We usually stick to activities that are in the northeast part of the city. When we traveled to Seven Oaks Lavender Farm, it was not to write a story but rather to just have a fun family outing on our day off. However, when we got there, our experience was just too fabulous not to share.
The pick your own experience has been available since 2005 but the history of the farm goes many years and much deeper than that. The actual farm turned 160 last year and their website will tell of the rich history of the farm. It is a family run farm and the family is absolutely super. The farmer that we met when we arrived to the farm gave us a lesson on all of the plants, not just the lavender, that grow on the farm and you could tell that he loved the farm and was proud of the family that works to keep it in such magnificent shape.
The first creatures that we saw at the farm were rabbits and lots of them. Often when you go to a farm or petting zoo, you find rabbits that are in wire cages and not much room. Not these rabbits. They had plenty of green grass and clovers to romp in along with a variety of shaded areas. We could have spent many hours just watching them but we were anxious to pick lavender.
We went there with the assumption that lavender is purple and it grows a certain way. We learned that there are many different types of lavender and some of it is white. Some grows on long stems and others are short. They all smelled amazing! We took our own basket (provided by Mac Grandma for this occasion) but there were baskets and scissors available to use during picking. The farmer gave us a quick primer in how to cut the stems and we were off to the vast fields of lavender available. Upon finishing, we overheard that one family had picked 45 stems. We thought that was a lot until we counted and found that we had 80. Each stem is $ .15 so our 80 stems didn’t break the bank and we had plenty to dry and make into drawer sachets.
In addition to the lavender, there were beautiful fields full of wildflowers along with smaller gardens of flowers all available for the picking. We were able to pick a bouquet of flowers that brought us joy for days. The cost of the flowers varied.
The best value on the farm is the herb garden. You can pick any herb you like and fill a clam shell for $2.95. This is one of the best herb gardens that we have visited. You name an herb and they had it and often in more than one variety.
Other things to know: Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids 4-16. The farm is open seven days a week. We went on a weekday and it was not crowded. Social distancing was easy. It was hot but there was a tent with free water available. Take your camera. There are darling chairs and a white gazebo for photo ops along with the field. This is an Instagram dream. The gift shop is closed this year but there are a few goodies available at the tent and you can order from their website and pick it up at the farm. You can take your pooch with you if you go on a Monday. Don’t wait too long to go. The picking season is over on July 18th.
This is one activity that we will do again next year. We hope you love as much as we did.
