Preparing the Farm for The Lavender Festival

Lavender Festival Hours

Friday, June 20th, 9:00AM-6:00 PM

Saturday, June 21st, 9:00 AM-8:30 PM

With our first ever Lavender Festival just around the corner, we thought we’d share a bit about what we’re doing to get ready. It takes a lot of work to put on any event, but especially one this big (and new!) We’re learning along with y’all how to navigate putting some things on the back burner while other things take the forefront, and we can’t thank you enough for your patience and support.

Here’s what’s keeping us so busy!

Communications

One of our big things right now, is to make sure everyone is on the same page, so we’re working closely with our vendors, musicians, artists, and demonstrators, who all have something special to share with you.

We’re also staying super close with our Special Event Planner, our PepperHarrow Event Coordinator, and all our team members to discuss plans and strategies. A lot of this looks like sending check in and follow up emails or planning weekly calls where we discuss things like the general festival layout, vendor set up, signage, decorations, tasks, and overall scheduling. With that comes a ton of list making (and re-making) to stay organized and on top of things.

Prepping Outdoor Spaces

With 60 acres of land, there’s a lot of ground (literally) to cover and get ready for the festival. We’re weeding and mowing (like always), but we’re also roping things off, prepping lights, setting up tables and chairs, moving things around (and probably moving them again). This is a new learning process for us, but we’re giving it all we have. Things don’t always go as planned, but honestly, that’s life and all we can do is try our best. The rest we accept with patience and grace. We hope you’ll see that in everything we do.

You’ll probably not be surprised by the amount of planting, weeding, weed whacking and general farm clean up that’s happening along side all of this. We want the farm to look excellent during our guest’s time here, so they can appreciate not only the tidiness of the farm, but really take in the stunning landscape of the Madison County Countryside. 

Designing and Decorating

We want the farm to look absolutely beautiful for our guests, so we’re busy not only decorating and up-keeping the physical farm but designing and printing all kinds of helpful posters, visuals, and signs. This week, we’re also gathering and setting aside our decorations including linens, table clothes, photo booth props, and of course, a ton of flowers and floral arrangements.

Gathering/Stocking Supplies

With so many products on display next weekend, we’re in full swing creating more and stocking what we have. The farm store will be full of everything from candles and apothecary products to kitchen and gardening tools, and we hope you’ll stop by for a look (and a smell)!

Along with a full restock, we’re organizing our spaces and prepping totes and tubs with the materials, decorations, and products we’ll need to make next weekend run smoothly. There are so many lined up, that we’re running out of room!

All of these activities are happening in tandem with running our regular farm duties: farmer’s market, harvesting flowers for local florists, prepping for workshops, etc. It’s been a massive undertaking to keep our farm running while getting this festival up and off the ground, but it’s going to be so worth it to share this space with everyone visiting.

We truly want this weekend to be a celebration of summer, community, lavender, and this beautiful farm we love so much. We’re so excited for you to join us for such a special weekend, and we can’t say thank you enough to the friends, family, and volunteers who have helped us prep. It means the world to us. See you soon!

XX Jenn and Adam

What’s Blooming This Month?

A Few Flowers to Spot on the Farm in June

Things are busy and blooming on the farm in June. Let’s kick things off and celebrate summer with a peek at what’s growing at our beautiful farm. The gardens are just sneaking out a little color with a few early blooms and we have a few favorites stealing the show. Whether you’re planning your own garden, or looking for flower care advice, here are our favorites for June!

Cosmos

Cosmos are low-fuss and super easy flowers to grow from seed and maintain, which is why we love them. With their feathery foliage, Cosmos is great for boarders, pollinator gardens, used as greenery/filler, or for adding a pop of color in a bouquet.

Here’s a Few Care Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Keep them in full sun

• Poor soil is actually good

• Avoid overwatering

• Deadhead to keep the blooms coming

Varieties of cosmos we love to grow include Apricotta, Bi-Color Violet, Fizzy White, and Veloutte. All of these are great for cutting and look gorgeous in the garden, in mixed bouquets, or in a vase just by themselves.

Where can you find seeds? We collect and have seeds listed in our seed shop each February 1st. Check out our seed shop here to see these and other fun varieties.

