Stop and Smell the Lavender: Local Fields Worth the Trip

Come summer in the Northwest, lavender season is in full bloom — and with it comes a floral, tranquil fragrance that might make you want to dwell in the summer sun a little longer .

The purple plant can be found on several farms across the region; to help you decide which to visit, we’ve selected a few of our favorite sports to spend a day in the blooms in King and Snohomish Counties — plus one for those willing to drive off the beaten path.

JB Family Growers in Woodinville

The 9 acres of JB Family Growers’ fields sit sandwiched between the picturesque Chateau Ste. Michelle and the flowing Sammamish River.

The property, which is also home to a seasonal corn maze and pumpkin field, features roughly 15,000 lavender plants, wildflower patches, sunflowers, cut flowers, and eucalyptus.

For $9, visitors can enjoy the farm for an entire day (with reentry). The farm is open between June 13–Aug. 29, 4–9 p.m., on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. In August, the farm opens at the same time but closes at 8 p.m.

Throughout summer, the farm hosts a series of events, namely its Lavender Festival July 18–19 and July 25–26, and a dog-friendly day, Barks and Blooms, on Aug. 15. “When people visit, I get to hear them slow down and appreciate the bees, the small blooms, and the beauty that grows,” said Annabelle Nielsen, nursery manager. “It truly is a special place to visit.”

Lavender Melody Farm in Arlington

Following a visit to a lavender farm in Oregon in 2020, Gabriela Selden became enamored with the plant. By the next year, Selden and her family purchased her small slice of paradise in Snohomish, where what she coins her “lavender dream” was born.

“I love the benefits of lavender oils and the buzz of bees as a connection with Mother Earth,” Selden said. “(I hope) that visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the daily grind by connecting with nature … .”

The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with free admission. Lavender Melody Farm offers tours that wind through its thousand-plus lavender plants, consisting of eight varieties, including white and pink species.

In addition to Lavender Melody Farm tours, the farm hosts lavender oil distillation demonstrations, meditation retreats, and, on July 25, will be throwing a Peruvian Independence Day party where everyone is welcome. Selden expects the farm to close its lavender season sometime near the end of September, but encourages those interested to check out its apple and pear varieties in October.

Off the Beaten Path: River’s Edge Lavender Farm in Puyallup

River’s Edge Lavender Farm in Puyallup is a small, family-owned operation located on the edge of the Puyallup River — hence its name.

After taking advantage of lavender’s therapeutic qualities and undergoing a mentorship from renowned lavender grower Victor Gonzalez, Nicole and Daniel Hoffman opened River’s Edge’s proverbial doors in 2022. Visitors can find lavender fields rife with photo opportunities, along with relaxing lavender-based products such as dried bundles for cooking, soaps, tinctures, and more.

“We want River’s Edge Lavender to feel peaceful, welcoming, and connected to the beauty of the Pacific Northwest,” Daniel Hoffman said.

The farm hosts two annual public events: It’s Harvest Time! on June 11, during which the farm offers food, drinks, and live music, and recruits adult volunteers to harvest and hang lavender, and River’s Edge Rally on Sept. 12, with live music, food, drinks, and lavender products for sale.

Currently, the farm takes visitors by appointment only, but those interested can also find River’s Edge at the Puyallup Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from mid-April through mid-October.