With the release of the epic Baz Luhrmann film ‘Australia’, the Land Down Under will no doubt have its fair share of new visitors in the months to come.
If Australia is your destination to escape the harsh North American winter ... make sure to include a detour to enjoy the country’s vast fields of lavender. Depending on the region ... lavender is in bloom from October to January.
If your feet are in need of extra TLC after a long day at work, extensive walking, hiking or marathon shopping, a footbath might just do the trick.
Adding lavender essential oil to the water will re-new your feet with a soothing, stress-relieving, fragrant soak.
Add 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil to your footbath, give the water a good stir (this helps to mix the oil particles with the water – otherwise most of the oil would just float on top).
Often during fall and winter feet do not get enough air as they are forced into closed shoes. When feet naturally perspire and don’t get enough air, bacteria can munch away at the sweat and causes odour.
Though lavender is not the strongest antibacterial agent of all the aromatics (as tea tree or thyme, for example), lavender has fungicidal qualities and can be used as a natural preventative remedy against foot odour.
After your footbath, shower or bath, carefully dry your feet – especially between the toes. Massage a little lavender essential oil to the area between your toes for more protection.
Slip Lavender Sachets into your shoes when not in use to eliminate and neutralize shoe odours ... one lavender farm in the southern United States suggest putting lavender in your shoes to deter scorpions. Apparently they love to hide in shoes ...
The annual Sequim Lavender Festival in Washington attracts over 30,000 lavender enthusiasts from around the world ... this year I was one of them.
For the past 12 years, Sequim (pronounced “skwim”) - a small American town located between the deep waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the majestic Olympic Mountains transforms into a bustling lavender Mecca.
What began in 1995 as a small enterprise by a group of local folks seeking to restore the agricultural heritage of the fertile Sequim prairie has now grown into a remarkable association of growers – the Sequim Lavender Growers Association with more than 30 members.
Visitors are invited to experience the fragrance and splendour of this captivating herb by visiting the 8 working lavender farms on tour. Each farm is distinctive, reflecting the vision of its owner and the surrounding environment. Farmers share their techniques for cultivating, drying and using lavender. U-pick lavender is offered at each farm, plus workshops, demonstrations, artisans, music, food and beverages.
Distillation of Lavender Oil Lavender Vodka & Gin Treats ... Many Treats!
The “Meet the Farmer” programs were very informative and gave the feeling of really being up-close and personal with the lavender, the farm and the hard work that goes into maintaining it. Each farm owner has her/his own unique approach to growing lavender - just as unique as their geographical location.
I found the festival was extremely well organized ... and each and every farm truly did open their doors to the visitors - as one farmer discussing the importance of marketing explained: “Individuals continue to be our most important Internet”.
What amazed me most was the sheer size of the lavender. Some as large as 7’ wide and 4’ high – lavender might not be a native to this area, but there is no doubt that it is thriving and happy in this microclimate.
I discovered many interesting lavender products and culinary delights, learned about the different apparatus used to distil the precious lavender oil, learned about the 3 P’s (Propagating, Planting and Pruning) of lavender as well as finally getting to feel and touch over 50 varieties of this beloved herb.
More importantly, I had the opportunity to visit Purple Haze Lavender Farm and meet the owner and 'driver' Mike Reichner. Purple Haze is the organic lavender farm that supplies Lavender-Blu with its culinary lavender and organic hydrosol.
This farm is cradled in the “Rain Shadow” of the Olympic Mountains and lovingly cares for its 12.5 acres of lavender plants which naturally cling to the rolling Sequim hillsides. This farm continues to develop in the area of agritourism and sustainable agriculture practices.
The Lavender Season is Not Over!
The joy of lavender continues into September as lavender blooms throughout the summer. There are many farms open to the public and businesses in the area to accommodate you on your visit. Visit the Sequim Lavender Growers Association at www.lavendergrowers.org. Spread the word, visit and bring a friend.
Save the Date!
The Sequim Lavender Festival is always held the third full weekend of July. In 2009 the dates will be July 17-19. Make your plans early.
Should you have any questions about visiting Sequim, do not hesitate to contact me, I will be more than happy to assist you with your lavender travel plans. Below you will find a few more photos taken during the Lavender Festival...
Lavender Varieties - It's magical to see them up close!
Distilling Purple Gold ... in many different ways!
Lavender culinary treats around each corner!
Getting crafty!
New garden concepts!
August 2008
Soulful Saponification - The Art of Cold Process Soap Making
During my recent lavender-related travels to what I call – Petit Provence – or otherwise known as The Eastern Townships, Quebec (ca. 1 hour east of Montreal), I had the opportunity to explore the subject of cleanliness, soap and lavender at greater depth! I participated in an artisan soap making workshop and got an inside scoop on the history of soap, its cultural importance, the process of saponification, study of the ingredients as well as the art of essential oil blending!