Apricotta Cosmos

Zinnias

Zinnias are bright blooms that thrive in the heat, which makes them perfect for hot Iowa summers. You can even forget to water them on occasion, and they won’t mind too much! We love their forgiving nature. Zinnias also look beautiful in a vase and last well, so take advantage of bringing some inside to enjoy.

Care Tips:

• Keep them in full sun

• Water regularly

• Cut the first bloom to ‘pinch’ them to promote branching

• Deadhead them regularly for more blooms

Benary’s Giants are the BEST we grow for use in bouquets. Their large, focal blooms are irresistible in a bouquet. We also love growing the ‘cute as a button’, Oklahoma Series, and the unique colors of the Queen Series. There are a TON of options of zinnias to choose from in so many colors. You should try them all!

Where can you find seeds? We collect and have seeds listed in our seed shop each February 1st. Check out our seed shop here to see these and other fun varieties.

Queen Series Zinnias

Salvia

If you’re looking for a flower that is loved by pollinators and humans alike, Salvia is a beautiful addition to any pollinator garden. It’s particularly well-loved by bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds and pairs nicely with other pollinator flowers like lavender. Salvia is also a tough flower that will keep going all summer when taken care of with the occasional trim.

Our favorite varieties are Caradonna, a perennial and Blue Bedder, an annual that is a gorgeous true blue bloom.

Care Tips:

• Keep them in full sun – Salvia especially loves the sunlight!

• After the first bloom, trim back to encourage more growth

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are quite similar to the beloved Rose with pretty colors and layers that look stunning in bouquets. While they may look fragile, they are quite tough despite their shorter season but be sure to take full advantage of them in June!

Care Tips:

• Pre-sprout inside in late winter/early spring.

• Plant out very early in the season (when there is still danger of frost). Ranunculus will only bloom in soil under 70F

• Needs well-draining soil

We love all varieties of ranunculus, but we especially love the La Belle series. You can find these on our website in early October here.

Anemone

Anemone has a unique look with its white, delicate petals and dark centers. They make for a stunning contrast piece in any garden and a nice focal flower in a bouquet.

Care Tips:

• Cooler conditions and moist soil are preferred

• Pre-sprout and plant out early, like ranunculus

June’s Blooms at a Glance

Flower	Sun	Water	Best For
Cosmos	Full sun	Low	Pollinators, borders
Zinnias	Full sun	Moderate	Cutting, bright displays
Salvia	Full sun	Low	Pollinators, rock gardens
Ranunculus	Part sun	Moderate	Bouquets, romantic boarders
Anemone	Part shade	Moist	Shady beds, contrast filler

The start of summer is the perfect time to start experimenting or getting inspired for next season. Sadly, June won’t stick around forever, so be sure enjoy these blooms at their best, but we can’t wait to share what else is blooming and going on around the farm throughout the summer!

XX Jenn and Adam

LAVENDER FESTIVAL AT PEPPERHARROW

We’re beyond excited to share a little more with y’all about what we have planned for our first PepperHarrow Lavender Festival, coming your way on June 20th and 21st, 2025. Can you imagine, two whole days soaking up the magic of our gorgeous farm in Winterset, Iowa, surrounded by endless rows of blooming lavender? It’s going to be incredible! Think vibrant purple fields, the dreamy fragrance of lavender wafting through the air, and a chance to just kick back and soak it all in. It’s going to be so good for the soul!

There’s a ton of things we have lined up for visitors to see, do, and experience at the festival. We have everything from simply experiencing the lavender fields in full bloom, to hands-on activities that bring the magic of our farm to life. While the entire weekend will be packed with memorable moments, here are just a few festival highlights you won’t want to miss!

Here’s a few of the highlights!

LIVE MUSIC

Enjoy performances from talented local artists throughout both days, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

On Friday, we have three great musicians who will be playing. The first is Liv McNair, who has charmed our guests with her beautiful voice and sass for many of our events over the last few years. Her voice and song choices leave you no choice, but to feel like you need to sing along.

The second performer is Dan Trilk, who has invigorated audiences at our farm with his up-beat, happy tunes. You’ll find yourself smiling and clapping along to his music.

Last, but not least on Friday, you’ll hear Neva Alden closing out the day with her musical talents. Neva is an incredible emerging artist that you’ve likely heard play around Central Iowa. We’re excited to have her charm and entertain guests at the festival this year.

