Texas Lavender . . .

. . . A Weekend in 

Blanco, Texas

Instead of blogging this past week, I collected my girlfriends -- encouraging them to drop their deadlines, abandon their routines and leave their husbands (just for a few days) -- to go explore the lavender farms around Blanco, Texas, the lavender capital of Texas.

Photo courtesy of Blanco

What fun we had! The five of us rented a large house in San Marcos, Texas, where we sat out the first evening under a towering Oak on a large side veranda. All the while laughing. And drinking cool white wines. And tearing off small chunks of fresh breads as well as snacking on cherry tomatoes and chips dipped into a yummy Peach lavender salsa. Oh, and let's not forget the sampling of a tasty Texas-made white cheese -- and finishing it all off with almonds and a little dark Chocolate, natch. 

We did some exploring, first visiting a couple of lavender farms:

My friend Carole with her new friend at the Wimberley Lavender Farm.

The farm's gift shop. . .

... where they sold everything from small lavender starter plants, to cookbooks, drink mixes and lotions.

The Miller Creek Lavender Farm outside Johnson City.

The owners said an ongoing drought has greatly impacted the lavender this year. 

(pray for rain)

Last year at this time, it all looked more like this:

Photo courtsey of Blanco

Nevertheless, products were plentiful. There were lavender-infused wines, lotions, soaps, teas . . . well, you name it, they had it! It was all about lavender!

My friend Pamela in a lavender chair! The picnic tables, signs, balloons, even portable toilets, the farm fences, and also the hats -- all lavender!

More chairs-in-waiting at the Johnson City farm.

 A few of the products we purchased.

Many of the farms sell products online, so check them out:

www.millercreeklavender.com
johnson city

http://www.hillcountrylavender.com/
blanco

http://www.blancoriverlavenderco.com/

blanco

A recipe for a refreshing drink perfect to cool off hot days -- from another lavender festival. This one is coming up -- from July 15 to 17 in Palisade, Colorado. For more info, go here.

In the meantime, enjoy the drink recipe below -- and cheers!

Purple Passion Lavender-Mint Punch found on recipezaar.com
A favorite of Kathy Kimbrough

Punch
3 T. fresh mint leaves
2-3 T. fresh lavender blossoms or 1T. dried lavender blossoms
6 c. boiling water
1 liter ginger ale, chilled
1 c. purple grape juice

Garnish
mint leaf ice cubes
thinly sliced orange (or lemons)
lavender flowers
mint sprig

MINT LEAF ICE CUBES: To make the mint leaf ice cubes, place one whole mint leaf in each ice cube tray compartment. Fill the tray with water and freeze until completely solid.

TEA/PUNCH: Place the fresh mint leaves and lavender in a teapot, pour the boiling water over the leaves and brew for 10 minutes. Allow tea to cool completely. Strain the tea and add the grape juice. Add the ginger ale and mint ice cubes just before serving. Garnish each serving with an orange or lemon slice, if desired. Makes approximately 12 cups.

Photo courtsey of Blanco

Someone "along the way" told me the best cooking lavender is Provence.

Photo courtsey of Blanco

More information about lavender -- from the Blanco Web site; it answers how to grow this lovely scented plant, as well as when to harvest and how to use it:

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing, Planting, and Caring for Lavender

    •    Look for plants in nurseries in 4" to 1-gallon containers
    •    Most L. plants are started from cuttings taken from Mother plants
    •    Plant lavender in a sunny place in well-drained soil (it is not too happy if it's too wet or humid)
    •    Before planting, clear ground of weeds (small lavender plants cannot compete with aggressive weeds, and weeding after they are planted can be a huge hassle)
    •    Set plants 24" - 36" apart (trust us, they will grow as big as 3' x 3', if they are happy)
    •    Plants should be pruned every year, after blooming. Cut back not only the flower stem, but also about a third of the gray-leaved stems as well
    •    After established, lavender rarely needs watering, unless in drought conditions
    •    Water well until the soil is completely moist
    •    Give it space for air circulation

Growing Lavender in Containers

    •    Important considerations are size of container, adequate light, drainage, water, pruning and feeding
    •    The container should be proportional to the size of the plant and rootball (equal or greater that top of plant)
    •    Locate lavender containers in a sunny location (about 8 hr. a day)
    •    Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in the container you select
    •    Add an inch or two of gravel to the bottom of the container for adequate drainage, water and drying of soil between waterings
    •    Water when the soil is dry (not daily watering) — not too wet, but not dried out either
    •    Lavender likes to be repotted yearly, and this is a good time to mix a time-release fertilizer into the potting mix
    •    Start your container with plants, not seeds

Harvesting Lavender Blooms

    •    It takes about three years for a lavender to reach full size
    •    Harvest when the bottom third of the flower spike is in bloom
    •    Cut the flower stems during the cool of the morning
    •    When dry, rub the flower heads over a bowl to loosen them from the stem
    •    Store buds in a glass container in a darkened place to keep them fresh

Using Lavender Essential Oils to Scent Your World

    •    Add a few drops of lavender oil to oil lamps or lamp bulb ring.
    •    Refresh sachets, lavender buds, potpourii with a drop of oil
    •    Lavender oil may be used on burns, insect bites, nettle stings and cuts for relief and speedy healing
    •    Add to vaporizer to battle colds, coughs and infections
    •    Add a few drops to a hot bath, close the door and inhale the vapor for the ultimate relaxation experience
    •    Lavender oil is wonderful for crafting, soaps, candles and lotions and colognes. However, use lavender flowers, rather than essential oil in food or drink
    •    Calming, refreshing and relaxing
    •    Repels moths

Blanco currently has about 10 lavender farms in the area. Interesting that it all began with a photographer. "In 1999, Robb Kendrick and his wife, Jeannie Ralston, pioneered the way for a new agricultural industry in the area. Kendrick, a National Geographic photographer, while shooting a story for the magazine in Provence, France, noticed that the hilly terrain and the scorching hot summers there were similar to that found at his land near Blanco in the Texas Hill Country.
In 1999, the Kendricks planted 2,000 plants, paving the way for the current Blanco lavender growers, many of who were inspired by seminars conducted by the Kendricks." (from Blanco Web site)

 A garden plaque laying in a farm's herb garden. 

Blanco -- not too far from the university town where we stayed -- held its 7th annual festival this past weekend. I suggest you mark your calendars for next year! And while our outing ended all too soon, I did take off on my own to visit Fredericksburg (where I also meet up with a fellow blogger who graciously served lunch at her fabulous home; you'll find out in the next upcoming post who), and friends and family.

My friends and me (I'm in green on the far right) enjoying lunch in Wimberley, Texas -- at The Leaning Pear, which featured a recommended watermelon gazpacho.

I would love to hear from you . . . please leave a comment below. Tell me, what do you do when you escape with friends? And, please take a moment to leave a comment at the post below -- as an entry into the GiveAway. UPrinting so graciously is donating 100 customized postcards. If you win, you get a customized postcard. I love it and thank them!

Love Where You Live