SEQUIM — The Sequim Lavender Farmers Association celebrates the culmination of the 2013 lavender growing season with lavender distillation and harvest demonstrations Saturday and Sunday.
“Visit five of our gorgeous member farms as we share the harvest of a fantastic year for lavender and begin to get ready for another season,” said Scott Nagle, executive director of the group.
Lavender will be cleaned and
“de-budded,” while visitors can bask in the aroma of the lavender bundles hanging to dry, and learn about the process of distilling lavender into oil, Nagle said.
“The fields and gardens are beautiful, the gift shops are open, and there are lots of lavender plants for sale,” he said.
Those with Friends of Lavender membership cards can use member discounts.
Others can get immediate savings on lavender products by signing up to be members of Friends of Lavender, which supports Sequim Lavender Farm Faire, an annual fair during Sequim Lavender Weekend in July.
Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at each of the Sequim farms open for the harvest weekend.
They are:
— Jardin du Soleil Lavender, 3932 Sequim-Dungeness Way.
A lavender distillation demonstration is set for 10 a.m. Saturday.
— Lost Mountain Lavender, 1541 Taylor Cutoff Road.
The “budder” and cleaner will be running throughout the day Saturday and Sunday.
— Purple Haze Lavender, 180 Bell Bottom Road.
Lavender distillation demonstrations are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
— Victor’s Lavender Farm, 3743 Old Olympic Highway.
Victor Gonzales, a wholesale lavender grower and supplier, will talk about growing and harvesting lavender.
— Washington Lavender, 965 Finn Hall Road.
Lavender distillation demonstrations are set from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The nonprofit Sequim Lavender Farmers Association is one of two groups that host fairs and tours during Sequim Lavender Weekend.
The other group that took part in the annual weekend is the Sequim Lavender Growers Association.
Information about the farmers group can be found at www.sequimlavender.org, by emailing info@sequimlavenderfarms.org or by phoning 360-452-6300.
The growers association website is at www.lavenderfestival.com.
