Emma Pritchard breathes deep and enjoys the heavenly scent of the beautiful purple fields at Carshalton Lavender, the not-for-profit lavender field at the heart of what was once the world's lavender capital
Row upon row of delicate, lilac flowers, their soothing fragrance irresistibly inviting on a warm breeze: a lavender field in full bloom is a wonder to behold.
Fortunately you don’t have to travel far to witness this special sight. Surrey was once the lavender capital of the world, and today a team of volunteers works hard to continue this tradition.
Carshalton Lavender is a not-for-profit community project covering three acres in Carshalton Beeches. Help is always needed, not only with the annual harvest in July – when you can pick your own bunches to take home – but also with general maintenance throughout the year.
If you can offer a few hours on a Saturday morning, they'd love you help out with pruning, cutting and tying sprigs of lavender, plus helping with distillation for the oils and floral waters the team makes and sells. If you’re time-poor, you could just foster a cutting – simply nurture it from home until it’s ready for replanting.
Carshalton Lavender will be making a number of appearances at fairs and festivals throughout the year - find out more on the Carshalton Lavender website, or by following them @LavenderSM5
For more great countryside ideas from Emma, follow her @craftandcountry, read her online blog, or check out her monthly column in our Surrey magazines
