recently we decided to add approximately 150 more lavender plants to the property. We have been busy planning out the details for the expansion, which will include some changes from our current set up to help ensure success for this new variety of lavender. Our main goal with this addition is to extend our season for outdoor photography sessions. Currently we only have a few weeks to enjoy the blooms, schedule photo sessions, and get all our harvesting accomplished. We are hoping this new variety will extend our flowering season by at least a month, but we will have to wait until next summer to know for sure.
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