Lifestyle

Lavender Fields

Scenic views and tranquility abound. Get a glimpse inside this picturesque lavender farm.

by Liz Donovan • Photography by Niko Christou

There’s something about Carousel Farm that evokes a sense of serenity. Perhaps it’s the lilac-speckled hills — the sight of which inspires local painters and photographers. Or maybe it’s the subtle lavender-scented breeze that wafts across the 35-acre grounds. In any case, the Bucks County, Pennsylvania, farm’s innate ability to relax those who visit is undeniable. Just ask co-owner David Braff. An attorney on Wall Street, Braff returns to the farm each weekend to escape the stress and noise of the city. On the right day, one can even catch a glimpse of Braff riding his horse through the lavender fields. But the heart of the farm’s operation is his partner, Niko Christou, who oversees the harvesting of about 15,000 lavender plants and an expanding line of products.

Christou and Braff purchased the property in 2000 and expected to use it only as a weekend getaway. But during a trip to France, Christou was inspired by the picturesque lavender fields in the Provence countryside. Originally from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, he had grown up cultivating olive trees and pressing oil from the plant. Lavender, he thought, would not be a far stretch.

But success for Christou was not without a good bit of trial and error. “In the first few years, I lost thousands of plants because they weren’t suitable for this climate,” he says. “I learned not to experiment in large quantities, but instead to plant just a few hundred of each variety to see if it works. Certain varieties of lavender do amazingly here.” Five years later, Christou has settled on four types of lavender: two French (Grosso and Provence) and two English (Hidcote and Munstead). He explains that his selection strategy is two-fold. “The plants flower at different times of the year, so by offering all four, I have plants from June through October. Normally, lavender is available here only from June until July.” The other benefit is the different ways the plants can be used after harvest. “We use the English plants for drying and cooking. The French varieties are harvested primarily for their oil because they yield four times the amount of oil,” Christou says. This oil is then used in the farm’s line of products, which includes soaps, lotions, and candles.

Last year, the farm teamed with a local beekeeper to introduce a line of organic lavender honey, which comes directly from a beehive in the lavender fields. This product has its own share of health benefits. “Eating local honey, from within 30 miles of where you live, is beneficial if you suffer from seasonal allergies,” Christou explains. His emphasis on eating local food and supporting small businesses doesn’t stop there — in addition to stocking products in local markets, Christou offers visitors information on neighboring farms and stores. “By building a community of local businesses, you’re encouraging people to have community spirit and educate visitors about our area,” he says.
For now, though, Christou plans to devote his time to his farm, continue to expand his product line, and enjoy his hobby-cum-vocation. “It’s gratifying to see the plants turn green and produce something you can use or eat,” he says. “It reminds us that plants are also living, breathing things.”

Visiting Carousel Farm: 5966 Mechanicsville Rd., Mechanicsville, PA. 917.837.6903, carouselfarmlavender.com.

Tips on Lavender Planting

Feeling inspired to grow your own lavender? Niko Christou offers some beginner tips:

A lavender plant needs two things: plenty of sun and dry conditions It needs at least five hours of direct sunlight a day and should be planted in an area where the soil drains well.

It's also important to buy varieties that are suitable for this climate. For example, some people buy lavender that does well in the summer but dies at the first frost because it's meant to be grown in Florida.

Plants are available for purchase at Carousel Farm, but expect more than a simple cash-and-carry transaction. "Everyone who comes here and buys a plant from me gets a 15-minute lecture on how to care for it," Christou says. "These plants are like my children; I want them to live."