My best friend Lavender

Lynda in her lavender field

Moving into our house two and a half years ago, there was a mature lavender in the front yard. However, it was split in the center and the stalks had become woody. I harvested the buds in late October and after chatting with some of the local gardeners, found out that in fact lavender needs some regular pruning to keep it growing nicely. After cutting it back to my dismay the following spring/summer it did not survive. It had just outlived its natural life. So, I replaced it with a fresh, new lavender hoping to see it mature and produce many beautiful, scented stems for both myself and the bees to enjoy.

Lavender is one plant that can please just about any gardener. From the many varieties to choose from, to all the various purposes it is used for, it’s an all-around versatile addition to a garden bed, and yes, it is Deer resistant. In Sooke the garden zone ranges from 7b – 8b, also there are many areas in Sooke and on the island that have their own microclimates, which brings a more tropical feel.

Lynda Dowling from Happy Valley Lavender Farm began her love and adventures with lavender in 1987. With a 3-year-old son and a new baby daughter on the way, in 1988 she felt the only way for her to make it to Provence would be to create her own Provence right in her own backyard which turned into Happy Valley Lavender Farm. Garden club members can join Lynda via zoom on March 23rd at 7pm as she will explore the many facets of this humble, loyal, fragrant plant from growing to eating it.

Mark your calendars, the annual Plant Sale is back on Saturday, May 7th from 10-2pm which is open to the public. We will post the location closer to the date, watch for posters, check back on the website or our Facebook page for all the information. New members are always welcome, join us!