The Nursery and Farm Grounds are open to the public now! Thursdays-Sundays, 10 AM to 4 PM.Â
Planning a new installation requires knowledge of the specific site, considerations regarding your priorities, available water and exposure, and the needs of the plants, from soils to irrigation. Susan Kegley, Owner of Bees N Blooms, provides consulting on lavender projects, from design to oversight of in-ground planting, with a focus on creating low-maintenance pollinator-friendly habitat that provides forage at critical times during the year. Susan focuses on plant selection and placement, soil analysis and amending, irrigation design, pruning and maintenance, and lavender processing.
Your project begins with a needs assessment for us to understand your goals and vision and learn more about your planting site. We do a site visit to evaluate the project environment, including soils, exposure, water needs, and wildlife considerations. One soil sample is included with the Needs Assessment. Additional soil samples are $50 each.
Cost: Flat fee of $300 for locations within Sonoma County. Outside Sonoma County, travel is billed at the current government mileage rate.
Soil sampling is the foundation of successful planting. By understanding your soil’s chemistry, you can make informed decisions for new plantings and effectively troubleshoot problems in existing landscapes. Our soil assessment service includes professional sampling, laboratory testing, clear interpretation of results, and customized soil amendment recommendations tailored to your site and soil type. For planted areas under a quarter of an acre, we also create a site-specific micronutrient blend designed to be added directly to your planting fertilizer, giving your plants the best possible start.
Cost: One sample is included with the Needs Assessment; $50 per additional sample analyzed. Consulting time is billed on an hourly basis at a rate of $250/hour. Mileage charges at the current government rate apply for locations outside Sonoma County.
We create a written document laying out the details for your particular site, including soil types, suitability of your location for planting, complementary plants, irrigation needs, drainage, cover crops, vertebrate pest management (rodents, deer, etc.), and other location-specific information. We also provide a step-by-step guide for your landscaper for creating your lavender installation.
Cost: Charged on an hourly basis at a rate of $250/hour.
We grow many varieties of lavender and other certified organic, pollinator-attractive plants in our own nursery in a variety of sizes, including plug trays, 4.5 inch pots, 1-gallon pots, and 3-gallon pots. If we don't have the plants, we will track down what you need from other nurseries to source the plants for your project. Check out the Nursery section of our online store for varieties and sizes we generally have available and their pricing. Discounts are available on bulk purchases over $500.
We can work with your landscaping service to ensure that soil is amended according to soil test recommendations, irrigation is installed optimally, plants are planted properly, and irrigation is set to ensure maximum survival of the new lavender plants. We can recommend several good landscaping companies if needed.
Cost: Charged on an hourly basis at a rate of $250/hour.
We provide demonstration and guidance for lavender processing techniques, including harvest, drying, steam distillation and post-distillation product handling.
Cost: Charged on an hourly basis at a rate of $250/hour.