Here are a few interesting things I learned ... and of course I brought back some souvenirs – all available at our Lavender-Blu online store of course!
My soap-making workshop at the savonnerie in Quebec revealed that regardless of how far we’ve come in science, the natural cold process of soap making has not changed much from the recipes found on clay tablets dating as far back as 2500 B.C.
Soap making is chemistry 101. The basic chemical formula is: lye (which is an extreme base such as sodium hydroxide) + oil = soap + natural glycerin. This process is called saponification. Once the saponification has occurred, the fresh play dough-like substance is poured into moulds and undergoes a curing process of 4-6 weeks during which the caustic lye is neutralized ... leaving natural soap with a skin-friendly pH which is literally good enough to eat!
Cold process saponification is truly an art form. The artisan soap maker can skilfully manipulate the basic formula to create a unique trade product. For example, some artisans change the lye-oil ratio slightly to make soap more moisturising, while others add herbal extracts, and of course each artisan often creates a special blend of essential oils to create a well-balanced scent.
The art of making soap by hand differs from industrial soap in that whole oils containing intact triglycerides are used and glycerine is a desirable by-product. Glycerin is a humectant – this means that it attracts moisture to the skin – making skin feel hydrated and supple.
About the Savonnerie des Diligence
The Savonnerie des Diligences is located in Eastman, Quebec – it is owned and operated by Marie-Eve Lejour and Sébastien Boismenu.
The savonnerie is dedicated to producing natural hand-made soap using local ingredients such as beeswax as well as supporting local growers of herbs and flowers in their production of herbal extracts used in soap making.
Each batch of soap is hand-crafted using natural oils such as olive oil (to hydrate the skin), coconut oil (to create a luscious lather) along with beeswax (which serves to harden the soap and works as a natural antibacterial agent).
The soaps are made without synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals, parabens, or synthetic perfumes. We hope you like our new collection of natural soaps!
July 2008
"Purple Thumb"
Growing Lavender Successfully
If you are looking for just a few good tips on how to grow your lavender successfully then I am sure you will find the recent article from The New York Times very helpful. The author gathered some great tips from experienced “Purple Thumbs” who are passionate about growing lavender - for example: how to add a special soil mixture of materials rich in calcium, potash and lime to help lavender plants flourish.
I turned purple with envy when I read that each of the garden centres featured in this article offer a selection of 60 or more kinds of lavender! Hidecote, Munstead, Graves, Cedar Blue, Croxton’s Wild, Ashdown Forest, Sharon Roberts, Rebecca Kay are just a few examples mentioned. There are varieties which do well as hedges while others make great topiaries. The ‘sweeter’ varieties are best suited for culinary purposes, while some lavender varieties grow nice and straight with long strong stems – these are best suited for crafting and drying.
Since both herb farms mentioned in the article are located in the northern part of the USA, they are in a similar climate zone as most of southern Canada. The growers are familiar with harsh winters and other climate-related difficulties that gardeners of these zones might encounter and are therefore able to provide valuable lavender growing tips to Canadian gardeners.
One thing is for sure: Lavender (intentionally as well as unintentionally) opens up a world of learning.
It touches on a wide range of subjects and provides a natural “spark” that ignites spontaneous lessons in chemistry, history, geography, creative arts, biology, physics, and even math.
Moreover, learning about lavender awakens a new appreciation for local flora and fauna (including weeds and pesky bugs) as well as a keen interest in cooking and baking! Watch out Jamie Oliver!
Lavender is easy to find, easy to grow, easy to use – with endless educational benefits!
We’ve come up with some ideas of how a little purple flower can open up the floodgates of knowledge:
Roof-top gardens – learn about lavender (and other fascinating plants) that thrive in this unique “ecosystem”. A great way to learn about architecture, urban landscaping, plant species and environmental benefits of rooftop gardens. Some rooftop gardens use lavender for its culinary purposes; the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is one example!
Botanical Gardens – learn about an apothecary’s garden ... the art of growing herbs for the purpose of healing! Remember, lavender is a true touchy-feely plant – PLEASE TOUCH!
Restaurants – more and more restaurants are opting to go organic and are willing to experiment with local produce. Culinary lavender is being re-discovered – you can find it in cookies, ice-cream, and various desserts as well as in your salads, chicken and seafood dishes! Kids love the flavour and will be more than eager to experiment with the lavender growing in your garden. When in Toronto, try Brad Kurtenbach’s lavender-blueberry ice cream .... mmmmm.
