The Lavender Project

daybreak lavender farm
all-natural herbal soaps, organic made by hand pure spa treatments

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THE LAVENDER PROJECT

DayBreak Lavender Farm wants to share it's lavender success and learning with other farmers who might
be interested in adding lavender to their crop mix. Our dream is to one day have a North East Ohio Lavender
Festival such as the one in Sequim Valley, Washington (you can read all about it at this url:
http://www.lavenderfestival.com). Of course, that will mean having lavender farms for visitors to tour and that's
why we've started The Lavender Project ... to interest other farmers in growing lavender, a great high value crop.
Lavender is a perennial and only requires three conditions to grow happily for a full decade:
1. Blazing sun.
2. Excellent drainage. Wetness will kill lavender faster than anything including drought.
3. Sweet, alkaline soil. We amended our former cow paster with organic, timed-release lime.
The information here is designed to get you thinking and started. It's basically the story of how we began,
what books helped us and where we ordered our plants. Don't plant seeds only small plants. Seeds are never true
to varity and you won't know what you're getting until it's too late.
In 2000, four years ago, Michael Slyker, my husband, began with a test bed of 150 plants of 13 varieties
planted over two years to determine which would do best in our location. We now have ploughed a 2 acre field
and are planting that one quarter at a time every year.
We think that will work well because it gives a chance to change our mix of varieties to respond to market
conditions and it also means when we have to replant in 8 to 10 years, we won't have to re-do the entire field at
once. We will be able to replant 1/4 acre at a time which will be easier.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us. We love our lavender; it's such a tough,
undemanding crop which will bring a good return on your investment aside from bringing your many hours of joy
and beauty!!
CONTACT
Address:
Jody Byrne
Daybreak Lavender Farm
2129 Frost Rd., Streetsboro, OH 44241
Phone: 1.330.212.3135
Fax: 1.330.626.1749
Email: soapplease1@aol.com
#1: Lavender: The Fact$ & Figure$

There are two key objectives to The Lavender Project. First, to establish lavender as a high value, low
maintenance, sustainable, specialty crop that can play an important role in a farmers diversification plan.
2129 frost road, streetsboro, oh 44241, fone: 1.330.212.3135, fax:

1.330.626.1749
daybreaklavenderfarm.com

Demand outstrips supply for pure, natural, organic, farm-grown lavender and is growing in direct proportion to
the consumers demand for all things natural.
One acre of lavender will yield well for 8 10 years. An acre will have 34 rows of 80 plants. For all uses,
the expected growing time from establishing 4 cuttings until first full harvest is 3 years. Peak harvest is 5 years.
Preliminary harvests may happen as soon as 1 year. Thats actually a plus because it means you have three years
to figure everything out.
Projected return on investment, for fresh or dried bundled lavender as example: 1 st Harvest: $13,600 per
acre which is $5 per dried 2 bundle from each plant. Peak harvest is 2.5 bundles/plant x 2720 plants x $5 =
$34,000 per acre. Lavender production will create a sustainable crop and economic base that can spur on farm and
off farm jobs for an entire area not just one farm. And second, to connect NE Ohios farmers young, middling
and senior with the lavender culture and the attendant portfolio of opportunities.
Using lavender as a cash crop has several advantages:
Crop Commoditization: NE Ohios key crops are: corn, soy, wheat and oats. Niche production can be an
important part of a diversified crop scape.
Profit: Portage County sells $24M in commodity crops and livestock. 64% of those farms earn less than
$10,000/yrly. To keep folks in farming, it must be profitable.
Attractive Crop: Lavender, and the products that can be made from it, will attract new, young farmers.
Lavender growing has appeal to the young. And to retirees in need of pension supplement. It is a crop with an
image and a culture. Franklin Country in Western Massachusetts (100 miles west of Boston) and the Olympic
Peninsula of Washington have built entire economies around the lavender product portfolio. Ohio can too.
Runaway Development: Lavender production gives farmers a viable and attractive alternative to selling to
residential and mall developers. Portage Cty went from 3,500 to 750 farms between 1900 1997. 80% drop. The
Impermanence Syndrome: When one farmer sells, his neighbor wonders, cuts back. For every acre of farmland
sold for development, production stops on three.
#2: Getting Started In Lavender

THREE THINGS LAVENDER MUST HAVE
1. Blazing sunlight.
2. Sweet alkaline soil.
3. Excellent drainage. Lavender will die in wet conditions.

