Lavender is a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Its history goes back some 2,500 years and it is used in perfumery, cosmetics, medicine, culinary purposes and is believed to be a charm for romance.
In the past few years lavender has become quite the plant for gardens besides being commercially grown. In the Harcum area of Gloucester, lavender is found growing in abundance at Under the Stars Farm and its owner makes sure it’s available for others to enjoy in one or more of its noted values.
It all began, according to owner C J McDonald, following her husband Billy’s retirement from the Green Berets, U.S Army Special Forces. As a military family that had traveled the country over, with the last duty station in San Diego, California, “we were looking for peace and that landed us in Gloucester. I wanted land so my children always had a place to go and this property spoke to me.” (It’s known in the community as the several times renovated old home site of Linous Miller.) C J continued, “As a little girl I wanted nothing more than to live on a farm surrounded by animals and the people I love. I dreamed of a home where our land could support our family and serve the community.”
C J said that if anyone had told her in 2015 that she was going to be a lavender farmer, “I would have laughed. We had never owned a 127-acre farm before.” Thus the McDonalds called in some experts for advice.
When the advice was taken, they found themselves with a section of bare land that was visible from the road and “to our neighbors. Bill told me to ‘figure it out business strategist’ (laughing) so the lavender fields were born.”
The field now contains 12.5 acres of lavender plants but “We are still planting lavender so to say how many acres we have planted would be irrelevant before the end of the year.”
C J wanted to create a place that brought joy to the community and gave people a place to create moments and memories. “Oh, I am obsessed with the color purple.” Under the Stars Farm has done exactly what she wanted it to be. They have held Dessert Under the Stars where chefs featured lavender desserts, Wine Under the Stars partnered with Good Luck Wine Cellar, and a Second Bloom U-Pick served with lavender lemonade, to mention a few events.
“We absolutely love Gloucester. We have been blessed by the community and the team at the county has been amazing.”
To contact Under the Stars Farm, try Facebook or its website.
Did you know that lavender is referred to throughout the Bible by the name spikenard, which was its Greek name? The word lavender came from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash.” That’s why the Romans used lavender to scent their baths, beds and clothing.
Note: History facts taken from: “About Lavender” and “The History of Lavender.”
LAVENDER LEMONADE
1 serving
2 Tbs. Under the Stars’ lavender syrup
1 c. cold water
1-2 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Add ice.
LAVENDER FARMER’S DELIGHT
1 serving
3 oz. chilled lavender Earl Grey tea
1 Tbs. lavender syrup
1 oz. lemon vodka
2 oz. champagne
GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST
8 boneless skin-on chicken breast halves
¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
¼ c. lavender honey or any fluid honey
¼ c. lemon or lime zest or mixed 50/50
½ c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ c. balsamic vinegar
½ c. white vinegar
1 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice
1½ tsp. finely chopped, culinary lavender buds
½ tsp. freshly ground pepper or to taste
Sea salt flakes to taste
½ tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional)
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and pour into a zipper bag large enough to contain mix and chicken breasts. Seal the bag and place the bag in a clean bowl. Marinate for at 3-4 hours. Occasionally massage the bag to work in the marinade. Preheat grill to medium temperature. Place chicken skin down onto the grill. Cook for about 15 minutes, turning it every 4-5 minutes brushing it occasionally with the marinade. With a knife, check chicken for doneness. If more cooking is needed return to grill for several more minutes.
FROZEN LAVENDER BLOSSOMS
Enough sprigs of fresh lavender florets to fill your ice cube tray with at least one floret per cube. Gently rinse fresh lavender florets. Snip off the stem and leaves (reserve for another use). Place at least one whole floret in each cube of your ice cube tray or add as much as you like to your ice mold. Cover with water. Freeze solid. Remove from tray and store in a plastic bag or container. Make plenty of extra cubes while the fresh florets are in season (usually July-September). This is a beautiful and tasty addition to iced tea, lemonade, punch or other favorite cold beverages.
LAVENDER SUGAR
4 c. castor or fine sugar
4 tsp. dried culinary lavender florets
Place sugar and lavender in a food processor to evenly blend the mixture. Place in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight until needed. Use to sweeten up your favorite recipes.
LAVENDER SHORTBREAD COOKIES
1½ c. salted butter, softened
2¼ c. all-purpose flour
¾ c. ground rice flour
2/3 c. lavender sugar
Preheat oven to 325°F. Combine butter and lavender sugar and cream until light and fluffy. Combine all-purpose flour and rice flour, and sift into creamed butter mixture. Blend ingredients. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic and chill for 15 minutes. Roll out dough on a floured surface to desired thickness and cut out in desired shapes and sizes. Bake until golden brown, approximately 20 minutes, on a cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle hot cookies with more lavender sugar if desired. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container. These cookies freeze well.
LAVENDER FLOWER TEA
1 cup serving
Lavender flowers, either fresh or dried, make a soft, slightly pungent tea. Some believe this tea is good for relaxation, headaches and insomnia.
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. dried lavender florets or
2 tsp. fresh lavender florets with or without stems and leaves
Add fresh or dried lavender to your tea cup, cover with boiling water and put a saucer on top of the cup for 15 minutes. Strain before drinking. Add honey or lavender simple sugar to sweeten. Add honey or lavender simple syrup to sweeten. This can also be used as a cleansing and soothing skin tonic.
LAVENDER SIMPLE SYRUP
1 c. simple sugar or
½ c. honey
2 Tbs. dried culinary lavender florets
1 c. fresh lavender florets
2½ c. water
Place lavender and water in a pot; simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain and return fragrant water to pot adding honey or sugar. To just warm the liquid, continue to gently simmer until thickened to a syrup. It will coat the back of a metal spoon. Cool and pour syrup into a tightly sealed jar. Store in a refrigerator. Use to sweeten your favorite recipes.