I've had my rhubarb plant for close to 20 years. I've moved it five different times, different beds, different corners of the farm and every single time, it comes back. That kind of resilience earns a place in any garden, and honestly, it's earned a spot on this blog too. If you've never grown rhubarb before, it's one of those plants that asks very little and gives a lot in return. And if you've never cooked with it, paired with strawberries especially, you're missing out on

Right now, our strawberries are doing what they do every June, turning deep red, heavy, and impossibly big. It happens quietly. You walk past the rows one morning and suddenly everything is ready. That's strawberry season for you. We grow strawberries here at Garden Gate Farms alongside our lavender, herbs and animals and it took a few seasons before we really understood what they needed. They're not a complicated crop, but they do have preferences, and once you understand t

If your mind won't quiet down at night and anxiety has become your unwanted bedtime companion, you're dealing with something a lot of people don't talk about enough. We grow lavender for a living, and we'll tell you straight, it's not a cure. But the research behind it is more interesting than people often expect. SLEEP Lying awake, restless, mind running, lavender has been studied specifically for this. Lavender has a long history as a natural sleep remedy, and it's one of t

After years of working this land, cutting lavender, shoveling compost, mowing paths, tending the animals, I've come to believe that the right shoes are one of the most underrated decisions you make on a farm. Most people dress the part above the waist. They wear gloves, hats, and long sleeves. But the feet? Usually an afterthought. Old sneakers, flip flops in a hurry, or whatever was closest to the door. I've done it too. And I've paid for it. Footwear is a tool, and it shoul

Spring is when I give my lavender its first proper cut of the year. Once I see fresh green growth coming in at the base, I know it’s time to get to work. Start With What’s Alive I don’t cut into the old woody part of the plant. Lavender doesn’t grow back well from that. I stay just above it, where the stems are still soft and green. From there, I leave 5 inches of green on the plant and cut off everything else. Enough to keep the plant compact and encourage new shoots. Keepi

Spring is a working season for us here at Garden Gate Farms . It’s when the garden starts moving again, but it’s also when small decisions matter more than people realize. A lot of issues I see later in the year usually trace back to what was done too early or done without checking first. Here’s how I approach this time of year on the farm. What to do now Check your soil before planting . If it still feels heavy or holds too much water, leave it for a few more days. Plant

There’s a part of the evening on the farm when everything settles without effort. The light softens, the air cools, and the scent of lavender stays close to the ground. That moment is what most people are looking for when they reach for lavender oil . This isn’t a routine you need to follow perfectly. It’s simply a few ways to use lavender oil so it naturally fits into your evenings. Why Some Lavender Oils Feel Different When we distill lavender on the farm, the scent doesn

At some point, the seedlings you started indoors will tell you they are ready for more space. Roots begin to circle, growth slows, and the soil dries out faster than it used to. That is the right time to move them into a larger container. I like to do this before the plant feels stressed. A gentle transition keeps growth steady and avoids setbacks that are hard to recover from later. Transplanting Into a Larger Container When transplanting, I handle the root ball carefully

Out here at Garden Gate Lavender , the chickens move through the farm as naturally as the wind does. They pass the lavender rows, circle the young trees, and settle where the ground feels right to them. Over time, I’ve noticed they return to the same dry patch again and again. That’s where they dust bathe. It ’s easy to overlook if you’re busy. A chicken lowers herself into loose soil, kicks it up, and rolls slightly to work it through her feathers. It looks rough at first g

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