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CULTIVATION/PROPAGATION. Plants are ordered in May and set out in the field in June. Do not plant
seeds; they are not true to variety. 2 pot plants are roughly $2.25 each plus shipping from Washington.
Sources for plants are listed in the bibliography.
We began with a 1/5 acre test bed with 145 Lavender plants of 8 varieties in an open field, NE exposure. No
protection except black plastic or straw mulch (thats a test too) to keep weeds down. Last year we expanded
this with 750 4 greenhouse grown plants selected first for hardiness, disease resistance and then various
properties and colors.
10 SELECTED VARIETIES: Color is purple unless otherwise noted. Augustafolias: Munstead
(culinary), Royal Velvet (drying, blue), Royal Purple (drying), Jean Davis (drying, pink). The Lavindins:
Grosso (oil) Seal (oil, drying), Super (drying, oil), Provence (oil, culinary), White (drying), and Provence (oil,
drying, culinary). Stoechia and Dentata not frost hardy. Will test in later greenhouse trial. Pterostachys
lavenders are low producers.
ORGANIC LAVENDER I believe this is very important since much lavender is used in food or skin
care, that is being applied to the skin. And its well known that anything that goes on the skin ends up in the bodys
lungs, kidney, liver and lymph systems. At DayBreak, all pest management, fertilization and mulching activities
are organic. We use only compost and ground oyster shells for fertilization. We do no pest management. Lavender
is clean, tough crop.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION Known as the Swiss Army Knife of herbs for its
diverse uses, the lavender portfolio can be divided into 8 marketing opportunities: 1. Landscape Horticulture. 2.
Agri-Tourism. 3. Raw materials for Natural/Organic Cosmetics. 4. Retail Crafts. 5.Lifestyle/home decor accents. 6.
Foods. 7; Medicines/Remedies:. 8. Homekeeping. Present above all to producers as a portfolio of opportunities with
contacts and resources in each. Project Lavender members will specialize in one or more categories and share their
learnings at meetings. Project members will explore a co-op marketing identity with market specialists in each of the
8 market areas. In each area there is opportunity for producers, educators, crafters. At all times, every aspect of The
Lavender Project will be open to the public farmers and consumers alike -- to serve as a detailed chronicle and
living model of successful small-scale lavender production and harvest..
PROPAGATION Eventually, to cut costs, we hope to be able to take our own cuttings from 15 cm. semihardwood cuttings taken in autumn, placed in organic medium, cultivated under lights, carefully hardened off
and set out in the spring.
#3 Harvesting lavender
Lavender flowers are not only beautiful on the plant, they make great dried flowers as well. Timing is key when
harvesting lavender flowers for wands, dried everlastings, potpourri, and oil production.
The best time is following a few days of dry weather, during the late morning after any dew has evaporated.
Picking lavender flowers during dry weather shortens the drying process because the stalks will have less water in

