"It is a project from the heart," says Aija Rancāne, who planted her first lavender three years ago. Over time, the kitchen garden has grown into a vast field of lavender and from a simple hobby into a family business. It is now in its second season and is open to tourists.
"Every summer, my husband would take me somewhere to look at lavender. To Kurzeme, Vidzeme, to lavender fields. I was there, I was taking pictures, and my husband said: "Don't you want to plant some for yourself so we don't have to go?" Then I looked for places to buy plants, but I don't know if he thought there would be such a big field after the suggestion," says Rancāne.
She points out that last year, the number of people interested was unexpectedly high. Most people come to enjoy the scenery and the scent of lavender, to capture moments in photographs, and to find peace.
The Ministry of Agriculture says that, according to data on area aid, lavender grew on 10.5 hectares in Latvia last year. Lavender now brings people from many parts of the world to Latgale.
"Last year there was a lot of interest. We even had visitors from Cuba. They were from America, Ukraine, England. I think they like being in nature, they like the atmosphere of the lavender, the silence. Many people have said that they like our field because it is spacious," says the owner.
"Lavender is really becoming a trend in farm tourism. We see that people are more and more coming to different types of farms, including farms that grow, show, and tell. Also, those where you can take part in what is called 'self-picking'. Different berries, garden wonders," says Laura Spundere, a specialist at the Latgale Tourism Association.
Rancāne estimates that this year the season could end sooner, as lavender blooms very quickly due to the heat and drought.
The active flowering time of lavender is about a month. From mid-July onwards, the cutting of the flowers will start, which will later in autumn allow the owner Aija to produce souvenirs that are popular among tourists - scented sachets, floral water, essential oils and more.
