When Debbie and Neal Cook decided to grow lavender on their farm east of Hillsboro, they chose a spot where they couldn't get hay or soybeans to grow. Lavender does well in poor soil.

Through trial and error, they learned to grow lavender in southern Ohio's climate. Then they opened their business, Springbrook Meadows Lavender, on land that's been in their family for 140 years.

The farm is open for pick-your-own lavender from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday throughout the growing season, or by appointment.

Debbie Cook's lavender-colored cottage also is open during the holidays for people to buy gifts, including dried lavender, essential oil, lavender candles, lavender honey and lavender skin products.

Cook recommends English lavender for beginners to grow because it is hardy to this region and easy to maintain. English lavender is not as tall as French lavender and its oil is not as abundant, but it will bloom all summer.

There are hundreds of varieties of lavender. Cook grows more than 80. Some are only a foot tall. Many are 2 feet tall. They range in color from light purple to dark purple to pink.

Cook continues to test different varieties of lavender. If she can recommend it, she begins selling it.

Before planting lavender, Cook amends the soil with compost and sand and mounds it into hedges to improve drainage. She plants lavender on the hedges. She adds lime or oyster shells under the plants to reflect light back up to them. She also removes the center stalks of most varieties to improve air circulation.

Cook controls weeds with a dark felt fabric. She has an irrigation line for dry periods. When lavender droops, it needs a drink, she says.

Cook says you can use fertilizer once in a while, but it's not necessary. Pruning lavender in the fall encourages growth.

Lavender can be used for many things: cooking, flower arranging and making soaps.

Cook makes lavender lemonade and says the herb also can be used in ice cream, chicken salad and pound cake with blueberry lavender sauce.

Three years ago, the Cooks introduced a Lavender Field Day, which has grown to be a popular annual event featuring food, artisans and classes on lavender. The first year 500 people came. At the event last month, attendance topped 1,000.

For more information about Springbrook Meadows Lavender: 937-365-1632; www.springbrook meadowslavender.com

E-mail GardenStories@cinci.rr.com

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