Lavender Row Farm

Close your eyes and imagine a lavender field in full bloom. The day is warm and the sun is shining on your face. The lavender fragrance wafts up to your nose as you stand amongst the rows. Next, you notice the sound of our busy friends the bees moving from plant to plant foraging for pollen.

Now you open your eyes and are mesmerised by the combination of intense colour, smell and sound. It's a moment in time that will make you fall in love with the amazing plant that is lavender.

Meet Paula and Kelly- the cousins who ditched the city life, and bought a Lavender Row Farm.

Who and what is Lavender Row Farm?

Paula Cosgrove and Kelly Wrathall are business partners and own Lavender Row Farm. They are located just 25 minutes south-west from Dunedin’s Centre, situated along State Highway 87 between Mosgiel and Outram.

They grow and distil lavender on-site for essential oil and make a growing range of lavender-related products (face mist, soap, body cream, wheatbags, eye pillows, etc.). They sell our products through their website, social media pages and local markets, building a network of retailers of loyal customers.

How did Lavender Row Farm bloom?

Their story began over dinner one night in early 2017 - two cousins sharing their visions for the future. Paula was living in Auckland at that stage. She wanted to move away from the city and her corporate career to explore a long-held dream of living on a farm and growing lavender. Paula also wanted to provide her children with the experience of growing up on a farm. Kelly was also tired of the corporate rat race and wanted to live a simpler lifestyle and thought Paula was on to something. Both were fascinated by lavender - its history and myriad of uses.

They spent nearly 12 months looking for the right property which needed to house two families, be within easy commuting distance to the city and all its facilities, and let’s not forget also needed to be right for growing lavender. The perfect property was found and purchased, Paula and the kids arrived, and they rolled up our sleeves to develop Lavender Row.

What challenges have you overcome?

They have had many challenges to deal with and it's been a steep learning curve for a couple of city slickers. But one of the main challenges they face is the same, as for any small business - start up or not - and that is finding the time and headspace to work on the business rather than in it.

With very limited resources and an ever-growing list of tasks and it is easy to get buried in them. It's all very well saying step back and manage the business but the reality of that can be difficult.

What has been your proudest moment of Lavender Row Farm?

One of their proudest moments was when we distilled our first lavender and produced beautiful essential lavender oil after all that hard work. It was amazing.

On a more professional level, winning a silver award at the 2020 NZ Lavender Growers Association Awards for their grosso oil of the same year was also a highlight - recognition from peers in the industry was definitely gratifying.

On an everyday level, they enjoy connecting with customers and potential customers when they talk to them about lavender, their products and what they do on the farm - seeing their eyes spark with interest and humour is always special.

What is your favourite part about your mahi?

The independence and excitement of carving their own path.

Did covid affected your Business?

Covid19 lockdown put the team behind at least 12 months as it delayed a large shipment of new lavender plants and they missed the growing season. The knock-on effect was to delay the first harvest of those plants by at least a year. That's one of the things they have learned about working with plants and nature - breakdowns on the supply side can have far reaching consequences.

Five years from now, where do you want to be?

In five years, Paula and Kelly want their main retail channel to be online. They also want their own retail store on site where people can visit and see what it's like to be on a lavender farm, especially over the summer season when our paddocks are a haze of purple.

Being a venue of choice for weddings and special events, and extending their range of products would also be amazing.

Do you offer wholesale? If yes - how can people contact you regarding prices and purchasing?

Yes we are considering wholesale opportunities and this will be done on an individual basis, particularly as we grow in scale.

If anyone is interested in being a stockist of our products - we would love to hear from you via email or phone.

When you’ve had enough of the city life and chasing your career - here’s a tip. Buy a Lavender Farm. Well - that’s what cousins Paula and Kelly did, and they’re absolutely loving their new environment for their families.

From a concrete jungle, traffic jams, and fast-paced lifestyle - to a green, serene and inviting farm - it’s no wonder life feels calmer. Just a visit here is Instagram Worthy - with the beautiful rows of Lavender you can walkthrough.

While visiting - grab yourself some amazing lavender products, personally made by the lovely family duo of Lavender Row Farm. or find the team at one of their local weekend markets( Port Chalmers Markets).

We’re loving their Face Mist at the moment and cannot wait to try more products soon.