Inhale…enjoy

Graysmarsh Farm is another lavender grower in Sequim, though they also have seasonal berries. The lavender is a part of their “U pick” operations; visitors can pick lavender bouquets as well as summer strawberries, raspberries, and other berries.

As with our other farms, the lavender attracts photographers.

Graysmarsh fields are beautiful because, well, lavender. Though some other farms include features to enhance photo-taking or encourage visitors to linger, this location is a farm that focuses on its commodities. If you love lavender, that’s plenty.

Provence closer to home

Jardin du Soleil is another of Sequim’s local lavender farms that I never tire of visiting in summer.

I visited on a weekday — weekends may be busier — but in a time of social distancing our lavender farms offer a soothing and pleasant respite.

No one is likely headed to Provence anytime soon in these days of pandemic. But Sequim’s dozen plus lavender farms are a none too shabby consolation.

Lavender season

Sequim is blessed with good growing conditions for lavender and July is the peak season for enjoying it. We have over a dozen farms of varying sizes, each with its own personality and offerings. Purple Haze, which I’m showing you today, is one of the oldest and one I always enjoy visiting.

Sequim’s annual Lavender Festival which includes music, craft sales, and lavender cultivation and distilling demonstrations at many farms, has been cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

The fields at Purple Haze are designed with an artist’s eye. They cover seven hillside acres and the property includes a gift shop and a vacation rental.

Many types of lavender are grown, including early and late varieties, and colors range from almost white to deep, rich purples. The green stripes in this shot are bushes that have already been harvested. The blossoms are available for visitors to pick. Likely, these blossoms went into some of many lavender scented products offered by Purple Haze.

Purple Haze offers ice cream and lavender-infused beverages during summer months. For us no visit would be complete without their lavender lemon custard ice cream (which has very subtle lavender undertones). Richly decadent and delicious.

Another lavender view

Graysmarsh Farm offers a little of everything that grows well here. Near the entrance is a rolling hill covered with lavender. The plants in the foreground have been partially or fully harvested by visitors and Graysmarsh workers for lavender products the farm markets. I wish there were scratch and sniff computer screens because the scent is wonderful now.

Scented scenery

One of Sequim’s longtime nurseries, Peninsula Nursery, changed hands a few years ago. The new owners have made many improvements, including the addition of a pretty lavender field.

Not all of our lavender operations are large farms. Earth Muffin Lavender is a modest operation at a busy intersection that many visitors pass.