Harvesting Through the Heat

Like every farm, there’s always work to do—no matter what Mother Nature has in store. That includes the days when temperatures climb toward 100 degrees.

When a heat wave arrives during lavender harvest season, the plants don’t wait. The lavender still needs to be cut, so we adapt.

Before the extreme heat reached our area, the Lavender Brook Farm crew harvested more than 3,000 bundles of lavender. With at least that much still waiting in the field, our work continues—just a little differently.

To keep everyone safe, we’ve adjusted our routine. We start harvesting earlier in the morning, take frequent breaks for water and shade, and stop cutting when the heat becomes too intense. While these changes slow our pace, the safety and well-being of our crew will always come first.

One result of the prolonged heat is that some of our lavender won’t be harvested at the ideal stage for dried bundles, wreaths, and a few other products. The good news is that the harvest will still be put to wonderful use. Much of this lavender will become fragrant sachets, filled neck rolls, and our pure lavender essential oil through distillation.

Every growing season brings its own challenges, and this year’s heat wave is just one chapter in the story. We’re grateful for our hardworking crew and for everyone who supports local farming. Thank you for following along as we bring in another lavender harvest.