Views of Sequim, the Olympic Peninsula. . .and beyond
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.
Sequim has lavender farms, big and small. Most have many varieties of the plants — early or late blooming, in shades from white to deep purple, aromatic, and culinary.
In addition to fields that are open for visitors to wander through and cut lavender bouquets, most of the farms offer lavender distillations and products such as lotions and soaps.
It’s wonderful to walk through the fields on warmer days an be immersed in the fresh lavender scent. It was overcast the day I took these photos but the scents made up for the dull light.
Top to bottom the farms shown are Jardin du Soleil, Olympic Lavender, and B & B Family Farm.
I made preview trips to two of Sequim’s biggest lavender operations yesterday. Jardin du Soleil, shown here, has lovely fields on rolling hillsides and beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. At the end of this week the open areas between the fields shown here will have crafts and food vendors as part of our annual Lavender Festival.
The gardens have a beautiful, manicured air. And on a warm afternoon that air is softly scented with lavender.
Jardin du Soleil has a gift shop which sells its lavender essences and lavender scented products.
Sequim Lavender Festival, also known as the Lavender Weekend, runs from Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23. Most of our local growers will be open for visitors and will sell u-pick lavender, lavender plants (there are dozens of varieties), and products.
Workers were busy harvesting lavender at Graysmarsh Farm this week. Soon bundles will scent cars and luggage as our visitors head home after this weekend’s Lavender Festival. Some farms pre-pick bundles for lavender lovers and some are harvesting the herb to dry or distill it for lotions, soaps and essential oil.
Professionals harvest and shape the bushes at the same time.
These bundles were waiting at Jardin du Soleil last week. Lavender bouquets typically run $5 to $6.
I’m taking a break but will re-post some favorite shots while I’m gone. We’re approaching lavender season in Sequim and our annual festival is next month. This is one of my favorite lavender farms, Jardin du Soleil.
We’re heading into the Sequim lavender season. Early blooming lavender is showing its color and our commercial lavender operations are getting ready for company: the annual Lavender Faire and Festival begins July 19. Jardin du Soleil, above, is open for business.
Sequim and the Dungeness Valley is a premier lavender growing region and as our growers open their gates to visitors and harvest this year’s crop there are plenty of attractions for visitors and locals. It’s time for total lavender immersion.
The farms on the heritage lavender farm tour all have gift shops. . .and they’re all fun if you like retail grazing. Above is Lost Mountain Lavender.
Here is Jardin du Soleil. It and Lost Mountain both have new owners this year.
The Purple Haze gift shop is in the building to the right, above. The building in the distance is a rental house for those who want a total lavender immersion. Purple Haze also has a retail store on Washington Street.
Sunshine Herb & Lavender Farm is the first heritage lavender farm that you encounter as you come to Sequim from the east. With this gorgeous red barn it’s hard to miss.