Each spring at Garden Gate Farms , I walk the farm and take stock of what needs attention. The lavender begins to push new growth, the trees show their first leaves, and the hens spend longer hours outdoors. This is when I clean out the chicken coop. A thorough spring clean protects the flock’s health and supports consistent egg production. It matters every year, but it is especially important if you use the Deep Litter Method through winter. Deep Litter Method The Deep Lit

At Garden Gate Farms , the fields people walk through in summer begin months earlier on simple tables inside a barn. Most of our lavender, herbs, and many of the plants around the farm start in trays before the ground outside is ready. Starting plants indoors is steady work. You are taking over the job of the season. Light, warmth, and water are now in your hands. When those three are handled well, plants grow strong from the beginning. Here is how I do it. 1. Begin With Go

We bake a lot at home. Partly because we enjoy it, partly because when you grow lavender at Garden Gate Farms , you can’t help but test it in the kitchen. Some recipes are one-time experiments. This lavender shortbread isn’t. It’s the cookie we make when family drops by, when we pack small thank-you boxes, or when we simply want something good to have with tea. I’m sharing it here the exact way we prepare it. The Important Part: Using Lavender Correctly Lavender is easy to m

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, appreciate the people we love, and give something thoughtful that truly makes them feel cared for. At Garden Gate Lavender , we’ve been curating gift experiences for years, from fresh lavender flowers to soothing oils and homemade treats. This year, I want to share two lavender-themed Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas that go beyond the ordinary and feel personal, practical, and memorable. Basket #1: Spring Spa Gift Basket

Cold settles differently on a farm. It doesn’t stop when you step indoors. After tending animals, checking fences, and walking past sleeping lavender fields, you can still feel it deep inside. That’s when soup matters. This potato soup comes from how we live and cook at Garden Gate Farms . It’s built around what we already have stored - potatoes and onions kept in the pantry, milk we always have on hand, and our own Garden Gate Lavender seasoning salt.  No store run is needed

When people first come to Garden Gate Lavender ,  they see fields of purple, hear the buzz of bees, and often ask me how lavender can help when they’re sick. I’ve learned a lot from caring for these plants and watching how our visitors use what we harvest. Many turn to lavender essential oil for support when they have colds or flu‑like symptoms. Here’s what research and experience can tell us. What the Research Shows Lab studies show that lavender essential oil contains co

Running a farm teaches you one thing quickly, you don’t stop experimenting. Plants grow differently every year, animals surprise you, and recipes evolve the same way. Around the holidays, I like bringing that mindset into the kitchen.  Holiday menus can get predictable. That’s not a bad thing, traditions matter but I also enjoy adding one item that feels unexpected. Lavender hot chocolate  became that addition for me. I already work with lavender every day. I know how easi

Christmas is a busy, lively time around here. People are visiting, and kitchens stay full of baking and cooking. On our farm, that means checking on the animals, tidying the house, and thinking about what we’ll bring to holiday dinners. Neighbors stopping by, family coming in from the cold, and plates of sweets showing up on every counter, that’s what it feels like for us. Around here, you never walk into someone’s home empty-handed during the holiday visits. I like bringing

The holiday season is the perfect time to share a little piece of your heart and a little bit of lavender . Here at Garden Gate Lavender , we love crafting gifts that feel personal, useful, and naturally fragrant. Lavender has always been part of our lives, from the fields where it blooms to the oils, handwashes, and spices we make. This year, I want to show you five easy lavender-based crafts that make wonderful Christmas gifts. These projects are simple, safe, and practical

I’ve always liked recipes that start from what’s already in front of me. Around here, the peppers ripen all at once - bright green one day, glowing red the next. I usually dry some, roast a few, and toss the rest into sauces. But this time, I wanted to keep that crisp flavor a little longer. I came across a YouTube video that showed how to make something called Cowboy Candy . It’s exactly what it sounds like - sweet, spicy, and a little addictive. It’s quick to make, easy to

By late summer, I always end up with more peppers than I can use, sweet bells, jalapeños, even a few fiery ones that sneak in from the garden. Instead of letting them wrinkle up, I ferment them. Fermentation keeps the peppers alive in a way, the good bacteria do the work, creating lactic acid that safely preserves the batch while giving it a tangy, deep taste. I learned this method after watching a video on YouTube about making fermented pepper. I tried it here at the farm

When the air starts to bite in the Pacific Northwest, I start watching the forecast closely, especially for those first signs of frost. Here at Garden Gate Lavender , we grow all kinds of things besides lavender, and the peppers are always the ones that keep me on my toes in late fall. When frost is on its way, the goal is simple, protect what’s still growing.  I cover our pepper plants with fabric sheets in the evening before the temperature drops. Regular cotton or frost

I’ve spent many mornings feeding animals, tending plants, pruning trees and the more I work with real food, the more I appreciate how our bodies respond to what we eat. Fermented foods are full of natural probiotics that help balance gut bacteria and support digestion. Research shows that fermented foods help increase diversity in our gut microbiome, ease digestion, and reduce inflammation. (PMC+2Healthline+2) . Cultures around the world have done this for generations - kimch

There are days on the farm when the tomatoes all decide to ripen at once. The vines get heavy, the baskets fill fast, and before long, I’ve got more than I can use fresh. Instead of letting them go soft, I roast them. It’s the simplest way to turn extra tomatoes into something warm, comforting, and full of flavor - Roasted Tomato Soup . Here’s exactly how I make it in my own kitchen. Ingredients Fresh tomatoes – enough to fill a baking tray Bell peppers – any color (I like ye

When frost starts showing up in the forecast, I know it’s time to turn my attention to the tomatoes. Around here at Garden Gate Lavender , we grow a mix of flowers, herbs, and a good handful of vegetables and the tomatoes always seem to demand extra care once the air turns cold. The good news is, you don’t have to toss them out when frost threatens. There’s still plenty you can do to protect, harvest, and even ripen them indoors. When Frost Is Light If you think there’s ju

Here at Garden Gate Lavender , the cucumbers have officially taken over. The brick beds I built this spring are now hidden under vines, and every day I come in with another basket of fruit. At first, it’s exciting - fresh cucumbers for salads, quick snacks, even tucked into sandwiches. But soon, there are more than we can eat fresh. Cucumbers don’t keep long once they’re picked, and once they grow too large, the seeds take over and the flavor suffers. That’s why I turn to pi

I’ve been pulling cucumbers from the new brick beds this week, and I have to admit - it feels good. The landscape fabric under the soil...

Not every garden has the luxury of space. That doesn’t mean you need to compromise on what you grow, only how you grow it. Lavender, with...

At Garden Gate Lavender , the rows of purple blooms and the soft hum of bees might suggest acres of countryside. But what if the only...

At Garden Gate Lavender, structure always comes before bloom. Our fields might look relaxed, but every bed is built with intention - from the soil to the stone. The same goes for the raised beds in your garden. It’s not about trying something trendy. It’s about doing what works, long-term.