Lavender Farms

Everybody knows about strawberry and pumpkin farms, but did you know that just outside of town there is a small company called Hill Country Lavender Farms? It is located in Blanco, which is now known as the “Lavender Capital Of Texas” because of their annual lavender festival.

This is a small fraction of the choices you can pick from at the Hill Country Lavender Farms in Blanco Texas. Photo by Gabe Kotick.
This is a small fraction of the choices you can pick from at the Hill Country Lavender Farms in Blanco Texas. Photo by Gabe Kotick.

The history of Hill Country Lavender Farms is not a path taken by many. They opened in spring of 2001 and mostly sold to florists in Austin and San Antonio. On the weekend, they opened their doors to the public, inviting people inside to pick their own lavender. When people first walk in, their eyes are drawn to a barnlike building, which is the shop. In their shop, people can find various items from lavender scented bug spray to lavender flavored chapstick. The owners also have a table set up under an enormous tree. The table is located there for people to pay for the lavender they picked. Customers are handed scissors and a twist tie. The cost for the lavender is very low, at $5. The only condition is that the picked lavender has to fit inside the twisty tie.

On weekends, the company holds a “lunchtime learning session”. This is when people eat under a giant tree and workers tell the audience how to grow their own lavender.

They have rows and rows of fresh lavender ready for picking. Although it is not open right now, you can still get a taste of the experience in May of 2016.