Container gardening – lavender loves a sunny spot in a terracotta pot! To create a “Pizza Garden” plant some pots with basil, rosemary, tomatoes and lavender – when making a home-made pizza kids take all the fresh ingredients from their own garden.
Lavender Farm - More and more lavender farms are popping up throughout North America! It is a wonderful and educational day-trip. Farms usually cater to the young ones inviting them to see the distillation process or prepare a lavender craft.
Aromatherapy Workshops for Kids – due to its many healing properties and safe nature, lavender essential oil is very popular in aromatherapy. It can be used pure, can be mixed with other essential oils or it can be added to a “carrier oil” such as sweet almond oil.
Explore a city nature trail such as Toronto’s Humber Bay Habitat. The kids can learn all about butterflies and how to choose the proper flowers to attract more butterflies – here you will certainly find lavender!
May 2008
Xeriscaping with Lavender
Lavender can help you become a “greener” gardener!
If you are planning to spruce up your landscaping this spring, consider a new art of gardening called xeriscaping.
Literally, the word xeriscaping comes from a combination of two other words: “xeri” derived from the Greek word “xeros” for dry; and “scape,” meaning a kind of view or scene. While xeriscape translates to mean "dry scene," in practice xeriscaping means simply landscaping with slow growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and reduce yard trimmings.
Why is lavender ideal for xeriscaping?
It is slow growing
Its aromatic oils prevent the plant from drying out - being drought tolerant helps to conserve water
Provides lots of attractive planting options
Presents minimal pest and disease problems
Attracts friendly insects (bees, butterflies) while deterring mosquitoes!
Its buds can be harvested for culinary, craft or cosmetic purposes and the lavender stems can be harvested to make logs used as fire-starters - hence reducing the amount of plant trimmings that needs to be disposed of
Thrives with little or no fertilization
Requires low pruning and maintenance
Other plants to consider when xeriscaping are:
1. Salvia
2. Lavender (Our favourite!)
3. Thyme
4. Feverfew
5. Scabiosa
6. Statice
7. Sweet Alyssum
8. Sedums
9. Hens-n-chicks
10. Moss Rose
11. Snapdragon
12. Chinese Forget-Me-Not (Cynoglossum amabile)
13. Linaria
14. Grasses
15. Coreopsis (C. lanceolata and C. tinctoria)
16. Rudbeckia
17. Echinacea (E. angustifolia)
18. Ratibida
19. Verbena bonariensis
20. Gaillardia
Lavender hues: periwinkle, azure blooms, hues of purple and pink, shades of violet, tones of lilac, touches of blue ... these are the colours of serenity and equilibrium. Lavender hues are known as the colours of meditation and spiritual deepening and are said to help us concentrate on our inner world.
Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditation could be magnified ten-fold under the violet light falling through the stained glass window of a quiet church. Contemporary colour therapy introduces lavender hues to calm the senses and to stimulate inspiration.
Similarly, a quick glimpse into the ancient study of Feng Shui reveals that hues of purple are associated with an awareness of spiritual matters – here too purple/violet is considered to be a soothing colour.
With the exception of a few very fortunate geographical locations, lavender’s true calming hues expose their beauty only 3 months of the year. However, you can easily replicate natures calming and soothing palette by introducing lavender hues into your life using paint, art, fashion, jewellery, and of course flowers.
Hence the healing hues of lavender can work their magic year round.
March 2008
Canadian Lavender Farm Voted
“Top Romantic Spot in Canada”
Although February 14th has come and gone, let’s not forget romance and love just yet. Lavender has a long history in helping Cupid with all things pertaining to romance and love. The lavender lore of centuries past is once again experiencing a renaissance! Pure Canada, the Canadian travel-lifestyle magazine has voted Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm in Kelowna, British Columbia as one of the most romantic spots to visit in Canada. So, next time romance is on your mind, forget roses and choose the thorn-free mauve beauty of lavender instead. A visit to this farm is a must in July ... only four months away!
A new study reveals that lavender induces restaurant diners to spend more, linger longer!
Several studies have shown that odors have an effect on human behavior. Consumer's behavior is also affected by odors. An experiment was carried out in a restaurant where lemon and lavender aromas were diffused and compared to a no-aroma control condition. Results showed that lavender—but not lemon aroma—increased the length of stay of customers and the amount of purchasing. The hypothesis that lavender produces a relaxing effect is offered to explain the results.
Abstract from the International Journal of Hospitality Management
Volume 25, Issue2, June 2006, Pages 335-339
The Human Flower Project is an international newsgroup, photo album and discussion of how people live through flowers. They report on art, medicine, society, politics, religion, and commerce. (Above photo courtesy The Human Flower Project)
January 2008
What can Lavender do for me?
