Question 1

Why is lavender beneficial to me?

Accepted Answer

The healing properties of lavender have been thoroughly documented and researched for hundreds of years.  It has been demonstrated to have a sedative effect on human nervous system via fragrance and ingestion, that is, it can assist our responses to negative stress and anxiety but not affect our essential brain functions.  It is known to uplift and revive the spirits of someone feeling emotionally depleted and depressed.  It has excellent antiseptic action for the topical treatment of external wounds, burns, sprains and abrasions as well as being an excellent insect repellent and will reduce the itching of insect bites.  It is also the first choice in the treatment of insomnia and can help in the management of migraines and headaches.

Question 2

When is the lavender in flower?

Accepted Answer

Our commercial lavender varieties flower late spring and early summer (November/December) before we have to harvest for buds and essential oil distillation.

Question 3

When can I visit the farm?

Accepted Answer

We are a working family farm that opens to the public only when the lavender is in flower, seasonally and not every day of the year.     Please note we do not have an on-site cafe or public toilet and cannot accommodate you if you 'drop' in because you are curious.

Keep an eye on this website and our social media Instagram and Facebook for dates and details about farm visits.

Question 4

Which retail shops stock your product?

Accepted Answer

Our products are stocked at multiple retail outlets throughout the Blue Mountains, we are thankful for the support of:
+ Echo Point Tourist Information Office and Glenbrook Tourist Information Office, Prince Henry Cliff Walk, Katoomba and GWH, Glenbrook;
+ Scenic World, Cliff Drive Katoomba NSW 2785 World's Steepest Railway, Iconic Skyway & Aerial Cablecar, Rainforest Walk & Shop;
+  Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, City Art Gallery, shop and cafe, Katoomba;
+ Moontree, 157 Leura Mall, Leura a retail shop featuring fragrant candles, gifts and homewares;
+ Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Bells Line of Road, Mt Tomah, breathtaking mountain gardens and shop;
+ Foothills Eco, 1a Ross Street, Glenbrook NSW 2773, Quality local made goods and artisan wares;
+ The Lolly Bug, Old Great Western Highway, Little Hartley NSW 2790, offering a unique range of sweets, gifts and gourmet goods;
+ The Milbrey Kitchen and Store, 163 Oberon Street, Oberon NSW 2787, a local restaurant and store in the heart of Oberon with a carefully curated selection of handmade and local products;
+ Signature Framing, 1B Wolgan Street, Portland NSW 2783, local framing, art and giftware shop.

We regularly have a stall at The Rocks Market on George Street, Sydney on weekends where you can come and sample our products and meet the makers.  Check our social media posts 24 hours ahead to see which days we will be attending as mostly we do one day either the Saturday or the Sunday.

Question 5

How do I use lavender in cooking?

Accepted Answer

Cooking with lavender is just as easy as with any other herb however Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) is the only variety of lavender to use in cooking.   Generally, only the flower buds are used (dried or fresh), because they contain the essential oil of lavender which is where the flavour and goodness lie.

The easiest way to incorporate lavender in your recipes is to INFUSE the buds into any liquid that requires heating, for instance, when you melt butter for cakes or slices, add a few spoonfuls of buds and let the flavour infuse for around half an hour before straining out the soggy buds (squeeze all the flavour from them) and using the liquid as normal.

We make a 2:2:1 ratio water:sugar:lavender syrup which we use in our home-made ice cream with an added drop or two of L. angustifolia essential oil to give it a lavender kick.  Bruce’s own lavender recipe had many visitors declaring it the best ice cream they had ever tasted!

I particularly love using lavender everyday to service my tea addiction, herbal, minty and fresh combined with lemonbalm in the morning or paired with Earl Grey or English Breakfast black tea for a mid afternoon boost.  I am looking forward to winter when I can finish my day with a soothing cup of lavender hot chocolate too.

Lavender can also be substituted in savoury dishes instead of rosemary, the floral citrus notes cut through fatty meats like lamb but are delicate enough to enhance fish and chicken.

Dried lavender stores well and retains its aroma and flavour (like any woody herb) for many months in an airtight jar kept away from sunlight.

Try these ideas or use them to spark creativity in the kitchen:

* To create lavender infused sugar, seal two teaspoons of dried buds into several cups of sugar in an airtight container for a week. Use this sugar to sweeten beverages or cookies.

* Create lavender honey by adding four teaspoons of chopped lavender blossoms to one cup of warmed honey. Add one tablespoon of lime or lemon juice. Steep for one hour, then reheat and strain to remove blooms.

* Use lavender buds in marinades and meat rubs, or toss whole lavender stems on the grill to infuse meat with a complex, herbal smoke flavour.

I hope this has given you some ideas to incorporate this versatile herb into your everyday kitchen and benefit from the wonderful fragrance and medicinal properties that lavender offers!

Question 6

Do you have a stall at any local Blue Mountains markets?

Accepted Answer

At the moment we are not attending any Blue Mountains markets regularly.  If you are in the area and would like to purchase products, you are most welcome to order online and opt for free pick up from the farm (we arrange with you the best time for pick up from our letterbox).

NEW! POP-UP STALL AT THE FARM!  Keep an eye on our social media Instagram or Facebook for announcement of dates and times of our occasional pop-up market stall at our farm.  On these days you can come and sample all our products and meet the farmer and maker!

Question 7

Can I buy your products in Sydney?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we will regularly attend The Rocks Markets in Circular Quay, Sydney. Check our socials for posts about which day of the weekend we will be there.

FAQ