Springbrook Meadows Lavender 

  Our Location                Contact Us                      Recent Articles                 2008 Lavender Field Day Schedule                             

The Lavender Cottage is now open for the season with many new Lavender gift ideas. 

Our hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10AM to 6PM

 You can also visit our On-Line Cottage for your Lavender needs. Stop in and see some of the most beautiful gifts for the lavender lover. Click Here to Enter Store.

Springtime has arrived at Springbrook Meadows

The 5th Annual Lavender Field Day will be held on June 21, 2008 from 10AM to 5 PM

---------------------------------------------

It is Springtime again.  We are excited to see the snows leave and the daffodils and flowering trees return.  The greenhouses are full of numerous varieties of lavender and the lavender in the field looks DEAD!  Yes, it looks dead.  

This is the time of year when nature tries to fool the lavender grower.  Many growers have asked us about the grey color of their plants and they wonder if their lavender is still alive, especially when everything around it is looking so green.  

The answer is probably yes. 

Last year we experienced an extended warm spell followed by a severe cold snap and ice storm.  The Lavender had already begun to bud when the storm hit. The plants looked dead then too.  Only this time, they really were.  We found it necessary to cut out as much as 1 to 2 years of growth from our plants just so that they could recover.  

So how does the average gardener know whether their lovely lavender made it through the winter?

The answer is very simple.  Take a cutting from the last 3 to 4 inches of one of the stalks in question.  It should be flexible and not brittle.  Flexible is good, brittle is bad.  Now take a pocket knife or even your fingernail and scrape off a little of the outer bark from the stalk.  You should see a thin layer of light green colored plant inside.  If that layer looks dark brown and paperlike then you probably have a problem. If on the other hand, the layer you see is green and your stalk is flexible, there is a very good chance that your plant is in good shape.  A little patience and a few more warm spring days and you will begin to see little green buds popping out up and down the length of stalk.   Each of these will become a new stalk of lavender to fill out your plant.  

We like to prune back in the Fall, but there are those who suggest that Spring pruning is just as effective.  There is however, a general thought that this Spring pruning hurts in total flower production for that season.  Regardless of the season of pruning that you choose, Lavender needs to be pruned. In fact Lavender loves to be pruned.  A well pruned lavender plant will produce many more flowers for the next blooming season and will not become overly woody and leggy which is downright ugly.  We suggest  pruning up to a third of the dimension of the plant by cutting it back into a domed shape.  We also suggest periodic opening of the area in the middle of the plant to encourage new growth and to allow sunlight into the heart of the plant. Then let nature take care of the rest.  You will be amazed.

Last years Lavender Field Day was a huge success with over 1500 people visiting with us on that one day.  The artists and craftsmen and musicians brought with them a bountiful supply of their most beautiful and creative works, and those who created the food and desserts and lavender ice cream are still receiving comments about how good it was.

You can see some of the pictures taken that day by clicking Here

We look forward to 2008 for the 5th Annual Lavender Field Day which will be held on June 21, 2008.

Thanks again to all of you who came and shared with us in a celebration of lavender.

Neal and Debbie Cook

---------------------------------------------

Debbie had a wonderful visit with the folks in beautiful Abingdon, Virginia on April 18, 19, or 20 when she visited and spoke at the 11th Annual Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire.  Debbie and her friend Brenda had a delightful time speaking with many from that area  about our farm and the lavender products. It was a large crowd that was registered at 5000, and many who were very interested in growing and caring for lavender.  Thank you Abingdon Virginia for inviting us down.  We enjoyed our time with you. 

Here's a link to the 11th Annual Mid-Atlantic Garden Faire in Abingdon Virginia.

---------------------------------------------

We have a tentative schedule for the 5th Annual Lavender Field Day.  We are adding several new classes as well as our most popular classes.  Classes  fill up early so we suggest you get together with your friends and decide which classes you would like to take together and sign up by calling us toll free at 1-888-323-3204 or by sending an email to SpringbrookLavender@hotmail.com

Here's the tentative schedule.  Please note that some times may change. 2008 Lavender Field Day Schedule of Events

---------------------------------------------

Springbrook Meadows Lavender Newest Cookbook - 

"A Taste of Lavender - A Guide to Lavender Cooking"

 This is the book that every one has been waiting for.  It contains the "Secret Recipe" for Springbrook Meadows Chicken Salad that has been selling out every year at our Lavender Field Day.  It also contains recipes for our very popular Herbs de Provence Potato Salad, Lavender Chicken Roulade, Lavender Glazed Salmon, Lavender Creme Brulee, Lavender Chocolate Tranquility Ganache, Lavender Colada, and of course our very special Lavender Lemonade.   You can order your copy by clicking HERE.