Lavender Fields Forever
Words by Ashley Brown, Photos by Baylie Beebe
Lavender Fields Forever
Back in the 70s, travels to southern France inspired some of the early Texas Hill Country winemakers who imagined that if grape vines thrive in the French climate, they would here, too. Some of the first Texan lavender growers had that same epiphany. Dr. Richard Becker and his late wife Bunny, co-founders of Becker Vineyards, fell in love with lavender while traveling through Provence. Recognizing the climate was similar to that of Fredericksburg, they decided to plant lavender in addition to growing grapes and making wine.
In 1999, Robb Kendrick and Jeannie Ralston opened one of Texas’ first lavender farms in Blanco. Same story: On a trip to Provence for Kendrick’s work as a National Geographic photographer, he was struck by the similarities between the landscape and his home. He figured lavender would grow just as well in Blanco’s rocky terrain and smoldering summers. They came home and started Hill Country Lavender.
While lavender farming hasn’t exploded on the Texas scene with the same boom that winemaking has (nothing can compete, nor does it need to, with wine), it has become a thriving industry in Central Texas. Those early growers were right about the climate being perfect for lavender. It’s also healthy for our ecosystem as it’s a great source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators. And the plant’s beauty, hardiness and soothing fragrance have made it popular with residents and tourists alike.
“It’s not just your grandmother’s scent anymore,” says Tasha Brieger Corradini, current owner of Hill Country Lavender. As people have become more educated about holistic living and essential oils, lavender’s appeal is blossoming. Not only is it calming — helping with stress, anxiety and sleep — it may also alleviate headaches; soothe sunburns, cuts and scrapes; and repel bugs (place some in your closets and drawers to keep out moths and scorpions). Mixed with other oils, it can be enjoyed without making you too sleepy. Lavender also has many culinary uses; it’s especially delicious in cocktails!
While lavender isn’t a needy plant, and does rather well in drought-prone Texas, the one thing it does require is the right soil: alkaline and well-drained. The plants are normally dormant between October and April, but the exact timing of the blooms can be affected by abnormal weather (like “Snowmegeddons” or ice storms). There are 490 varieties that come from France, Spain and England, so for those who may want to try their hand at growing lavender at home, there are many options to choose from.
“I always tell people to plant eight or ten different varieties and give it two to three years to see what happens and which ones are happy,” says Corradini. Baby plants do need a good drink of water every few days for the first six months of their life. After they’re established, they need very little. “They’re actually a stress-driven plant. If you’re too nice to them, they won’t bloom!”
Once lavender is cut, typically over a six-week period in May and June, it’s hung to dry and the oil is extracted to use in various products, or the buds are stripped and then used in food and drink recipes. Whether you’re interested in learning about growing or cooking with your own lavender, finding some delightful home and health products or taking a day trip to a beautiful farm in the country, check out what these Texas farms have to offer!
Becker Vineyards
Becker Vineyards is arguably one of the most beautiful in Fredericksburg with its fields of vines, flowers and lavender nestled on 308 acres, a mile or so off the well-worn path of U.S. Highway. 290. Increasing the artistry of the fields, the Becker family added red poppies, bluebonnets and zinnias. The lavender plants have occasionally succumbed to drought, flash flooding and snow storms, but the family has always replanted, and they’re now sticking with the Stoechas (Spanish) varietal that seems to tolerate these weather events the best.
Visitors to Becker Vineyards enjoy sipping on delicious wines while gazing upon, or strolling through, Clementine’s Garden, the fields of flowers named in honor of the late Clementine “Bunny” Becker. They offer a variety of lavender products, sold both at the estate tasting room and their Main Street tasting room location. The products include handmade lavender soap, eye pillows, sachets, lotion, shower gel, grape seed scrub, lip balm, candles and much more.
The Beckers started Lavender Fest in 1998 as well. The festival features vendors, mostly with the theme of gardening and cooking, a “Meet Your Maker” bar for wine tastings and live music, all in the serene setting of the stone pavilion right next to the gardens. They also have a Lavender Bites and Wine Pairing so guests can learn more about cooking with lavender, as well as a Lavender Luncheon.
