What to Expect at the Bloomfield Lavender Immersion

Most people think they know lavender. They recognize the scent in a candle or a soap, maybe associate it with a purple field somewhere in France. But lavender is a far more complex, varied, and surprising plant than most of us give it credit for.

That realization is exactly what inspired the newest experience at Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender Farm: the Bloomfield Lavender Immersion: Fields, Flavor, & Craft.

More Than a Farm Tour

This isn't a walk-and-wave kind of tour. Over roughly 90 minutes, you'll be guided through the lavender fields by Marion, the grower who started this farm with 20 plants and turned it into over 5,000 across more than a dozen varieties. She'll be the first to tell you she's an accidental lavender farmer, but the depth of what she's learned (and what she'll share with you) is anything but accidental.

You'll walk the rows and get hands-on with varieties like Phenomenal, Royal Velvet, Hidcote, Vera, and the rare white Edelweiss. You'll rub stems between your fingers and discover that lavender doesn't have one scent. It has dozens. Some are sweet. Some are sharp. Some carry a hint of mint that catches you off guard.

A Plant with 4,000 Years of Stories

Along the way, Marion traces lavender's history from ancient Egyptian burial chambers to Roman bathhouses to Victorian medicine cabinets. You'll learn how the Latin word lavare ("to wash") gave the plant its name, why Queen Elizabeth I reportedly demanded fresh lavender daily, and how wartime nurses turned to lavender oil when medical supplies ran short.

It's the kind of history that makes you look at a simple purple plant completely differently.

Not All Lavender Is Created Equal

One of the most eye-opening parts of the experience is learning about culinary lavender. Not all lavender is safe to eat, and some varieties will taste like you bit into a bar of soap. Marion walks you through which varieties belong in your kitchen (English lavenders like Vera, Munstead, and Hidcote) and which ones are better suited for oils, sachets, and skincare.

You'll also pick up growing tips that actually work for northern Indiana's soil and winters, straight from someone who's spent years figuring out what thrives here.

Into the Apothecary

The second half of the experience moves into the Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender Apothecary, a beautifully restored historic building in downtown LaGrange. This is where you put what you've learned to work.

You'll create your own lavender-infused keepsake, choosing from options like custom bath salts or a personalized oil roller blend. And you'll taste lavender treats made with varieties grown right on the farm. (The lavender lemonade is a favorite.)

Everything you make is yours to take home.

The Details

Duration: Approximately 90 minutes. Group size: 5 to 12 guests per session. Price: $35 per person (all materials, tastings, and keepsake included). Location: Bloomfield Schoolhouse Lavender Farm, 107 W. Spring St., LaGrange, IN. What to wear: Closed-toed shoes or sport sandals. Cancellation policy: No cancellations within 72 hours of the scheduled tour.

Upcoming Dates

Sunday, May 4 at 3:00 PM
Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 7 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Sunday, June 14 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 21 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Sessions are limited to 12 guests each, so these will fill up.

Book your Bloomfield Lavender Immersion here.

Have questions? Reach out at info@bloomfieldschoolhouse.com