We had a dream of getting closer to nature and becoming more self-sufficient, and 10 years ago we bought a lifestyle block in Carterton. We had not looked at many houses but when I saw that this one came with a recently planted patch of lavender, that sealed the deal.

It was exciting but a little scary to move to the countryside after being a city girl all my life. But I never questioned our decision; it felt so right. As a youngster, more than once I had dreamed of flowers hanging from the ceiling, though it was not until years later that these dreams became a reality.

Now, each year as we hang the lavender bunches upside down in the garden shed to dry, these memories pop into my mind and I smile. It is funny how life directs us to where we need to be.

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In 2008, Lavender Abbey was born and our lavender passion blossomed.

JAN ABERNETHY / NZ GARDENER Lavender 'Pacific Blue'.

Knowing nothing at all about lavender, there was a big learning curve and there is still more for us to learn. Our first harvest, we harvested too early, so our lavender oil was really sharp and green smelling, although after a year or two its aroma developed into a reasonable oil.

It took us a few more years to figure out the right time to harvest and produce good oil, and we were over the moon to win awards for our lavender oil from the New Zealand Lavender Growers Association in 2015 and 2016.

We grow three lavender varieties and produce pure essential oil from a crop of over 2000 Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' plants. 'Grosso', originating in France, is grown for its high oil yield. Its warm, intense, refreshing and intoxicating aroma makes it a favourite for making lavender-based products.

JAN ABERNETHY / NZ GARDENER Lavender 'Grosso'.

We use 'Grosso' oil to create a range of products. When we first started, my husband Stuart would help me, as I used to freak out when the soap would trace quicker than I could put into moulds – he's the calm one at the Abbey. I'm still always researching new products – our latest are balms for treating menopause symptoms. We also have an expectant mothers range and even a balm for pets.

There are over 40 lavender species grown worldwide, and in New Zealand, there are many pockets of areas that are perfect for growing lavender. All lavender plants are sun lovers that thrive in hot and dry climates, and our summer temperatures often reach more than 30ºC.

Lavender prefer free-draining soil and a pH of 7 to 8.5. To maintain the pH level, we apply lime to keep the plants healthy and producing.

JAN ABERNETHY / NZ GARDENER Lavender 'Violet Intrigue'.

Lavender needs hard pruning yearly to keep the bushes in shape, and they will last over 20 years if well cared for. Otherwise, they become woody.

Lavender is at its peak for oil production from around seven years and it will continue to produce the same quantities of oil until the plant expires.

If you have a problem with rabbits on your property, you will need to protect the young plants by erecting a fence.

We are lucky not to have this problem but there are fenced lavender places in New Zealand. Other pests include the spittlebug, which appears in summer.

It can look unsightly but the bug does not damage the lavender so we don't worry about them; they are only around for a short period and will have left by harvest time. More fussy gardeners can spray with water to remove the spittlebug.

It is the garden weevil that is starting to become a real pest in New Zealand. It chews the flowering stem, causing the flower to wither, reducing oil production and the number of cut flowers.

Lavender attracts butterflies, bees and other nectar-feeding beneficial insects while repelling fleas, moths and mosquitoes. It also makes an effective insect repellent for summer bugs; just add a few drops of lavender essential oil to apple cider vinegar and use as a spray.

Living close to the Tararua Range, we have other challenges on our site. We get a lot of rain in winter and as lavender despises wet feet, we do suffer some fatalities.

Our lavender is planted in weedmat, which assists in reducing the weeds. We hand weed, bush by bush; it is a manual and continuous job in spring and summer, so we often get help.

'Grosso' flowers from late October through to February, and when most of the florets are spent, they are cut and harvested to produce essential oil.

After harvesting approximately 500kg of lavender flowers, we process the flowers at the distillers, which takes around five hours.

The essential oil is extracted by a steam distillation process. The flowers are sealed in large stainless steel pots before very hot steam is forced through the flowers, breaking them down and extracting their oil. The steam is then passed through tubing, which is cooled by a cold water condenser, causing the steam to revert back to liquid. At this point, the lavender water (hydrosol) and oil are separated into their respective containers. Once the flowers are extracted of their oil, we reuse them as mulch on our fruit trees.

We also grow Lavandula angustifolia 'Violet Intrigue', which has large purple flower spikes and a rich, deep scent. The flower spikes appear in late October and are in full flower by December. They also make great cut flowers.

The other variety we grow is 'Pacific Blue', which has a sweet floral aroma with a hint of freshness. It is great in a wedding bouquet as it dries to a lovely shade of blue. Lavender is now popular for weddings and the lavender buds make a perfect biodegradable confetti.

Both of these varieties can be used in baking, cooking and tea, and I make a yummy lavender ice-cream with the 'Pacific Blue' flowers.

In late October, when the season comes around again, we await the lavender buds and look forward to the sea of purple prancing in the paddock and swaying in the breeze. Bees' buzzing will fill the air. The spectacular sight of lavender en masse always fills me with gratitude. I realise just how lucky we are to live here.

Seven years ago, I had a plan to pass on the enjoyment of lavender to others, so we started a Pick Your Own Lavender event, opening our gates to the public to pick lavender and take a bouquet of paradise home with them. We love sharing our patch and seeing the smile on people's faces when they first glimpse the field of lavender and experience the aroma wafting through their nostrils.

This year's Pick Your Own Lavender days are on January 13, 14, 20 and 21.