Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm

Many of you may remember Nina, my friend from France who visited me in 2016 and helped on my farm . Nina finished college and now has a budding career as a marketing professional in Paris. She showed me the sights when I was there last week...here we are going round on the " Grand Wheel" over the city. Later I went south to visit her Mom and Dad's lavender farm...where my lavender curiosity was first stoaked in 2013. Its always good to be at Ferme de LaContal.

Wishing you a day of treats and few tricks🎃

Wow! I'm scratching my head over these temps today...where did fall go?

What perfectly shaped lavender...wish mine looked as good. Just happed upon the Tuileries Rose Gardens (Paris) established under King Louis XIV in 1664...I think I need a class from the master gardener.

I'm traveling again and lavender seems to find me out in the world...or maybe I just search it out. I found plenty in Monet's garden in Giverny.

Lovely fall day with stunning colors to which photos don't do justice. I've been inspired...stay tuned for lillypads on State Rd soon...😄

Proof!!! I am in Michigan...at the Meridian Farmers Market today...we've moved also...look for our purple tent on the north side (near Great Lakes Fish). See ya from 8-2 pm.

I could tell you the purple plant 🪻in this photo (taken in June) was intentional ... a creative whim on the part of the farmer...I would be lying.😃
I goofed. But shaking things up is good for the eyes and the brain...stand out from the pack...there's an abundance of 🐑 in the world.

We'll be at the Meridian Farmers market this Saturday for the first time in a month...and it'll be the last time for about 1 month as my travels resume...stop by and say hi...8am -2 pm.

Are your plants still throwing blooms ... enjoy...don't cut. Someone asked me today if it was too late to prune...YES IT IS!

Frost is around the corner most likely but keep in mind you can prune in early spring. I would not risk pruning now. I snip a sprig here and there, but pruning the whole plant makes it vulnerable to damage if frost comes in the next few weeks.

I'm home!!! and the lavender is still throwing blooms to welcome me. Great fun was had in Africa but happy to be back among my blooms.

This photo is a bit surreal for me...my friend Nicole is showing this group of Rwandan farm women photos of my lavender farm in Alma when they asked,
"what do you grow?" ... they were familiar, but had never seen lavender...we had a good bond over our farm roots.

What do you do when late summer pruning is done? Go on a safari in Zambia🦓

Many of you know I'm away and won't be the farmers' market for a couple weeks but I urge you to support your local farmers. MI lost over 2,000 farmers according to last census. Do your part to keep agriculture thriving...support local markets...see ya Oct 12th.

Jackpot...remember how I told you lavender does't spread (re-seed from itself)...I lied...well not really...it is rare...in 12 years of farming I have seen it a couple of times but this photo shows three new plants started in between two older plants. My goal is to transplant them elsewhere...lucky me. Look closely around the base of your mature Angustifolias-lavandins don't do this.

Missing summertime already.

Yes we're closed but feel free to email ([email protected]) for a private appointment if you want. I'm around the farm so happy to accommodate if I can.

Remember we will be open in December for the holiday season.

Someone asked recently how do I prune my plants...you might do fine with pruning shears but after 5 or 10 plants blisters appear on my hands so we use a battery operated hedger...takes me about a minute to prune each plant but the problem starts when the back begins to ache around plant 20 or 25...right, Aubriel?

The photo to the right is a lavender harvester in France...not many of these in in the US.😄

If you havent finished pruning I'd get her done this week.

Hope your geared up for a lovely holiday weekend!

Today is our last day open at the farm store (11-4pm) and we're also at the Meridian Farmers Market (8-2pm)...so many ways to get your purple on.

Pruning all lavender plants - Check!

Yes, we're done for the season...someone told me they looked like mums today 😄...have you pruned your plants? I try to finish before labor day or so...6 weeks before the first frost.

2 inches above the wood...it will prolong the life of your plant and keep them from splaying.

Lots of call and texts...yes this our last week of the season...come by today, Friday or Sat 11-4 for everything lavender.

Don't forget this is our last week to be open💜...

Bring a school supply 📒 to fill our backpack and receive a 10% discount on your favorite lavender items.

4851 N. State Rd, Alma

Open: Thur- Sat 11 -4

Looking forward to seeing .

Don't forget this is our last week to be open💜...

Bring a school supply 📒 to fill our backpack and receive a 10% discount on your favorite lavender items.

4851 N. State Rd, Alma

Open: Thur- Sat 11 -4

Looking forward to seeing .

Second bloom...rare, but lovely...Are you getting that late summer second bloom?

Our last open day is Saturday, the 31st.

I have been going back to school each year for 57 years. I love this time of year...new pencils, crayons, and back packs. 💼 We want to combine our love of back-to-school time with lavender.

As we move into our last week of the 2024 season💜 (closing Sat.) Sixteen Sprigs will give patrons 10% off all store products if you bring a school supply to fill our backpack. Pencils, crayons, notebooks...its all good!

Open Thur-Sat 11-4 pm

Bring a friend!

4851 N State Rd., Alma

We'll reopen the first two weekends in Dec. 🎁

Happy Weekend lavender lovers! Were at the farmers' market today...come out and say hi.

The farm store is also open...show Nicole some love...11-4 pm.

Meridian Farmers' Market ...Open 8-2pm

End of Summer Ice Cream Sale!🍨

$1 off each container.

Only 2 more weeks until we close for the season and the lavender ice cream is no more...stop by this week for yours.

Thurs- Sat 11-4 pm
4851 N State Rd, Alma

Yes, we're still open!!! I'm getting lots of calls & texts asking if we have closed for the season.

No, the farm store is open until the end of August. We're open Thur-Sat 11-4 pm until Aug 31st. Come out on this rainy day for some peaceful, calming lavender in your life. We still have lavender cookies and ice cream!

4851 N. State Rd, Alma