Touring The Blossoms At Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm

olympia lavender farm
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By Amy Rowley

seven inlets spaA few weeks ago, I picked up a little lavender plant at a nursery.  I was shopping for some pepper starts and it caught my attention.  The pot looked like it needed a new home and the delicious scent was an instant attraction.  I replanted it inside our greenhouse, while enjoying the lingering smell on my fingers.

olympia lavender farmWhile I visit my lavender plant daily with a sprinkle of water, I had thought that “all lavender was created equal.”  Then, I met Peggy and Thane Bryenton while visiting the Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm, in Olympia, off Yelm Highway.

The couple purchased the land in 2006 with the intention of building a new home and enjoying the extra space.  They had returned to Olympia after a brief hiatus in California, caring for aging parents.  Thane balked at mowing all four acres so they began researching different agriculture options and quickly settled on lavender.

The low maintenance plant was attractive to Peggy and Thane who both enjoy the beautiful landscape offered out their back windows.  Every fall, they prune the lavender into a nice mound, leaving the wood of the plant intact.  In the Spring, the plants bloom again, giving them ample blossoms to harvest for bouquets, decorative products, and pure lavender oil.

olympia lavender farm“Once we planted the lavender field, we have not had to use any natural resources to keep the plants thriving. We only practice organic methods and all they need now is an alkaline soil and sunshine,” says Peggy.

During my visit, Peggy was preparing bundles for an upcoming wedding.  She consulted with the bride, recommending the ‘just right’ bouquet based on what lavender is currently blooming.  She enjoys the personal connection with a customer as they prepare for a special event.  Lavender, from their farm, is also used for memorial services and special events.

Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm grows thirteen different varieties.  I learn quickly that the little plant I picked up on a whim may have much more to it than simply sitting pretty in my greenhouse.

We start the personal tour, open to anyone by appointment, by viewing the Royal Velvet plants.  This culinary variety, Peggy’s favorite, is mixed into the lavender cupcakes created at Bonjour Cupcakes.  Other varieties, grown at Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm, are also suitable for culinary uses but Royal Velvet is a cook’s favorite.

As we walk through the field, she talks about buying the plants from one grower after a trip to Sequim in 2008.  The Bryenton’s gathered about 30 friends and family to help plant the lavender farm, using one-year old starts.  “It was a regular assembly line – digging holes, adding fertilizer, putting in the plants,” recalls Peggy with a smile.  “Young kids ran water bottles to the planters to drink.  It was a great party.”

olympia lavender farmAs we walk through the next row, Fat Spike Grosso gives off a pungent scent.  These long, bright stems soar outward, creating a striking shrub.  Blooms are harvested at their peak, capturing the rich fragrance to create soaps, lotions, and oils.  Impress Purple comes next.  The strongly scented foliage will blossom towards the end of July and are sold as fresh flowers.

The Purple Bouquet variety is quite versatile, according to Peggy.  It’s known for its long stems and rich purple blooms.  She uses these lavender blossoms for cooking and crafts and notes that they keep their vibrant color longer than other varieties.  Gros Bleu lavender blooms are dried and keep all year.  These full bouquets are used often at special events.

Most lavender plants bloom only once each summer, but the delicate Buena Vista variety is currently in bloom and then will blossom again at the end of summer.

We end the walk with the pale purple Melissa plants.  The almost-white plants were previously deemed virtually worthless by the farmers.  “It smelled like old roses,” recalls Peggy.  “But, when we added the still to the farm and distilled this plant, the smell was beautiful.”

As we walk, the Bryenton’s dog, Copper, scampers along beside us.  “Lavender is a natural flea inhibitor,” adds Peggy watching Copper’s happy frolicking.

olympia lavender farmThe tour is not complete without a walk through the small craft shop.  Inside, all products are handcrafted by the family-owned business.  Neck wraps, eye pillows, dried bundles, sachets and distilled essential oil are offered for sale.  Since the couple often works from home, it’s easy to call ahead and schedule an appointment to tour the farm or purchase blooms and products.

The middle of July is the ideal time to see the lavender fields in full bloom.  A visit later in the Summer, or early Fall, is perfect to watch the harvesting and distilling process.  “Even our distiller was built locally,” says Thane who explains how they purchased the direct-steam distiller from an inventor in Yelm.

“It takes about 20 minutes to (distill) a run,” adds Thane.  During the peak operation, the couple will do ten runs in a day.  The resulting product is concentrated lavender oil that uses every part of the plant.

Peggy points out the hydrosol, a byproduct of the distilling process with a lingering scent.  “This liquid still has a scent and is perfect for freshening linen, your car, surface cleaning, and even for cleaning your glasses,” she explains, clearly an expert on all the different uses for lavender.

When Peggy lays in her hammock, she is blissfully happy.  Peggy and Thane clearly love the scent of the lavender and the people that they have met while selling their locally grown harvest.

To schedule your personal tour or to check on the store’s hours, call 360.754.2002.  Connect with Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm via Facebook or visit them Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 9733 Evergreen Valley Road SE in Olympia through late August.

 

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