1.330.626.1749

them. The cooler morning air temperature is important because lavender oil dissipates as the temperature rises.
Also, as the day wears on, there will be more bees to contend with. I do not harvest flowers on rainy days, as
many of the constituents of the essence of lavender are water soluble and will leech out. Dry lavender stalks in
bunches. Tie the stems together and hang them in an area with plenty of air circulation but low light. If possible,
place a sheet to catch the lavender buds that drop off. They can used for lots of things.
When harvesting flowers for everlastings, I check the dark flower heads daily and collect them only at the swollen
bud stage, when just one or two of the flowers have opened on the flower head. Picking the flower heads at this
time preserves their dark color and ensures that the flowers will stay attached to the stalk once dried. Picking
flower heads once they have passed this stage results in paler flower colors and shattered flower heads.
When harvesting lavender for potpourri, I'm less concerned about shattered flower heads and flower colors than I
am when collecting flowers for drying on the stalk to make everlastings. I don't harvest white or pink flowering
varieties for drying on the stalk, as their colors turn muddy when dried. However, they are fine for potpourri or
sachet making. L. angustifolia and its cultivars are the best lavenders to use for potpourri because the oil quality is
the best.
Lavandin is the only lavender to use for wand making, as its stalks are 18 to 24 inches long. When cutting fresh
lavender stalks for a wand, I cut at the base of the stalk, right at the point of the first leaf. I use my pruners, but a
sharp pair of scissors can also be used. Once the stalks are cut, I gather a handful together and secure them with a
rubber band and lay them flat until I'm ready to bring them inside.
When drying single flower stalks, I lay them out in rows on newspapers in a dark, dry room. Keeping the flowers
out of sunlight preserves their color. When drying large amounts, I hang the handful I collected in the garden from
hooks in my barn, where there's plenty of air circulation and low light. It usually takes one to two weeks for
lavender flowers to dry in hot summer weather. I check them every couple of days to make sure no mold has
developed. The lavender scent volatizes quickly, but it can be refreshed by adding lavender oil or crushing some
of the flowers. Store dried lavender out of direct sunlight to preserve its color and scent.
#4: Ways We Could Work Together To Build Lavender As A Crop In Ohio

These are possible ways we could help one another. 1. Lavender Producer Recruitment Campaign in concert
with Extension, VoAg instructors, farmer organizations. We could get together to create & distribute a free regional
Farmers Guide To Lavender Resource And Suppliers and info packets detailing one acre of lavender can produce. 2.
Lavender Research Library & Copy Center 14 volumes for farmers, schools and educators. 3. Friends Of
Lavender Advocacy Group For all who appreciate the uses of lavender. Start with a dedicated nucleus of 5 and grow
to 35 50+. Each invited to join the following committees: Outreach & Education, Horticulture, Crafts & Culinary
and Marketing. They spread the word via initiatives below. 4. Lavender Project Quarterly Meetings Featuring
Lavender Project results/learnings, growing & marketing experts. 5. Kick-Off Event At Daybreak Farm full PR to
community leaders, local and area newspapers, regional magazines and TV stations. 6. Garden Tours: From June

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October for craft, church, 4H, FFA, scout groups. 7. Monthly PR Kits To build awareness/demand. Seasonally
themed kits to all farm & general market outlets. 8. Group Talks Lavender History talk and crafts demonstration.
#5: Learning More About Lavnder : Bibliography
Remember: Current references on lavender cultivation are not relevant to our regional climate and soil . I buy all my
books used at www.amazon.com. Some current standards and/or lavender references are:
1.) Lavender: The Growers Guide, Virginia McNaughton, Timber Press. The finest reference regarding
varities.
2.) Lavender: Practical Inspirations For Natural Gifts, Country Crafts and Decorative Displays, Tessa Evelegh,
Lorenz Books
3.) Lavender: History, Taxonomy & Production by Joe-Ann McCoy, PhD. candidate and Dr. Jeanine Davis,
N.C. State University, and Dr Dwight Camper, Clemson University.
4.) ATTRA: Lavender As An Alternative Crop at http://www. Attra.org/pub.html. Each has extensive lavender
bibliographies.
5.) The Genus Lavandula, Timber Press, by Tim Upson & Susan Andrews, 2004

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#6: Sources For Lavender Plants
I buy my plants from Victor's Lavender and have been very happy with their stock
and service.
Angel Farm
5883 Old Olympic Highway
(360) 681-0348
Creekside Flowers
104 Creekside Dr.
(360) 361-4835
Oliver's Lavender & Herb

