Category: Businesses

Meli’s Lavender Farm

One of the newest small lavender operations in Sequim is Meli’s Lavender Farm. But in the universe of lavender, it’s no newcomer. It is an expansion of Victor’s Lavender and is owned by Victor Gonzalez and his brother and sister-in-law, Sergio and Monica Gonzalez. Victor is one of Sequim’s most expert growers and consults internationally on lavender cultivation.

The new farm adds 1,000 plants to Victor’s current operation of 150 varieties and over 3,500 plants. Victor’s wife, Mirabel, makes more than 30 lavender products. The expansion is an attempt to keep up with high demand for his plants and products.

I visited Victor’s original farm at the Lavender Festival two years ago here and found him very engaging. He has an interesting history with lavender and has been an important source of information and plants for the Sequim Valley and beyond.

Earnings from the new operation, Meli’s Lavender Farm, will go toward the education of Victor’s niece, Melissa, at Western Washington University. The farm is located on West Diane Drive off Elizabeth Lane which intersects with Old Olympic Highway about a quarter mile west of North Fifth Avenue.

Purple Haze

Purple Haze is a big lavender operation at the east end of Sequim. There are over 15,000 plants of more than 50 varieties of lavender, according to their website. In addition to the shop you see here in the distance there is a a vacation rental onsite and a retail store in downtown Sequim.

The farm is beautiful in every direction.

Purple Haze is one of several large lavender farms that charge admission during the Lavender Festival later this week. The farm will host craft vendors as well as live music. Food and drink is sold on site, including several ice cream flavors made with lavender. Smaller farms around Sequim are open at no charge.

The owner of Purple Haze is ready to retire and has put the operation up for sale for over $3 million.

Jardin du Soleil

I made preview trips to two of Sequim’s biggest lavender operations yesterday. Jardin du Soleil, shown here, has lovely fields on rolling hillsides and beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. At the end of this week the open areas between the fields shown here will have crafts and food vendors as part of our annual Lavender Festival.

The gardens have a beautiful, manicured air. And on a warm afternoon that air is softly scented with lavender.

Jardin du Soleil has a gift shop which sells its lavender essences and lavender scented products.

Sequim Lavender Festival, also known as the Lavender Weekend, runs from Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23. Most of our local growers will be open for visitors and will sell u-pick lavender, lavender plants (there are dozens of varieties), and products.

Olympic Medical Center

Olympic Medical Center recently completed construction of this new clinic in Port Angeles, about 15 miles west of Sequim. Like many rural areas there never seem to be enough doctors. Recruiting and retaining specialists is a particular challenge and many of us travel to Seattle, an all day affair, for care that isn’t available locally. The new clinic, above, helps centralize and expand services.

Bliss

I recently had lunch with friends at Alder Wood Bistro. It was one of the first perfect weather days we’ve had this summer and the outdoor patio was ideal. Lunch was great. Dessert was better still. Bliss, in fact. Chocolate bliss, one of their signature sweets.

Shaker lemon pie was also on the menu, also a winner.

The patio area is shaded by two enormous cherry trees and landscaped with edibles that are used in the kitchen. A wonderful spot for a good time with friends.