What started off as a trip to buy some lavender turned into a new life for Sharon Harris and a new piece of history for Lavender Fields in Milton.
Coastal Point • Ruslana Lambert
Lavender Fields offers aesthetic beauty, as well as plenty of lavender and lavender products.
Harris, who hails from Baltimore, owned a house in Milton and had been to Lavender Fields off of Cool Spring Road on a garden tour in 2000. She had returned there that fateful day two years later to buy some lavender because the deer were eating the plants at her house.
“The lady that owned it had sold it to a developer, and the deal fell through that day,” recalled Harris of that life-changing trip. “It spoke to me. It was saying, ‘Buy me. Buy me,’ she recalled, only half joking. “And I talked [friends] Marie and Mary Ann into it. I don’t drink, but when I told people, they were like, ‘What were you drinking?’”
The farm was in bad shape when Harris bought it, so she got a good deal and then went on to think about what she would like to do with the property. She thought about maybe subdividing it and selling it herself but was persuaded not to by townspeople who convinced her she should continue to operate the farm they had grown to love. That was in 2002.
Harris, an attorney, had worked for what is now known as the Center for Medicare and Medicaid and had retired in 1997. Once she bought the farm, she sold her house in Baltimore and became a full-time Delaware resident.
Partners Marie Mayor and Mary Ann Etu were old friends who, coincidentally, had know each other from working together, as both had worked for the departments of education in their home states. Mayor still works full-time and Etu has a few side jobs in Lewes, so Harris spends much of her time tending the farm. But in 2003, they incorporated their business. After doing extensive work cleaning up the 5-acre property, they planted 3,000 plants from 37 different varieties and built a retail store.
“For the first couple of years, no one came,” said Harris. “We rented Bobcats. We planted lavender. And, then, people found out about it. Now, it is totally different. Every year, business has doubled,” she shared proudly.
Lavender grows well in the area because of the dry climate and sandy soil. Harris said one thing it doesn’t need too much of is water.
“It’s a 10- to 15-year perennial,” she said. “You plant it and basically neglect it.”
Harris also said that it is a natural insect repellant, and has a calming and soothing effect.
What people might not know is that lavender is also frequently used in cooking, as it is in the same plant family as rosemary, sage and thyme. In fact, the Lavender Fields retail store is filled with jams and jellies, as well as the more typical products, such as essential oils, sachets, crafts and lavender eye pillows.
The store also carries locally crafted soaps, candles and preserves. Harris said that because they just can’t keep up with demand anymore about half of their products are produced by other local artisans, made with Lavender Fields’ lavender, and then sold in their store.
The partners are now in the process of restoring the old house that was on the property and have hopes to have a commercial kitchen there one day. Right now, in their barn, they often host Red Hat luncheons or events for other groups, for free. Groups can bring their own lunch, eat there and tour the grounds of the farm.
Lavender Fields is even hosting a wedding this fall, as well as an anniversary party with 150 guests. Eventually, Harris said, they would like to host events at the restored house. Beyond that, Harris said the trio is open to the future but knows that the bigger picture might hold different things.
“I wonder what’s next. People love this farm, its history,” said Harris. “People have lived on this farm continually since about 1680. I feel I’m just getting it ready for the next person.”
Lavender Fields is located on Cool Spring Road, off Route 9, about 4 miles west of Lewes. They participate in the Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach farmers’ markets. Their lavender plants and products are available at the farmers’ markets and at their retail store.
Ideal times to visit the farm are in June and late August, when the lavender is in bloom. . In season, Lavender Fields is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the fall, until Christmas, they are open on weekends only. And they can accommodate winter guests as well, with a phone call ahead of time to arrange a visit.
For more information, call (302) 684-1514 or go online: www.lavenderfieldsde.com.