By REBECCA BILLS
NESTLED in the picturesque countryside of Wandin Yallock is the quaint Warratina Lavender Farm.
Set among the rolling hills, the farm is just one hour’s drive from Melbourne.
It opened its doors in 1991 and owner Annemarie Manders decided to grow a little plot of lavender on land which had been an old cherry orchid.
“It started off as a hobby but with my enthusiasm and energy I decided after 18 months we would pull out the old orchid and plant out the property with lavender,” Annemarie said.
“I didn’t know what I was doing but I was just really enjoying it.”
Annemarie said the farm is home to two types of lavender – angustifolia and intermiedia, which is also known as Dutch lavender.
Annemarie said a special addition to the farm is the tea rooms which offer a lovely ambience and special lavender tea and scones.
“It’s another way people can experience lavender,” she said.
“You only use a very small amount when cooking and it’s a very subtle flavour.”
The lavender on the farm is also grown for craft and household purposes and is harvest by hand using a traditional sickle.
These bunches are then taken to the drying shed on the property and hung to dry before being stripped on the striping machine and used in the different ways.
Warratina Lavender Farm is at 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock, and is open Wednesday to Monday from February to September from 10am to 5pm.
For more information about the farm, visit www.warratinalavender.com.au or phone 5964 4650.
