My Neighbor’s Garden – by Kay Faught
We live in an amazingly beautiful area, and I am so pleased to report that our Applegate Valley neighbors have added to that beauty! A surprise to many here may be the growing number of lavender farms sprinkled throughout the “wine valley.” Recently, I took a tour of several new lavender farms and wanted to share a bit of what I discovered at each, unique family farm.
Jim & Dottie Becker of Goodwin Creek Gardens
Jim and Dotti Becker of “Goodwin Greek Gardens” are the gurus of lavender in the Applegate Valley. The couple is loved and respected for their knowledge in the field, and it was exciting to talk to them on how lavender has changed in the minds of the consumer as well as use. In 35 years, they have seen lavender plantings grow from only 2-3, to more than a 100 varieties! Their collecting has evolved to over 80+ varieties, with 40 in the ground or in pots, including their own developed variety! Although they operate a retail nursery, it is evident that they both still love to garden! Jim still loves to watch things grow and Dotti loves to weed! The Becker’s began in lavender, using it for dried flowers and wands, but Jim explained that many gardeners now buy and get into Lavender for a variety of reasons, ranging from culinary to medicinal, far beyond the reaches of aromatherapy!
John & Bonnie Rinaldi of Lavender Fields Forever!
Bonnie and John Rinaldi moved to Ruch to become a part of supporting a small farm lifestyle. Lavender, their choice by default for the land, in 2011, became “Lavender Fields Forever!” Bonnie says she has learned to truly love Lavender and loves brushing-up against it and getting lost in smells. John’s degree in horticulture and love of gardening drove his desire to share it with others. The large barn on the property offered them a chance to bring in a small distillery so visitors can make their own oil and share in the experience. Their inaugural crop this year offers one a chance to share their 7 varieties that focus on “English,” for culinary and “Lavandins” for the oil. They also select “on-bloom times,” sharing the colors and blooms with visitors, further expanding the experience. As we stood in the early morning sun in the fresh mist of recent irrigation, Bonnie spoke of how she loves the fresh cool morning air, listening to the bees starting to hum. What a beautiful spot!
Deborah Thompson of
Applegate Valley Lavender Farm
Deborah Thompson, of “Applegate Valley Lavender Farm,” is from a homestead family in the Applegate. She began her fields in 2005, looking for a cash crop that complimented the surrounding vineyards. She now has over 200 plants, concentrating on “Intermedia – Hybrids” for the oils and “English” for culinary purposes. Deborah’s focus is creating more agri-tourism in the Applegate Valley and bringing people back to the country! She is amazed at all that can be done with Lavender, from culinary to aromatherapy to medicinal, as more and more is being learned. Sunset time at her field is her favorite time when all is quiet, cool, and her chickens and geese surround her in a country setting.
The Loughgran’s of
Two Sisters Lavender Farm
My last visit this early morning was unique and served as a good example of “not judging a book by its cover”! Dan and Mary Anne Loughran started “Two Sisters Lavender Farm” (named for their two daughters), in 2008, as total novices. Amazingly, Mary Anne always dreamed of a lavender farm, but it was only a “pipe dream.” Low and behold, health issues and traveling brought them to Williams and a mentoring situation with Dotti and Jim at Goodwin Farms, mentioned earlier in this article! What started as a “test garden” of lavender became a field of 800 starts. It is worth your time when you visit to discover the focus of Loughran’s fields: as you drive in you are not hit by the beauty of rows of lavender swaying in the sun, but quite the opposite. This year, they have been cutting the plants back and “beating them up,” as Dan says, to develop better and stronger plants and roots. What started for Dan as a cash crop, became a love for propagation and putting a start in the ground!
They are organic and will go for “certification” for what is now 1600 plants, and then will pursue commercial avenues. Mary Anne is the “weed queen” and loves weeding in her lavender, so it broke her heart last year when Dan again cut them back! They shared much of what they have learned, including that Lavender is one of the most incorrectly-labeled plants, stressing the importance of plant selection from someone with proper experience I urged both to continue educating and sharing their development steps with others, and encourage their hopes of a strong, vibrant, and certified-organic, Lavender crop in the future.
I thoroughly enjoyed the variety offered this morning and urge you to take the “Lavender Trail” tour, meet your neighbors and learn about Lavender!
On July 12, 13, & 14 the Oregon Lavender Festival is held at lavender farms all over the state of Oregon. The farms in Southern Oregon will be open extra hours and plan special craft and distillation demonstrations along with specialty lavender food items, artisan booths and more to celebrate the weekend festival. For more information, please visit OregonLavenderDestinations.com and ‘SouthernOregonLavenderTrail‘ on Facebook.
Kay Faught of Blue Door Garden Store
Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N Third St. Specializing in paraphernalia for the home gardener; she carries garden gifts, decor, and a wide variety of pots, tools, gloves, and organic product.
Posted July 3, 2013
Kay is the owner of Blue Door Garden Store, located at 155 N. 3rd, behind a big blue door. Specializing in garden gifts and décor, she also carries a wide variety of tools, gloves, and organic product. Visit Blue Door Garden Store online at