A visit to Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm
Rachal Pinkerton/Sun Tribune David Putnam lowers a pot of lavender into the oil distiller, while another pot of lavender cools after having the oil extracted out of it.
GEORGE — The smell of lavender is one of the first things that impacts visitors to Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm, located southwest of George and owned and operated by the Putnam family. They have been raising and producing lavender essential oils since 2015.
“I knew nothing about lavender until David’s parents moved to Sequim,” owner Julie Putnam said. “They took us to Lavender Fest. I fell in love with it. That was 27 years ago.”
Putnam and her husband, David, bought the land that would become the lavender farm at the end of 2014. Putnam was on a medical leave from her job as a nurse. When she asked her husband what he was going to do with the land, he said he thought she’d want to grow lavender.
They planted their first three sections of lavender In the spring of 2015. The next year, they planted two more sections. They have five main varieties, including Grosso, Super and Provence. They also have small sections of seven other varieties.
Two of the Putnams’ three children help on the farm. Matt distills the oil out of the lavender. He also works in growing, propagating, new lavender plants. Chelsea helps Putnam with the creation and development of new products, as well as lending an artistic flair to the packaging.
Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm isn’t a commercial producer. Their focus is making the farm a place others can enjoy. The farm’s events are a chance for guests to enjoy the calming, fragrant flower.
“We have two things that we have done every year for the last three years — Flower Fest and Fall Fest,” Putnam said.
Flower Fest is held in June. The Putnams bring in local musicians and food vendors.
“The main thing is to walk around in the lavender,” Putnam said. “You can cut fresh bundles. We try to do some kind of craft project out of lavender. Every year is a little different.”
During Fall Fest, the Putnams demonstrate how lavender’s essential oil is extracted and collected. They also own an orchard and sell apples. Customers can have their apples pressed into cider. Pumpkins, grown by Becerra Gardens in Quincy, are also available for purchase.
“We never charge people to come to an event,” Putnam said. “We try to mix it with something that people might enjoy.”
At other times throughout the year, Putnam facilitates lavender-related events. At the end of August, local Boy Scouts came out and made clay tiles with vegetation from around the farm.
“We help people learn about essential oils,” Putnam said. “MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) created their own hand sanitizer.”
The Putnams welcome tours to their lavender farm. They invite local bus tours and school groups. Quincy Parks and Recreation hosts a summer bus tour. This year, they brought children involved in the summer recreation program.
“We do a lot of tours,” Putnam said.
The garden is also available for weddings and rehearsals, baby and bridal showers — or to just visit.
“We tell them to bring a picnic lunch and hang out for a while,” Putnam said.
The Putnams sell their products at the Quincy Farmers Market. The farm has a boutique stocked with products Putnam and Chelsea have made with their lavender.
“We do research and make recipes,” Putnam said. “It’s bath and body type products.”
They bottle and sell four varieties of 100 percent lavender oil extracted from their plants on site. One variety is perfume grade.
“They are all very nice-smelling,” Putnam said. “They’re all unique in their own right and have different properties.”
Dried lavender is available for sale in bundles and sachets.
To learn more about Trinity Gardens Lavender Farm and its products or to schedule a visit, go to www.trinitygardens2014.com or call 509-423-3986. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.