Lavender Lane: A Scent-Sational Farm

Lavender Lane is a specialty lavender farm located 15 minutes south of Ann Arbor in Milan.  As educators, my wife and I founded our farm in 2014 and have since expanded it to include over 5,000 plants; we grow over 16 varieties of lavender in colors of purple, pink, white and blue! Aside from its scent-sational aroma and breathtaking views, lavender keeps its appealing scent for years, can be used in cooking, promotes sound sleep, uplifts one’s mood and calms the mind and body!

lavendar lane peopleTwo main varieties of lavender are most prevalent on a northern-latitude lavender farm:  lavandula angustifolia, more commonly known as English Lavender, and lavandula intermedia, more commonly know as a “hybrid” lavender or “French lavender”.

Culinary lavender, known as the “grandmother of all herbs”, is almost exclusively English Lavender.  On our farm, we grow 10 varieties of culinary Lavender; each can be used interchangeably to delight even the most sensitive of palates, yet chefs will easily discern each variety’s distinction in taste and aroma.  Our pink varieties such as Jean Davis and Pink Melissa tend to be on the fruitier side; our light purple varieties are more floral, while our darker varieties are unmistakably bolder.

Because lavender is not native to the United States and is a very risky farming enterprise in the Midwest, most people in Michigan remain unaware of its culinary prowess.  It is, however, gaining incredible ground in culinary circles. Aside from being used extensively in bakeries, where the applications are seemingly endless, lavender is enjoying an exponential emergence in the menus of breweries, creameries and coffeehouses alike!  Lemon-lavender gelatos, lavender-honey ales, lavender-infused liquors and lavender lattés have become commonplace in aforementioned establishments.

With today’s culinary emphasis being on locally-grown produce that is lavender lane productsgrown on family-owned farms, Lavender Lane is the destination for your culinary lavender.  With an unmatched culinary lavender menu, strong presence in community farmers’ markets, vintage markets and summer festivals, we have established and dedicated ourselves to providing organically-grown lavender to all those who are willing to smell and taste it. Take your restaurant, bar, brewery, creamery, café, bakery or coffeehouse to the next level by incorporating our culinary lavenders into your menus!

Would you like visit our farm? Join the Lavender CraZe as we celebrate our eye-popping and scent-sational harvest on July 14, from 10 am – 6 pm at 12040 Plank, Milan 48160.  Stroll through acres of blooming + pungent lavenders and bring your own scissors to enjoy a special “U-Pick” lavender area for adults. Local artisans, live music, lavender-inspired food + drink, and a large childrens’ recreation area will be on display! Children can enjoy face-painting, lavender sachet-bag races and a bounce-house while adults can engage in a wreath-making workshop or learn about cooking with lavender and how to grow lavender!  Fresh bundles, sachets, wreaths, live plants, essential oil, cosmetics and much more will be available for purchase at our Lavender Harvest Festival.   Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under and parking are free!  Like our farm on facebook (@lavenderlanemi), join our event page (@thelavenderharvestfestival) to be up-to-date on our ever-evolving “Lavender Harvest Festival”!

Joe & Courtney Pusta are the owners of Lavender Lane Farm in Milan. Learn more at www.lavenderlanemi.com