For most of us getting back into a daily routine after the Holidays is tricky. As we say good bye to the old year, and welcome the New Year we are flooded with excitement as the 2008 calendar fills up once again with dentist appointments, office meetings, school-related activities, family birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate, theatre dates or sporting events!
Amidst all this ‘juggling’ there are days when the boss gets you frazzled, or perhaps you simply feel overwhelmed by the daily grind ... you sense a migraine coming on and experience an ache in your shoulders and a stiff neck from sitting at a computer all day.
Time for some lavender!
The use of lavender in the workplace may help you handle workplace stress, relax under pressure and focus better
The scent of lavender can ease migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain naturally
Lavender promotes relaxation and more restorative sleep
The scent of lavender brings on a natural relaxed state that helps individuals cope better with life's aggravations
Lavender is considered a natural stress reducer that can lift mild depression and ‘clear the mind’
The scent of lavender has a tendency to slow down our minds and bodies. We relax. We are soothed.
Adding lavender to your life will help you feel calm and prepared to ENJOY life! Fill your life with lavender and create a sense of well-being not only during the frazzled moments – but all New Year long.
After your footbath, shower or bath, carefully dry your feet – especially between the toes. Massage a little lavender essential oil to the area between your toes for more protection.
Lavender Mecca ... 
What began in 1995 as a small enterprise by a group of local folks seeking to restore the agricultural heritage of the fertile Sequim prairie has now grown into a remarkable association of growers – the Sequim Lavender Growers Association with more than 30 members. 
The “Meet the Farmer” programs were very informative and gave the feeling of really being up-close and personal with the lavender, the farm and the hard work that goes into maintaining it. Each farm owner has her/his own unique approach to growing lavender - just as unique as their geographical location. 
What amazed me most was the sheer size of the lavender. Some as large as 7’ wide and 4’ high – lavender might not be a native to this area, but there is no doubt that it is thriving and happy in this microclimate.
More importantly, I had the opportunity to visit Purple Haze Lavender Farm and meet the owner and 'driver' Mike Reichner. Purple Haze is the organic lavender farm that supplies Lavender-Blu with its culinary lavender and organic hydrosol. 
This farm is cradled in the “Rain Shadow” of the Olympic Mountains and lovingly cares for its 12.5 acres of lavender plants which naturally cling to the rolling Sequim hillsides. This farm continues to develop in the area of agritourism and sustainable agriculture practices.
During my recent lavender-related travels to what I call – Petit Provence – or otherwise known as The Eastern Townships, Quebec (ca. 1 hour east of Montreal), I had the opportunity to explore the subject of cleanliness, soap and lavender at greater depth! I participated in an artisan soap making workshop and got an inside scoop on the history of soap, its cultural importance, the process of saponification, study of the ingredients as well as the art of essential oil blending! 
Cold process saponification is truly an art form. The artisan soap maker can skilfully manipulate the basic formula to create a unique trade product. For example, some artisans change the lye-oil ratio slightly to make soap more moisturising, while others add herbal extracts, and of course each artisan often creates a special blend of essential oils to create a well-balanced scent. 
The Savonnerie des Diligences is located in Eastman, Quebec – it is owned and operated by Marie-Eve Lejour and Sébastien Boismenu.
I turned purple with envy when I read that each of the garden centres featured in this article offer a selection of 60 or more kinds of lavender! Hidecote, Munstead, Graves, Cedar Blue, Croxton’s Wild, Ashdown Forest, Sharon Roberts, Rebecca Kay are just a few examples mentioned. There are varieties which do well as hedges while others make great topiaries. The ‘sweeter’ varieties are best suited for culinary purposes, while some lavender varieties grow nice and straight with long strong stems – these are best suited for crafting and drying.
Since both herb farms mentioned in the article are located in the northern part of the USA, they are in a similar climate zone as most of southern Canada. The growers are familiar with harsh winters and other climate-related difficulties that gardeners of these zones might encounter and are therefore able to provide valuable lavender growing tips to Canadian gardeners. 
Kids Love to Learn with Lavender!
One thing is for sure: Lavender (intentionally as well as unintentionally) opens up a world of learning. 
Lavender hues: periwinkle, azure blooms, hues of purple and pink, shades of violet, tones of lilac, touches of blue ... these are the colours of serenity and equilibrium. Lavender hues are known as the colours of meditation and spiritual deepening and are said to help us concentrate on our inner world.
With the exception of a few very fortunate geographical locations, lavender’s true calming hues expose their beauty only 3 months of the year. However, you can easily replicate natures calming and soothing palette by introducing lavender hues into your life using paint, art, fashion, jewellery, and of course flowers. 
Hence the healing hues of lavender can work their magic year round.
Canadian Lavender Farm Voted
