Apalachin’s Lavendel Fields is a labor of love    

Apalachin’s Lavendel Fields is a labor of love     From left, Harry and Colleen Lutynski, owners of Lavendel Fields, a lavender farm located at 356 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y. pose by one of their hundreds of lavender plants, and one of 20 or more different varieties at their farm. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Apalachin’s Lavendel Fields is a labor of love    

From left, Harry and Colleen Lutynski, owners of Lavendel Fields, a lavender farm located at 356 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y. pose by one of their hundreds of lavender plants, and one of 20 or more different varieties at their farm. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)

The exquisite hue of lavender, along with its sweet, pleasant aroma, beautifies the late spring and early summer seasons. Found fresh in the garden, dried or in essential oil, lavender is a versatile herb used in making various home and personal products, is used as a repellent and for medicinal purposes, and is widely known for its calming and relaxing qualities.

Soaps, lotions, candles, household cleaners and potpourris are just some of the products where you find lavender, and some varieties are popular to use in food dishes.

Colleen and Harry Lutynski, owners of Lavendel Fields, a lavender farm located at 356 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y., initially grew fond of lavender during a trip to Washington State, the “Lavender state of the U.S.” Following a lavender farm tour, it was instant appeal, and the two left knowing that a farm was in their future.

According to the International Herb Association, lavender was named “Herb of the Year” in 1999, and its rebirth in popularity has continued to expand.

Colleen and Harry believe Lavendel Fields is unique to our area, and cited farms located in Penn Yan and Skaneateles, N.Y., an approximate two hour drive from the Southern Tier, as being the closest in proximity to their farm. Skaneateles is home to the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival held in July.

Starting their new venture in 2013, the Lutynski’s farm now offers over 20 different varieties of lavender, including those used in cooking. A learning process for the Lutynski’s, growing lavender offers its challenges, including how to propagate for best results, timing the harvest and getting good yield in return, and understanding which varieties fair better with the climate of the Southern Tier, as well as many other factors.

Apalachin’s Lavendel Fields is a labor of love    

Products made by Lavendel Fields, a lavender farm located at 356 Main St. in Apalachin, N.Y., include their best-selling all-natural bug repellent, room spray, soaps and lotions, body butter and body oil, heating packs, dryer bags, dog shampoo and dog bandanas, just to name a few.

The Lutynski’s lavender plants come from as far away as Washington and Virginia, and others closer to home.

At Lavendel Fields, lavender is grown “all-natural” with no use of pesticides, and all plants are hand-weeded, which includes several hundred lavender plants, a time-consuming process. Son Tyler helps, too, and spends a considerable amount of time in the field, and also attends shows.

Colleen shared, “We love doing it, and potentially want to make it a full-time business.”

A future goal is to grow other herbs that will complement the lavender and be used in the products they make, expand the variety of products they offer, as well as sell lavender plants directly. For example, they are currently using a test version of homemade lavender laundry soap.

Also in the future is installing extra fencing on the property for privacy, and adding a pond with a gazebo and bridge, which will offer a quiet space for visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of lavender. The couple also hopes Lavendel Fields will eventually become a destination for wedding or other special-event photos.

Products made by Lavendel Fields include room spray, soaps and lotions, body butter and body oil, heating packs, dryer bags, dog shampoo and dog bandanas, among others, and includes their best-selling item, “Bite Me Not,” an all-natural bug repellent.

Lavendel Fields will be at the Owego Strawberry Festival and also participate at other craft fairs and special events throughout the area. In Owego, their products can also be found at Up the Creek Ladies Consignment Boutique.

Follow them on Facebook, “Lavendel Fields,” or call (607) 625-5655 for more information.