Welcome to the Season of Discovery
Every season brings something new to Lavender Row. The changing colours of the landscape, the first signs of growth in spring, the anticipation of lavender flowering and the familiar rhythm of summer all give the farm its own character.
But this summer, things are going to look a little different.
Rather than opening our gates for regular public visits, we're making space for a different kind of activity – growing, experimenting, developing and discovering what's possible for the future of Lavender Row.
We're calling it our Season of Discovery.
It's an opportunity to share a little more of what happens behind the scenes, introduce some of the projects we're working on and explore the many things that make Lavender Row what it is.
And while there won't be regular public opening days this summer, there's still plenty happening here.
A change of pace
Over recent summers, we've enjoyed welcoming people to Lavender Row to experience the farm, wander through the lavender and learn a little about what we do.
Those visits have been an important part of our story. It's been lovely to meet people from near and far, share the fragrance of lavender in flower and give visitors an insight into growing and distilling aromatic plants.
Running a farm and welcoming visitors, however, are two quite different activities. Preparing the fields, maintaining pathways and visitor areas, managing the practicalities of opening to the public and keeping everything looking its best takes a considerable amount of time and effort.
After reflecting on last season and the work that lies ahead, we've decided that this summer is the right time to take a different approach.
It's not about doing less. In many ways, it's about creating the time and space to do more of the things that will help Lavender Row develop.
There are projects to progress, plants to grow, ideas to explore and plenty to learn. We want to give those things the attention they deserve, rather than trying to do everything at once.
There's more to Lavender Row than lavender
Lavender will always be an important part of Lavender Row's identity. The sight and fragrance of the plants in flower are what first drew many people here, and they remain at the heart of what we do.
But over time, our interests and activities have expanded.
Alongside lavender, we've been exploring other aromatic plants and the possibilities they offer for essential oil production. Douglas fir, macrocarpa and ponderosa pine are among the plants that have become part of this journey.
Through Estate Aromatics, we're developing a range of premium, naturally produced essential oils, with an emphasis on understanding the plants, the distillation process and the qualities of the oils we produce.
Our work also extends beyond aromatic crops. Native plantings, propagation trials and other horticultural experiments are helping us explore how different parts of the property can be used and developed.
It's a fascinating mix of farming, horticulture, science and a healthy dose of curiosity.
A working farm is never quite finished
One of the things we've come to appreciate about Lavender Row is that there is always something to do.
Fields need maintaining, plants need tending, equipment needs attention and plans have a habit of evolving once you get started. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries come from trying something new; sometimes they come from finding out that an idea doesn't quite work as expected.
A seemingly straightforward job can turn into a much bigger project, and a small experiment can open up an entirely new line of thinking.
Behind the scenes at Lavender Row. There is always maintenance, preparation and a project waiting to be tackled.
This is part of the reality of running a small, diversified farm. There is a balance to be found between maintaining what already exists, developing new opportunities and making sure that the work we take on is sustainable in the longer term.
Taking a summer to concentrate on some of these things gives us the opportunity to step back, reassess and make progress.
A season of growing, learning and discovery
So what might you find us doing this summer?
Some of it will be familiar: tending the lavender, keeping the fields in good order and working with the plants that have become such an important part of the farm.
Some of it will be less familiar. We'll be continuing to explore other essential oil crops, looking at new planting opportunities and working on ways to make better use of the land and its resources.
There are also native planting projects and horticultural trials to progress. We're interested in how different plants perform in our local conditions, what can be grown successfully and what possibilities might emerge from that knowledge.
And, of course, there is the ongoing work of distillation. Each plant brings its own characteristics and challenges, and there's always more to understand about how harvesting, handling and processing influence the final essential oil.
Lavender remains at the heart of Lavender Row. Each flowering season brings its own beauty, fragrance and opportunities to learn more about these remarkable plants.
Not every project will have a neat beginning and end this summer. Some will take years to develop; others may lead somewhere unexpected. That's part of the appeal.
We want to share that process – not just the finished results, but some of the thinking, experimentation and everyday work along the way.
Join us for the Season of Discovery
Although we're pausing regular public farm visits for summer 2026–27, we don't want that to mean disappearing from view.
Through our Season of Discovery stories, we'll be sharing updates from the farm, introducing some of the plants we grow, exploring the process of essential oil production and offering glimpses of the projects taking shape here.
We'll also share a little more about the Taieri landscape and the place we call home.
If you're interested in plants, essential oils, farming, horticulture or simply enjoy following the story of a small business evolving over time, we hope you'll enjoy coming along for the journey.
Lavender Row B&B remains open, and we'd love to welcome guests looking for a peaceful rural stay within easy reach of Dunedin and the wider Taieri area.
Our online shop also continues to offer Lavender Row products, so you can still bring a little of the farm home with you. Shopping is available online at lavenderrow.co.nz.
There's always something new taking root
Lavender Row has grown and changed considerably since its beginnings, and we're excited about the possibilities ahead.
This summer is an opportunity to give some of those possibilities room to develop – to nurture existing projects, try new things and discover what the next chapter might look like.
We don't have everything mapped out, and perhaps that's part of the fun.
We'll be sharing what we find along the way.
Welcome to the Season of Discovery at Lavender Row.
There's always something new taking root.
What would you like to discover?
As we begin our Season of Discovery, we'd love to know what interests you.
Are you curious about the plants we grow, how essential oils are produced, the science behind different fragrances, or the projects taking shape around the farm?
Perhaps there's something else you'd like us to explore.
Leave us a comment below. We'd love to hear what you'd like to discover with us.