On Saturday, there’s MORE live music to enjoy! To kick off the opening music of the day, Dustin Baird known for his exceptional guitar skills and soulful solo vocals will leave a great impression on guests. Robert Deitch follows in the afternoon with his unique sound that’s sure to knock your socks off. Last, but not least, we have closing ceremonies with performances by awesome opener, Andrew Hoyt, and our main performance by the talented duo, Brad & Kate.

Live Demonstrations

Watch long and learn during demo sessions such as lavender crafting, lavender distillation, learning about pollinator habitat, and baking demonstrations, allowing you to learn a little something new.

There’s a great line up of demonstrations scheduled for each day and we’re adding more each week, to make sure guests get the most out of their time attending the festival.

Guided Farm Tours

Take a leisurely stroll through our expansive flower fields, learning about our sustainable farming practices and hear the story behind the farm first hand.

Children's Activities

Engage the younger attendees with specially designed activities that are both fun and educational. From story time with Tiffany from Nixon and Norman, an interactive play area, to cute animals to pet from McFable Farm, there are a tons of fun things for the kids too!

Artisan Vendors

Explore a curated selection of locally made products and lavender-infused products, perfect for treating yourself or finding unique gifts.

A few that we have lined up include: Hey Darling Collective, Prairie Rose Desserts, Quest Haven Bookstore, Hancock Woodworking, Red Dragon Herbs & Tea, and more!

Food and Beverage Vendors

Grab a pre-ticketed boxed lunch for Friday or a pre-ticketed taco bar spot for Saturday in advance with your tickets here. We’ll also have lots of other vendor options to snag food at the festival, including The Bean, providing coffee drinks, Swoops n' Scoops Ice Cream, Updogs hotdog cart, The Midwest Sip selling flavored lemonades, and so many more!

Event Details:

• Dates: Friday, June 20th, and Saturday, June 21st, 2025

• Location: PepperHarrow Flower Farm, 1809 S 4th Ave, Winterset, IA 50273

• Tickets: Available for purchase on our website, with a click link here.

• More Details: Find a FAQ document, and further details on our festival landing page here.

We can’t wait for y’all to join us for a weekend filled with the soothing scents of lavender, fun lavender themed activities, and to enjoy the natural beauty of PepperHarrow Farm.

Whether you're a long-time lavender enthusiast or new to its charms, the PepperHarrow Lavender Festival promises an unforgettable experience for all.

We look forward to welcoming you to our farm this June!

XX Jenn ad Adam

How To Harvest Lavender for Dried Bunches

There’s nothing quite like the scent of freshly harvested lavender filling the air. Whether you’re gathering lavender for personal use, selling dried bunches, or creating fragrant gifts, harvesting correctly ensures the best quality blooms that will last all season. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to harvest lavender for drying.

Step 1: Gripping the Blooms

Start by gently gathering a section of lavender blooms in your hand. We recommend beginning with the side blooms first (on either side of the plant), as they tend to be longer and easier to handle. After the sides are done, cut the blooms on top of the plant last.

Step 2: Cutting the Lavender

Using a serrated blade, such as a sickle, a pair of floral snips or sharp scissors, cut the section of lavender you’re holding. Aim to cut just above the woody growth, ensuring a clean cut that promotes healthy regrowth.

Step 3: Bundling the Stems

Once you’ve gathered a handful of lavender, secure the stems together at the base using a rubber band, twine, or a metal twist tie. Keeping the bunches neat and organized makes the drying process easier and ensures uniform, beautifully shaped bundles.

Step 4: Temporary Storage Before Collection

After securing the bunch with a rubber band, twine, or metal twist tie, place it on top of the harvested plant to await collection. This keeps the blooms clean and allows you to quickly see where your bunches are when you prepare to collect them. You’d be surprised how easy it is to miss a bundle when you go to gather them up to bring them inside, if they’re not left on top of the harvested plant.

Step 5: Collecting to Bring Inside for Drying

Once you’ve harvested enough or all bunches you’re able to get, gather them all and bring them indoors for drying. The ideal drying environment is dark, dry, and well-ventilated to preserve the fragrance and color of the blooms. Also, the warmer the better!

