Weir’s Lane Lavender Farm + Apiary

Some days just cry out for an adventure. Not necessarily a big one, but a change of pace, a new environment, a sensory experience. On just such a fine and recent day, a friend and I decided to take a drive out into the country to visit Weir’s Lane Lavender & Apiary. When we go on these adventures {we are prone to day trips together} I always try to brand it a Thelma and Louise adventure. She then reminds me that Thelma and Louise actually kill someone in that movie. I acquiesce that perhaps it’s not the best branding of our adventure, and then we move on to just being our normal, pacifist selves and enjoy the day together! It’s a rather charming pre-adventure ritual we’ve developed.

Photo by Cathie Coward
It really is amazing to realize that our South of France lavender field of dreams is being realized just outside of Burlington in the sweet farming community of Flamborough. The couple who own Weir’s Lane have quite an interesting story. After 25 years in the software industry wearing thin for one, and the other tiring of the commute from Toronto to teach at McMaster University, the owners decided a few years ago that a major change of pace was in order. They packed their Bloor West bags and headed for the country, still uncertain of what they might do with the farm they had chosen to be their new home.
After exploring the possibilities of goat farming and realizing that the cost of enclosures to protect the goats from the local coyote would be too precious, Kevin {the former software specialist} landed on lavender. I’m not sure he realized how poetic and therapeutic a choice this would prove to be.
Kevin describes the process of slowly converting their massive corn fields into lavender fields, smiling about the learning curve he’s been on since he has taken on this fragrant adventure. We wander and listen intently as he tours us through the newest lavender plants he put in this past Spring. Even the rarer white lavender are doing well, and it’s clear that Kevin has honed his agrarian skills quickly as he describes his process to us.
Where there is lavender {especially lavender in abundance} there are bound to be bees, and this simple law of nature led Kevin to Part 2 of his adventure: The Apiary. Bringing in an experienced local apiarist to get him started, Kevin is now producing raw honey and beeswax in abundance. 
Photo by Cathie Coward
The farm now boasts an impressive 250, 000 bees who feast not only on the lavender, but also on the natural wildflower fields that frame their main source of sustenance. Most of the bees die off for the winter save the queens and a few of their workers. The process of disassembling the hives is fascinating as the bees literally clean the screens themselves, eating away at the remaining honey and beeswax.
The lavender harvest at Weir’s Lane leads to all kinds of amazing uses. We learned that French Lavender – less fragrant and milder than English – is primarily used for cooking. In contrast, English Lavender is the therapeutic lavender most of us would think of being used in aromatherapy to soothe frayed nerves. It also has some amazing uses topically, such healing cuts and scrapes and soothing bug bites! 
Photo by Cathie Coward
Photo by Cathie Coward
Of course, the lavender can also be purchased dried by the bunch. The buds can be purchased by the bag if you feel inspired to create your own bath salts or therapeutic eye pillow. The charming little farm store is brimming with lotions and creams, beeswax candles and even lavender-infused raw honey – endless gift-giving options. Just delightful.

The season really has come to an end now, but I highly recommend putting this fragrant farm on your adventures list for this coming summer! We will definitely be back to see how the newest fields of lavender are doing while we drink in the therapeutic bliss of their fragrance.

xo
s.