Families flock to Carterton lavender farm

REGULARS: From left, Mikayla, 8, Corrina and Rachael Davis,10, travelled from Porirua to gather lavender yesterday for the second time in two years.

Families from as far afield as Wellington stopped in at the Lavender Abbey field over the weekend to pick their own lavender.

Stuart and Jan Abernethy opened the lavender field on their rural Carterton property again, over the weekend, in their annual Pick Your Own Lavender event.

Mrs Abernethy said the event had been popular this year with about 80 people coming through to pick lavender, which is sold for $5 a bunch.

"They really enjoy it, we had a lady out there today, she must have been out there for about an hour, people can just spend time out there and it's therapeutic.

"There are lots of families, lots of young ones, I think the kids really enjoy it, it's something different to bring the kids to as well," Mrs Abernethy said.

The couple make their own lavender products, including lavender hand cream, hops pillows, soaps and oils.

The Davis family, made the trip from Porirua, in Wellington to Lavender Abbey on Sunday for the second year in a row.

Grandmother Dianne Little, from Aro Valley, said the family find it special to be able to pick their own.

"When you're from the city it's just nice to come into a country atmosphere and pick the lavender, it's really quite special."

The Lavender Abbey field will be open to visitors again next weekend.