A space for grace
Tom & Mary Stachlewitz started their journey of growing lavender in 2013. It didn't start off as well as they hoped, but "we've learned a lot."
In 1999, Tom and Mary Stachlewitz purchased property on Tracey Road in Manchester Township and built a home where they could raise their three (then-young!) children.
When the time came to think about retirement from their high-pressure jobs, they contemplated what they'd do to stay busy.
"Our kids said, 'Why don't you move to Florida like normal old people?'," Mary laughs. "But then we wouldn't be able to baby-sit our grandchildren."
At first they toyed with the idea of planting an orchard. A dozen or so trees remain from that endeavor but the soil was inadequate and they didn't want to deal with all the chemicals that would be involved. So they researched to find something they could grow that was naturally disease free, bug free, deer resistant, and didn't require treatment or fertilizer. And they came up with lavender.
"In 2013 we planted 10 plants," Tom says. "And we watched them die. Nothing we did could revive them. So over the winter, we joined the Lavender Growers Association of America; we went to classes, we read books, and we learned all we could about lavender.
"In 2014, we planted 1,000 plants, and they made it; they grew well. Now we have around 5,000 lavender plants." And so began Lavender and Grace Family Farm.
They follow a natural organic process in growing the lavender, which takes 4-5 years to get to maturity. "We actually go beyond the requirements," Tom explains. "We are not certified, but follow all organic practices.
"All the products Mary makes also contain all-natural ingredients, made in small batches, with no preservatives. The products contain either lavender buds, or essential oil we distill ourselves, and we're very proud of them."
"What started out as a retirement project has truly become a labor of love," Mary adds. "And now we have probably 1,000 perennials, and about 10,000 annuals, for cut flowers. We like to find things that are different than what you can find anywhere else. And of course we look primarily for plants that are considered deer resistant ... but we've found the deer will eat just about anything.
"We're learning our way through this!"
Some of the products that Mary creates with the lavender include body butter (which she's been working on almost three years, and finally believes she's perfected it), bath bombs, soaps, hydro salts, distilled lavender, and even handmade bears — each with its own name — that children can take to bed to help them sleep. Next month they hope to start selling their own lavender-infused honey, made by the bees that buzz around the lavender plants.
"The bees are hard at work making honey right now," Tom says. "We tell people don't chase them away; they'll move on. They won't bother you if you don't bother them. They're just taking all that pollen back to the hives, and making us honey." The honey is naturally flavored by the bees sipping the pollen from the plants, but Tom and Mary will also be infusing the honey with their lavender to enhance the flavor.
Last year was the Stachlewitz' first year to open as a U-cut farm. And we all know what happened last year. "We had to adjust our plan; people came by appointment or did drive throughs," Mary explains. "But they came. And this year they are coming back."
Even through last weekend's wet weather, they had customers stopping by. "We welcomed them," Tom says. "But we told them we want them to relax and enjoy the experience. And it's not too relaxing or enjoyable to cut lavender in the rain. But still, we always get excited when people come out here."
Mary, acknowledged by Tom as "The Boss," is always thinking of new ways to expand her business and use the lavender they grow. Next year she hopes to create lavender teas and desserts, and she's considering whether to allow yoga classes to meet at the farm, or host small, intimate events. "My insurance agent is getting tired of hearing from me, I know it," she says with a chuckle. "I never want this to be 'a venue.' This is my home, this is my peace. Everything in today's world so hectic and confusing, we need to just take time to gather and enjoy ... keep it low key."
And indeed, the aroma and atmosphere they have created is very relaxing, affirming, and sheds a bit of the 'grace' that helped to name the business. Comfortable chairs overlook the lavender fields, there's plenty of room to browse and spread out, and they have even made two seating areas for taking photos.
The U-cut operation is simple.
The U-cut part of the operation is simple. Customers are given a bucket, a pair of scissors, and a few 7" twist ties to measure with. A seven-inch bundle is only $6, and Tom says he often sends people back to the field to get some more. "You get the same price no matter what," he says with a grin. He explains to each customer how to care for the lavender they've cut. "Take the bouquet home, put it in water just enough to cover the bottom of the stems, and change the water every couple of days. Put them in the refrigerator at night to extend their life. And after a week or two, hang them upside down with a paper clip, to dry."
Although Tom describes himself as a "20th century guy" who'd be happy with a flip phone, the business is forcing them to learn a little bit more technology than they were originally comfortable with. The farm is active on Facebook and Instagram, and they accept credit cards as well.
"I told Tom," says Mary, "if the U-cut doesn't work out, at least I'll have the prettiest front yard in Manchester!"
She already does.
Lavender and Grace Family Farm is located at 13580 Tracey Road, between Kirk and Bowens Roads. Open for U-cut 10 am to 5 pm Friday through Monday. Call 734.474.3806 for more information.
Mary definitely has the prettiest front yard in Manchester!
A young customer examines her bottle wand.
Perennials and annuals will soon be available for picking.
You can't miss the sign announcing that you've arrived at Lavender & Grace Family Farm.
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