Category Archives: Lavender

Lavender Crop Update – April 28, 2025

Posted on April 28, 2025 by Sean Westerveld

Crop Update Lavender is beginning to green up in Southern Ontario. Since temperatures in the winter of 2024/25 were more normal compared to the last several mild winters, expect more winterkill this year. Older plants, especially lavandins, tend to have … Continue reading →

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The Dangers of Meltwater for Lavender Plant Survival

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Sean Westerveld

Air temperatures over winter receive much of the attention for affecting the winter survival of lavender in Ontario. This is for good reason since bitterly cold temperatures have been known to wipe out entire crops of lavender. Row covers have … Continue reading →

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Specialty Crop Sessions at the 2025 Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Sean Westerveld

This year’s Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC) will feature several sessions of interest to specialty crop growers. The convention will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ginseng, Ginseng Pest Management, Herbs, Hops, Hops Meetings, Hops Pest Management, Hops Production, Lavender, Specialty Fruit and Nuts, Specialty Vegetable Meetings, Specialty Vegetables, Tree Nuts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Student Jobs Available at OMAFA Simcoe (Norfolk County)

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Sean Westerveld

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness – Agriculture Development Branch in Simcoe, Ontario (Norfolk County) is seeking highly motivated, enthusiastic and energetic team players. These positions will provide an excellent opportunity for those interested in a career in … Continue reading →

Posted in All Specialty Crops, Ginseng, Ginseng Other, Herbs, Hops, Industrial and Misc. Crops, Industrial Hemp, Lavender, Specialty Fruit and Nuts, Specialty Grains, Specialty Vegetables, Sweet Potato | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Promoting a Second Bloom in Lavender

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Sean Westerveld

By Sean Westerveld, Ginseng and Herbs Specialist, and McKenna Campbell, Summer Research Assistant, OMAFA There are several cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) that exhibit a second bloom in our climate. By far the most prolific second bloomer so far … Continue reading →

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Preserving Colour – The Best Ways to Dry Lavender

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Sean Westerveld

By McKenna Campbell, Student – Horticulture Research Assistant, and Sean Westerveld, Ginseng and Herbs Specialist, OMAFA We conducted a small lavender drying experiment at the Ontario Crops Research Centre – Simcoe to determine the best ways to retain bud and … Continue reading →

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