7 New Jersey Lavender Farms to Visit During Summer

7 New Jersey Lavender Farms to Visit During Summer

Jamie Corter

We all know that decompressing is essential to our overall well-being, but finding moments of peace can be quite difficult. Thankfully, we found a soothing yet fun remedy that the entire family can enjoy—visiting lavender farms in New Jersey. In the Garden State, these spiky purple flowers reach peak bloom around mid-June to early July. In addition to its beautiful hues, lavender is best known for its therapeutic fragrance and natural health benefits. Whether diffused as oil or dried in a pouch, lavender can help improve sleep, relieve anxiety, and even lower your heart rate.

The best way to experience the flower’s calming effects? Visit your local lavender farm and pick your own fresh bouquet! Lucky for you, we discovered seven lavender farms in New Jersey that are open to the public and ready for exploring. 

1. Pleasant Valley Lavender Farm – Morganville, NJ

Unwind from a stressful day at one of the oldest commercial lavender farms in New Jersey! In 2006, farmer Ellen Karcher opened Pleasant Valley Lavender Farm after a family reunion in Sequim, Washington—the lavender capital of North America. The Morganville farm started with 150 lavender plants but has grown to almost 2,000 on nearly 10 rolling acres. In addition to French and English lavender, the farm recently introduced 270 Sensational plants, a new variety bred to withstand Northeast climates. 

During peak bloom, Karcher invites guests to explore the fields and cut their own fragrant lavender bundles. Tickets for you-pick days are on sale now for picking in late June and early July. The farm also features a gift shop offering a variety of lavender-themed products including handmade sachets, soaps, and delicious lavender honey. 

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2. Hidden Spring Lavender Farm – Skillman, NJ

Nestled within the quaint town of Skillman, NJ is Hidden Spring Lavender Farm, an idyllic farmstead run entirely by a husband-and-wife team. Now in its thirteenth season, Hidden Spring plants an impressive variety of lavender types—15 variants to be exact. While picking the flowers is not permitted, guests can purchase an abundance of all-natural, homemade lavender products at the farm’s shop. Here, the farm sells their famous Buena Bears, a soft stuffed bear named after the lavender that fills their tummies. Other gifts such as 100 percent pure lavender essential oil, lotions, and more are also available. 

End your trip at Hidden Spring by visiting the farm’s family of alpacas. Guests can even make reservations online to walk and feed these adorable animals during their visit. Unlike other lavender farms in New Jersey, Hidden Spring is open all year round. 

New Jersey Lavender Farms
A lush field of lavender overlooking Hidden Spring Lavender Farm / Photo via @hiddenspringlavender

3. Orchard View Lavender Farm – Port Murray, NJ

In addition to its mental health benefits, lavender’s distinct floral taste pairs well in many recipes. At Orchard View Lavender Farm, the flowers’ unique flavor is infused into delicious seasonal sweets only available at their shop; all sweet treats are made from the English and French lavender planted right on the farm. Lavender honey ice cream, a customer favorite, has returned for the summer season along with their new lavender raspberry flavor. Additionally, chocolate lavender and lemon lavender cupcakes have recently been introduced to the menu.

Though Orchard View has yet to announce the dates for their cut-your-own lavender sessions, monthly workshops are now open to the public. Consider joining them for a calming painting class or a peaceful yoga session in their lavender fields; reservations can be made online. 

Lavender Farm

4. Happy Day Farm – Manalapan, NJ

Want to give your followers FOMO? Visit Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, NJ. Opening at the beginning of June, this New Jersey lavender farm features a lush lavender viewing garden composed of Phenomenal and Hidcote bushes. Farmer Tim Stockel and his family have placed Instagram-worthy photo ops throughout the fields such as their popular purple door frame or painted bathtub. While guests are encouraged to take as many pictures as they’d like, the farm asks that the lavender not be picked. Instead, head on over to their raspberry fields, also opening in early June. Here, Happy Day Farm plants four varieties ranging from sweet to tart. 

If you stop by in late June, blueberry picking will be available; the farm grows an impressive eight varieties of juicy blueberries on ten acres of land. Pick-your-own sunflowers will open in late July and later in the fall, the farm is transformed into an amazing autumn festival. 

New Jersey Lavender Farms
Snap a photo within the lavender at Happy Day Farm / Photo via @monik2329

5. Serenity Farms – Robbinsville, NJ

When Elmer and Joyce Gafgen bought Serenity Farms in 1976, the fields were home to a variety of crops. Juicy strawberries, fresh corn, and even stalks of wheat sprouted from the soil for many years. When a heavy deer population began eating the produce, the Gafgen family needed to reconsider what they planted. In 2018, they tried their hand at the deer-resistant lavender; they started with three different varieties—Munstead, Hidcote, and Grosso. Following their success, they added the Phenomenal hybrid to their fields, expanding to nearly four acres in Spring 2019. 

Last year, Serenity Farms also welcomed honeybees to help maintain the farm’s newly planted wildflower fields. As of May 29, the farm will be offering cut-your-own lavender, walking tours, scavenger hunts, paint and sip nights, and much more. Guests can also peruse the gift shop which carries homegrown lavender products. If you’re lucky, you might even meet Norman and Ross, Serenity Farm’s two adorable Nigerian Dwarf goats. 

NJ Lavender Farms
Lavender fields at Serenity Farms in Robbinsville, NJ l Photo via @serenityfarmsrville

6. Princeton Lavender Farm – Princeton, NJ

What better way to spend a warm summer afternoon than picnicking at Princeton Lavender Farm? Owners Brad and Beth Smith started their first lavender field in 2016 but quickly expanded their acreage in 2019. Now, they grow four varieties of the flower: Sensational, Big Time Blue, Phenomenal, and Super Blue. The farm also houses more than 100 chickens, several goats, a pony, and alpacas. 

In 2021, the Smith’s plan on introducing 50 new beehives to the farm as well. While picking the lavender is prohibited, guests are encouraged to walk the fields, picnic on the property, and interact with the animals. In lieu of admission tickets, Princeton Lavender Farm requires a minimum $10 purchase per adult and $5 minimum purchase for kids at their farm stand. For those looking to take home lavender plants, the farm sells buckets of all four varieties on sight. 

New Jersey Lavender Farms
The peaceful flower dome at Mad Lavender Farm / Photo via @lawless_photo_graphy

7. Mad Lavender Farm – Milford, NJ

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole when you visit Mad Lavender Farm in Milford! This New Jersey lavender farm opened in 2013 and was named as a nod to Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Their first crop thrived beautifully and years later, they are growing seven different varieties of lavender. 

Don and Adrienne Crombie, owners of Mad Lavender Farm, are passionate about environmental education and sustainable living.  Everything on the farm is organic and grown with absolutely no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They even strive for zero-waste as well. Visitors can wander the fields and pick their own lavender bundles when they reserve their half-hour time slot online. Once you’ve gathered your flowers, consider participating in one of the farm’s goat yoga classes.

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Mad Lavender Farm in Milford, NJ l Photo via @madlavender

Have you been to any of these New Jersey lavender farms? Let us know in the comments below.

Main image via Unsplash