In addition to the annual festival, Becker Vineyards has a flourishing all-inclusive events program, including an Estate Chef and partnership with Hill Country Catering, allowing customers to host whatever type of private event — from corporate dinners to birthdays and rehearsal dinners — in as easy a manner as possible.
Chappell Hill Lavender Farm
Jim and Debbie McDowell moved from Houston to their 23-acre farm in Brenham in 2001 with no intention of growing lavender. When they decided they wanted to make use of their land, they did a lot of research into what would thrive, and planted 20 lavender plants. They now grow thousands of Sweet and Provence hybrids that do well in heat and humidity. The oil from the plants is used in all of their products, which are handmade — mostly by Debbie. They offer a line of products called Nature’s Remedies that includes teas and spices, soaps, candles and other handmade crafts in their gift shop.
Unlike fields in the middle of the Hill Country, the lavender fields at Chappell Hill require a lot more maintenance because they don’t like the wetter conditions. Because of that challenge, they’re one of only a few lavender farms in the area that remain open to the public regularly. Visitors to the farm can enjoy strolling around the fields; picnicking at the gazebo by a pond; feeding Fonzie, Oreo and Moon Shine — the resident miniature goats; stocking up at the gift shop; and picking blackberries, peaches, pears, persimmons and more when the fruit is ripe. They also offer a variety of plants for sale and free tours.
The lavender cutting season is typically May–June and August–October, during which visitors can cut their own bundles of lavender for $5.
On the outdoor deck, Chappell Hill provides seminars, yoga, painting classes, educational classes and private parties when the weather is nice. Annually, they host "Celebrating Mom's Spring Fling Event" on the day before Mother's Day, and they participate with The Art Walk (in conjunction with the Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce) each May and The Airing of the Quilts each September.
Doe-Re-Mi Lavender Farm
Ann and Rob Karns moved to their farm about 40 miles southwest of San Antonio in 2009, and they set out to transform the land from cactus and mesquite to a working farm. They started out with a vegetable garden, chickens and goats and native grasses. Ann came across a story in a gardening magazine about a lavender farm in Virginia, and she thought, “I have a lavender plant growing in my vegetable garden and it’s surviving without any care. Maybe we could grow lavender.” That’s when,in 2016, the couple went to work clearing mesquite and preparing the land for 1,500 lavender plants.
The Doe-Re-Mi Lavender Farm is always evolving, and the couple loves every minute of farm life. Visitors are able to experience a lovely, peaceful day in the country — picnicking; tasting herbs in the greenhouse and gardens; feeding the goats, alpacas and Donkers, the guard donkey; and shopping for lavender products, propagated lavender plants and garden and gift items. Customers can also cut their own lavender bundles or take a tour and experience the distillation of essential lavender oil. You can leave the farm with not only lavender products, but also eggs from their chickens and yarn made from alpaca wool.
Ann is a talented cook, and the farm also offers cooking classes in which she shares her lavender baking secrets. A unique addition, the new Farm Café serves up her homemade treats — including scones, shortbread, cakes and coffees — as well as their son William’s gelato made with the farm’s eggs, mint and lemon balm. The farm is a great place for private parties, school groups, garden club gatherings and more. The Karns family has made it a truly special place that they love to share with others.
Hill Country Lavender
Tasha Brieger Corradini, Blanco Chamber of Commerce president, had been working at Hill Country Lavender since she was 16. Founder Robb Kendrick convinced her to buy the farm when she was still in college, in 2005. She thought it’d be a fun, temporary thing until interest in lavender waned, which it never did. Instead, Blanco became the Lavender Capital of Texas and is host to the annual Blanco Lavender Festival each June. For a fun-filled weekend, the downtown square comes alive with music, shopping, beer, wine and food, and special events take place out at the farm. Visitors are welcome at the farm any time they’re open to cut lavender when it’s blooming or to just enjoy a picnic among the plants.
While breathing in the plant’s aroma or cooking with lavender are the best DIY uses, Hill Country Lavender distills the buds to create the essential oil that is the key ingredient for their bevy of products — from soaps and aromatherapy sticks to bug sprays and dog shampoos — all handmade by Corradini’s husband RG and available at the farm’s shop and on their website. Also on their website, you’ll find enticing cocktail photos and recipes, all created by Corradini too.
