By Michael Doran
Warratina Lavender Farm is holding an Open Garden Weekend on 17-18 November with all entry proceeds going to the Wandin CFA brigade.
As well as the joys of strolling through the lavender farm, now ablaze in a sea of purple, there will be demonstrations of lace making, spinning and wood turning.
The two days run from 10am to 4pm with continuous entertainment by roaming musicians, dancers, country and western singers and even a belly-dancer. With performers changing hourly there will be plenty of variety to suit all ages and musical tastes.
Other attractions include vendor stalls, children’s entertainment, a sausage sizzle and a chance to savour the house specialties – lavender scones and ice-cream.
The Lavender Farm started in 1991 when, purely as a hobby, Annemarie Manders decided on growing a little plot of lavender on land which had been an old cherry orchard.
Now with six acres of lavender fields and over 10,000 plants under cultivation, Warratina is a thriving working farm.
The plants are harvested by hand and the bunches brought to the drying shed to hang before being stripped by machine. The stripped lavender is then sifted three times to remove unwanted leaves, sticks and dust.
All the lavender grown on the farm is used in the on-site cooking and for producing the large range of items in the gift store.
Admission is $10 for an adult, $25 for a family and children under 12 are free. Warratina is at 105 Qualye Road, Wandin Yallock and enquiries to 5964 4650.
