Farm News

December 2012

Many apologies for not having kept up this section of the website - it is a sure indicator of just how busy we have been!

Our New Year''s resolution will be to put this right so watch this space for more news in January 2013. Thank you.

November 2010
The farm is now closed. We rounded off the season with a fantastic Halloween event (please see photos on our Facebook page) and were lucky enough to have perfect conditions for the Ghost walk, Ghoulish Bonfire etc. The life size models of witches, ghouls, ghosts and skeletons attracted a lot of attention, as did the oversize tarantula which was posed over the lavender rows, showing its fangs! It was quite sad having to tidy them all away. So now, for us,  its back to work clearing up and preparing for next year both outside and in. - it never stops!

September 2010
Our harvest finished, as usual, in mid August this year. Although the lavender plants came into bloom very late this year - due, no doubt, to the very long, cold winter and slow-to-start summer - it seems that the hot and sunny weather we had in early July speeded things up so that, in the end, we ran to our ''normal'' schedule. In any case it was a good harvest with decent oil yields so we have plenty of lavender oil stored away to mature for next year''s use. This year we were pleased to launch our Lavender Handwash which has flown off the shelves in the shop all season.  We also brought in a new edible lavender product - the Lavender, Lemon and Lime Marmalade - which has sold amazingly well . On the plant side, due to popular demand, we have been selling 3 types of agapanthus which make stunning displays and look wonderful when planted with lavenders in the garden. Kate Whatuwira, our chef, is back in Sprigs Cafe, making the most delicious cakes, jams, breads, chutneys and truly amazing, irresistable cup-cakes in many different themes. We will be including Kate''s produce in many of our Christmas hampers which can be ordered locally. In the meantime, as we draw near to the close of our season, the gardens are still looking wonderful and many of our tender variety of lavender plants are still blooming. If the nice weather continues  they may keep looking colourful until November!

June 2010
The Harvest season has begun. Whilst the lavender is not yet fully in flower - due to the adverse weather conditions we have experienced this year - we are distilling rosemary, eucalyptus and cypress every day, twice a day. We are running several events to mark the June in Bloom festival so please check our events section in the Farm pull down. We look forward to seeing you!

May 2010
Jersey Lavender Farm is open again for yet another season! The greening up of the lavender bushes has been quite slow this year due to very little rain and cold winds, but the sun is shining and the gardens are still looking pretty. We will hope to see the first flush of colour on the lavender in about 3 weeks. In the meantime the chickens are hatching chicks, and the doves fledglings are learning to fly. Baby rabbits brave the open ground from time to time but they are wary of  the new farm dog, Jumble. Not that they need worry - Jumble only wants to play with his ball!
Sprigs cafe is bustling. Our chef Kate Whatuwira is back this year with a fab menu, mouth- watering cakes, and her superb lavender tea. Lavender, of course,  features in a range of her other savoury and sweet specialities. She is also producing gorgeous lavender and lemon biscuits which can be purchased in Sprigs shop.They make a lovely local gift. 
This year we are launching some new products (due to very popular demand!) in Sprigs shop and on our website - Jersey Lavender Handwash and  Lavender, Lemon and Lime Marmalade. Try some and let us know your thoughts. Our Culinary Lavender continues to sell so well that we will be drying twice as much lavender this year to cope with the demand. The lavender-in-food craze seems to be spreading!

January 2010
It''s snowing!

December 2009
Winter has finally arrived in Jersey - blustery winds, lots of rain and a drop in temperatures. Having said that, the weather is still very mild for this time of year and we have even had quite a bit of sun!  For us it is a time for clearing up the grounds, sorting out the greenhouses, for bonfires and for lots of leaf-sweeping. Our chickens (rather more numerous this year for some reason) are missing being fed by farm visitors and have been coming closer to the cafe in the hope of some tit bits and company. Our main activity at this time takes place in the Cafe and shop. We have been busy serving warming meals, comforting cakes and snacks and plenty of hot drinks. The shop is looking fantastic now that all the Christmas decorations and gifts are on display and all our new lines have been selling fast. So, all in all, we are in the mood for a really wonderful Christmas!

 August 2009
The lavender harvest is now coming to a close, with the final distillation taking place on Sunday 16th. The better weather this year has certainly increased our oil yields. The quality of the oil is looking excellent too, which is very pleasing as we have had a great demand for our oil - and the resulting products - from our visitors and customers who come from all over the world. We have also loved seeing more locals visiting the farm with their friends and families. Our new chef settled in to Sprigs Cafe extremely well and has produced some new and original menu items, including the very popular Traditional Afternoon Tea with all the trimmings, served on our beautiful 3-tiered cake stands. A great hit with continental visitors!  All in all it has been a fun and bustling high season.

April 2009
The farm and shop & cafe is now open. The weather is glorious but with a spring chill, and everything looks great. Hopefully the sun will bring the lavender on and the harvest will be a good one. The shop has a fantastic range of lavender goods as well as jewellery, and many other items. The cafe is buzzing and we a