As soon as you step out of your car, the smell of lavender and the sound of buzzing bees washes over you. Which is as it should be when you’re visiting a lavender farm.
Located in the small town of Madison, Ohio, Luvin Lavender Farms is a unique spot to visit during the summer months. It’s one of just a few lavender farms in Ohio, and is open to the public during peak bloom at the height of summer.
At Luvin, you’ll find 3500 lavender plants in 2 acres of display gardens. They grow a wide array of lavender varieties, with plants that come from as far away as Europe and New Zealand. The result is gardens that bloom in various shades of purple, white, and even pink.
This spot has been on my Cleveland-area bucket list for a while, and I’m so glad I finally managed to visit during peak bloom!
The lavender at Luvin Lavender Farms is found is two different spots: there’s the carefully planned display garden near the front entrance to the farm, with several varieties of lavender planted close together. Look for the wooden placards to learn about each type of lavender.
And then there’s the back lavender field, where thousands of plants are laid out in rows.
There are also some other manicured garden spaces where you can sit and enjoy the weather, and some wooded trails to explore.
The farm at Luvin has been a family farm for more than 100 years, and is now part of the United States Lavender Growers Association.
How to visit Luvin Lavender Farms
The farm is open to visitors for a couple months each year, around the time when the lavender blooms (usually late June/early July). This year (2021), the farm is open Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting in mid-June.
You can follow them on Facebook for up-to-date info on opening times/dates. Usually, though, they open each year in May for sales of lavender plants, and remain open through at least July (until after the lavender plants bloom and are cut to be used in products).
The best time to visit is usually around early July.
Luvin usually offers things like yoga classes in the fields, chances to learn about beekeeping and gardening, and an annual lavender festival. The festival was canceled for 2020 and 2021, but hopefully will be back in 2022.
Some things to know for visiting this year:
- The lavender is expected to be in full bloom at the end of June; it blooms for a couple of weeks, and then is cut.
- Restroom facilities are currently not available at the farm.
- No pets are allowed.
- Bring sun protection, as the fields are in full-sun.
Visiting the farm is free, though I’d encourage you to stop into the farm shop to buy something – they sell everything from bundles of dried lavender (once the plants bloom) to lavender essential oils, lavender soap, lavender lotions, and other gifts.
There’s a small area for parking to the left of the farm’s short driveway, but note that it is a short walk to the back field over uneven ground/grass.
I’m glad I finally made it out to the Luvin Lavender Farms. The farm is a unique and beautiful spot not far from Cleveland, and makes for a great outdoor activity that’s suitable for the whole family.
Essential info
- Address: 5861 Middle Ridge Rd, Madison, OH 44057
- Website: Luvin Lavender Farms
- Facebook: Luvin Lavender Farms (for more up-to-date info on bloom status, opening hours, product availability, and more)
Have you been to the Luvin Lavender Farms?
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Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of the state. Now, she wants to share her love of Cleveland with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.