BIG SPRINGS, Nebraska (KOLN) – Just south of Big Springs, a family grows lavender. And as you can imagine, growing lavender in the Cornhusker State comes with plenty of challenges.
We caught up with the co-owner of Our Lavender Co to talk about what it takes to grow lavender in Nebraska. “We started growing lavender in 2019,” said Peggy Palser. Palser says the soil in the area is really perfect for lavender. “Lavender likes sandy soil,” Palser said. “Sand allows water to flow through the soil faster. It doesn’t stay there and pool. Lavender wants to drink, but then it wants the water to drain away. So we have the perfect soil for that, too.”
The company has three varieties that do really well in Nebraska. “We actually have 18 different varieties,” Palser said. “We propagate some of the plants that survived, and now those are true Nebraska plants. We do have 18 varieties, but three of them have loved it here from the start.”
The farm also has a greenhouse where lavender continues to be grown. “Last September we propagated 2,200 plants and about 2,000 survived the winter. We were pleased with this success and are now using these plants.”
Growing lavender in Nebraska is challenging. There are cold and heat fluctuations and the wind. “The wind amplifies the temperature,” Palser said. Because the company is surrounded by crops like wheat and corn, and it’s a third-generation corn operation, there are also some challenges with herbicide drift. “Lavender doesn’t really tolerate herbicides,” Palser said. “Lavender is naturally organic and every weed has to be hand-weeded. We have a wheat field right next to the lavender field and right across the street is a corn field, so we’re very careful about what we spray and when we spray.”
Palser runs the business with her daughters and says that’s the best part about Our Lavender Co. “We all have a role,” Palser says. “I love letting my daughters’ natural talents shine. We’ve shipped products all over the United States.” To learn more about Our Lavender Co, be sure to visit the gift shop south of Big Springs or learn about the company online.
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