Farm
82 Cameron Acres Lane
(360) 681-3789
Olympic Lavender Farm
1432 Marine Dr.
(360) 681-3388
Grandpa's Lavender Patch

181 Dawley Rd.
(360) 681-0721
Olympic Meadow Farms

154 Bell Meadow Lane
(360) 683-9657
Jardin du Soleil
3932 Sequim-Dungeness
Way
(360) 582-1185
Port Williams Lavender

1442 Port Williams Rd.
(360) 582-9196
Lost Mountain Lavender

1541 Taylor Cut-Off Rd.
(360) 681-2782
Purple Haze Lavender

180 Bell Bottom Rd.
(360) 683-1714
Robert & Laurel Ann's
Rainbow Farm
142 Towne Rd.
9360) 683-6068
Sequim Lavender Farm
River Rd.
(360) 779-8141
Victor's Lavender
P.O. Box 2293
Sequim, WA 98382
360-661-7930
victlavender@yahoo.
com
Sequim Valley Ranch
189 Coulter Rd.
(360) 681-3000
Willow Farm
254 Howe Rd.
(360) 452-7342
Lovely Lavender ~ Herb of the Year 1999!

Undoubtedly, the scent of lavender reminds us of other times and places! So widespread and well loved, lavender
has been gathered and grown since ancient times, used medicinally and cosmetically.

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A member of the mint family, the genus Lavendula contains about 30 different species, in addition to several
naturally occuring, as well as cultivated hybrids. It is thought the origins of the name lavender comes from Latin:
lavo or lavare, meaning "to be livid or bluish", hence the flower was named 'Livendula'.
Lavenders are primarily found in countries bordering the western Mediterranean region, but are grown in France,
Italy, England, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Australia, Algeria, Morocco, India, Iran, Oman, Ethiopia, the
former Yugoslavia and as far north as Norway! However, no where in the world does lavender grow to such
perfection as in England. English lavender is much more aromatic and has far greater delicacy of scent than the
French grown, and the essentail oil fetches ten times the price!
Uses & Properties Attributed to Lavender
The popularity of lavender has continued for centuries, serving as a key ingredient in soaps, shampoos, perfumes,
toilet water, sachets, potpourris, seasoning blends and aromatherapy.
Through the ages, lavender has scented human history. In fact. it is thought the reference in the Bible to the
spikenard is the variety spica.
In ancient Egypt, lavender was a favorite ingredient in incense.
Romans believed the poisonous asp made its nest in the lavender bushes -- needless to say, lavender was quite
expensive in those times!
Through the Dark Ages, sprigs of lavender were carried to ward off the plague. In the Middle Ages, lavender was
considered a magical herb, to bring love.
French emperors used it in perfumery. In the 16th century, Provencal pheasants made lavender oil to heal wounds
and expel intestinal parasites!
During American Colonial times, lavender was used as a moth repellent and an early version of 'air freshener' by
"strewing" bunches of dried lavender, sweet annie, wormwood and southernwood -- scattered on the floors in
early spring, to be trampled upon.
Other uses include embalming corpses, taming lions and tigers, repelling insects, in lacquers, varnishes, cleaning
products, and used as a dressing for wounds in WWI.
Studies indicate lavender oil to be a central nervous system depressant, which may account for its use as a mild
relaxant in aromatherapy. Applied in various manners, other effects attributed to lavender are as a promoter of
bile secretion, circulatory stimulant, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, antiseptic and antibacterial agent.
Primary use of lavender today is as a fragrant ornamental herb in our gardens and landscapes. Highly prized for
use in fragrant, decorative crafts for the home, lavender is an herb crafter's favorite.

1.330.626.1749

The Lavender Project

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daybreak lavender farm

all-natural herbal soaps, organic made by hand pure spa treatments