Step 6: Hanging the Lavender to Dry

Suspend the lavender bunches upside down from a rope or drying rack. A simple and effective way to hang them is by using a metal paperclip, hooking one end through the rubber band and the other over the drying line. Hanging helps with proper airflow around the stems and helps retain the lavender’s vibrant color.

Enjoy Your Dried Lavender!

After about two to four weeks, your lavender should be fully dried and ready to use. Whether you’re making sachets, wreaths, or simply enjoying the beauty and fragrance of dried lavender, this simple harvesting method will ensure high-quality, long-lasting blooms.

Dried lavender has so many wonderful uses! Use it in sachets to freshen up drawers and closets, craft beautiful wreaths or floral arrangements, infuse homemade soaps and candles, throw it in a vase to enjoy it in your home, or even brew a calming lavender tea. However you choose to enjoy it, your dried lavender will bring a touch of natural beauty and relaxation to your home all year long.

Happy Growing!

XX Jenn and Adam

Floret’s Beautiful Pursuit Series

We’re excited to share that PepperHarrow Flower Farm is featured in Floret Flower Farm’s new YouTube series, The Beautiful Pursuit. This documentary beautifully captures the heart and soul of flower farming. The breathtaking beauty, the deep connection to nature, and the often unseen challenges that come with growing flowers on a working farm.

This series consists of three chapters, each offering a unique perspective on flower farming. Chapter 1, Called by Flowers, lays the foundation, exploring the passion and drive that brings farmers to this way of life. Chapter 2, Living the Dream, pulls back the curtain on the realities of flower farming, sharing the beauty and the struggles. Chapter 3, Beauty Prevails, shares the beautiful, soul filling side of flower farming.

Throughout each inspiring chapter, you’ll see gorgeous, flower filled footage and a few snippets of our interview, sprinkled throughout. But the lion’s share of our appearance happens within Chapter 2, Living the Dream.

Living the Dream

In Chapter 2: Living the Dream, we, along with our fellow farmers, open up about the reality of flower farming. There’s a common perception that our days are filled with nothing but armfuls of blooms and peaceful moments in the fields. While there are plenty of those, moments where the early morning light dances across rows of lavender, where hands in the soil bring a deep sense of grounding, where the hum of pollinators fills the air, there’s also another side to this life.

Farming is unpredictable. It’s long hours, backbreaking work, and the kind of dedication that tests you in ways you never expect. Nature is both our greatest ally and our fiercest challenge. In 2022, PepperHarrow was hit by a devastating tornado that tore through our fields, damaging structures, scattering years of hard work, and forcing us to rebuild from the ground up. It was a stark reminder that no matter how much we plan or prepare, the land has its own rhythm, and we are simply stewards of it.

Bouncing back after the March 2022 tornado was no small feat. The storm took so much, but it couldn’t take our spirit. With the support of our incredible community, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. We rebuilt, we replanted, and we found strength in the very land that had been tested.

Each new flower growing season since has been a testament to resilience. Lavender once again is thriving, dahlias bloom into a quilt of amazing color, and our fields are filled with life. It hasn’t been easy, but the journey has made us even more grateful for this farm, this work, and the community of supporters who believe in what we do.

And yet, despite the hardships, flower farming is a calling. There’s magic in watching a tiny seed grow into something extraordinary, in sharing the beauty of the seasons with others, in offering people a space to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the earth. Every bloom that makes it from our fields to your hands carries with it a story of resilience, care, and love.

We’re thrilled to be featured alongside a star-studded lineup of our peers, including 3 Porch Farm, Dahlia May Flower Farm, Sunny Meadows Flower Farm, The Farmhouse Flower Farm, Urban Buds, Whipstone Farm, and so many more. These incredible farms represent a wealth of knowledge and massive dedication, artistry, and passion that define flower farming. We are so honored to share our story among such inspiring company.

We’re grateful to Floret for shining a light on the realities of this work, and we hope The Beautiful Pursuit gives you a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be a flower farmer. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with flowers, of getting your hands in the soil, of experiencing the joy and heartbreak that comes with growing something from the earth—this series is for you.

We can’t wait for you to watch and catch a glimpse of life here at PepperHarrow. Thank you for being part of our journey, for supporting small farms, and for celebrating the beauty of flowers with us.

XX Jenn and Adam