Hundreds turned out at lavender farms across Wairarapa last weekend to help with this year’s harvest.
People took advantage of the hot weather to attend open days at lavender growers in Martinborough, Carterton and Mount Holdsworth near Masterton, after growers opened their farm gates to allow members of the public to visit and pick their own flowers.
Jan Abernethy owns Lavender Abbey in Carterton with her husband, Stuart. She estimated hundreds visited their farm at the weekend.
“The weather was great, very settled and no wind. We had a huge amount of people through. It was really good,” she said.
Abernethy said there had been plenty of positive feedback from the visitors.
“The lavender was perfect, in full flower and good colour. Everyone was very happy to be out and about after the rain. Some brought lunch and spent the whole day here.”
Lavender Abbey was open both Saturday and Sunday, along with other farms across the region, including Jaydee’s Lavender near Masterton, and Lavender Magic, in the foothills of Mt Holdsworth in Carterton.
Martinborough grower Ranui Essentials had a lavender picking and star gazing event, where people could bring an evening picnic for an ‘Under the Stars’ session with astronomy guides to help visitors navigate the night sky.
Lavender Abbey will be open again next weekend on Saturday and Sunday, although no lavender picking will be allowed.
Lavender the pick of the bunch
