Lavender Fields: A Delaware hidden gem in Milton

Though agriculture has always been a major player in the southern Delaware economy, it has not exactly been a significant tourist attraction.

There are minor exceptions, of course, and that would include the produce stands and farmers markets that sell locally grown produce. And Sussex County has two very popular ice cream shops that are located within major dairy farms in Bridgeville and Lewes. Both attract tourists and residents alike, all in search of that rich farm-made ice cream.

But there is on notable exception from a tourism standpoint — a small farm in Milton that was created specifically to attract visitors, to be a destination for tourists or Delaware locals.

And the Lavender Fields farm manages to do that, big time.

Each year, thousands of visitors find their way to the lavender farm, which is a little more attractive than most agricultural operations. And it sure smells a lot more pleasant than your average dairy, poultry or hog farm.

"It certainly does smell nice," said Monica Friedman, a Bridgeton, New Jersey resident who was visiting Delaware with friends and family .

Sharon Harris and Marie Mayor bought the farm in 2002. And, though the previous owner raised lavender, she had dug up and removed all the plants before the sale was finalized.

Harris and Mayor had to start from scratch.

"We really did have to start over," Mayor said.

While they labored over 3,000 new lavender plants, the pair also restored the old farm house and added another building to house a retail shop.

And they provided a home for the old Lewes train station, which was facing demolition. The small train station has since been restored.

With contributions from friends, they also started planting other gardens on the property, each filled with herbs and flowers.

"We do call one of them the Friendship Garden because nearly everything in it came from friends' donations,"  Mayor said.

One garden is devoted to native wildflowers and there is another that is known for attracting butterflies and bees.

Lavender Fields also has several cozy spots with wooden benches for outdoor lectures and classes. It also has another feature, a labyrinth that is a favorite of children and adults alike.

The labyrinth was built by Harris and is intended to replicate a similar design that is embedded in the floor of the Cathedral de Chartres near Paris.

"That was her model," Mayor said.

The challenge for any labyrinth is the same: There is only one way in and one way out. While the space can be enjoyed on many levels, the labyrinth often was used spiritually.

"The meditation labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known, having been used for many hundreds of years for prayer, ritual, initiation and spiritual growth," the owners explained.

Mayor said it is not unusual to look out on Sunday morning to see people sitting on garden benches, drinking coffee and reading the New York Times.

The peak time to view the purple lavender fields is in June and July although the plants will bloom again later this summer.

Mayor and Harris also raise bees and the sweet honey is sold in the store and at local farmers markets.

Lavender Fields also has stands at seven local farmers markets, including Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, Bethany Beach, Milford, Nassau Valley and Garden Shack Farm in Lewes.

In addition to honey, they sell an array of personal care products made with lavender, including soap, bath salts, lip balms and lotions.

They also produce an lavender oil that is supposed to diminish the effects of too much sun exposure.

But lavender is not just for the skin. Indeed, they also offer lavender oil, culinary lavender (spices), lavender sea salt and lavender honey.

In addition to beautiful gardens and fields of lavender, the farm also is dotted with a number of small buildings, including a quaint structure called the Glass Shed. The shed is home to the wonderfully creative stained glass pieces created by Gwenn Schroll of Millsboro.

Schroll, a well-known stained glass artist, moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware and, though she found suitable studio space, was searching for retail outlets.

Mayor and Harris, winners of a 2012 Small Business Administration award for encouraging women entrepreneurs, offered Schroll a small building four years ago that now serves as a gallery for her work. It is called, appropriately, the Glass Shed.

Schroll can be found at Lavender Fields daily to discuss her work and sell it to interested visitors.

"For me, the attraction is the venue," Schroll said. "And it gives me the exposure I need for my work."

The farm was originally owned by the Brittingham family and was used to raise cows for their Lewes Dairy.

Eventually, the Brittingham farm was divided and the dairy was sold.

"This place has been continuously farmed since the 1600s," Mayor said.

In addition to the lavender fields, lush gardens and artist' galleries, Harris and Mayor also host art exhibits and workshops on lavender and related topics. And they are working with chef Nancy Chirdon Forster to cater events at the farm and elsewhere. Later this year they hope to expand their culinary offerings.

"In the wintertime, we do hope to have cooking classes out here," Mayor said.

After retiring and escaping the hectic pace in Washington, D.C., Mayor and Harris are enjoying life on their lavender farm.

"We just love it here," Mayor said.

raetyson@gmail.com 

If you go 

Lavender Fields at Warrington Manor

18864 Cool Springs Road, Milton

www.lavenderfieldsde.com

302 684-1514