As lavender season is just around the corner, Harms Vineyards and Lavender Fields is preparing for an open house to welcome visitors to the Napa farm.

“We started having open houses because there was so much interest in the community and we didn’t have a way to keep our grounds open to the public,” said Patricia Damery, who with her husband Donald Harms, owns Harms Vineyard and Lavender Fields. “Our farm is biodynamic and certified organic.”

Six and a half acres of the 41-acre site is planted to chardonnay and sangiovese grapes and an acre and a half to lavender, which includes approximately 3,400 plants. The farm is certified organic by Stellar Certification Services. The term “biodynamic farming” means they go a step beyond organic to bring balance back to the soils and the land.

“When we began using biodynamic practices, our plants flourished as never before,” said Damery.

One of their practices uses fertilizers with compost treated with biodynamic preparations that help the soil use its natural resources. Another uses preparations that discourage fungi and pests. Demeter Company certifies them biodynamic.

The couple grows the grosso variety of lavender, which is known for producing oil. They make and sell lavender oil and hydrosol, or lavender water, along with dried lavender bunches, flowers and cooking stems. The organic products are so popular, they already sold out of several of their lines.

“We wholesale our products to cosmetic companies who want organic bouquets, hydrosol and oil. This year we’re expanding our repertoire and planting Buena Vista English lavender that is used more in culinary (preparations).”

Samples of foods made with lavender will be available at the open house, as will their popular lavender limeade.

Another feature of the Open House are their herd of seven African pygmy goats, led by head goat Boris. Along with providing fertilizer, the goats (who may soon be joined by two baby goats) clear blackberry, thistle and weeds.

In addition to touring their biodynamic and organic farm, being able to choose fresh lavender bouquets and petting their African pygmy goats, visitors on June 16 at 11 a.m. will hear a presentation from Judith Larner Lowry.

Lowry owns Larner Seeds and is the author of two books, “Gardening with a Wild Heart” and “The Landscaping Ideas of Jays.”

“Native plants are in their demise and I’ll talk about how to reverse the trend,” said Lowry. “I want to give native plants a voice at the table. As California was settled, European land use practices, even some cattle grazing, destroyed the seed pastures that the natives used as a source of food. The missionaries and the settlers that followed prohibited their main management technique of burning. The introduction of invasive plants is the number one cause of habitat destruction.”

A resident of Bolinas, Lowry said that Napa is lucky to have people such as Damery and Harms interested in reintroducing native plants. Napa is also fortunate to have a Native Plant Garden.

“The Martha Walker Native Habitat Garden in Skyline Park is just beautiful and worth a visit,” said Lowry. “During my presentation at the Open House at Harms Vineyards and Lavender Fields, I’ll talk about how agriculture and home gardeners can welcome natives and be a positive part of the restoration of our ecology. Patricia and Donald are extremely conscious of their actions on the land. They show a great sensitivity of the privilege they have of living in this landscape.”

Lowry will discuss “What grows between the rows” in vineyards and planting natives based on what’s local. She’ll also talk about her experiments with native wildflowers. After her presentation, copies of her books will be available and she’ll have an informal discussion with local residents on their concerns and experiences.

“Judith is a wonderful and it’s a profound experience working with her,” said Damery. “She is so exuberant. This is particularly important because native vegetation is not only beautiful, but is also nutritious for wildlife and cost effective in the use of water. Sadly, many of us no longer know what once grew where we live and how to encourage it.

“In the process of working with Judith, we are changing over from drought tolerant plants to native plants. We’ve introduced honeybees and are working so that we have year-round blooming plants. Another thing we’ve started is propagating cuttings in our little greenhouse.”

Damery invites everyone to bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds.

“Our vineyard manager Ramon Lopez is happy to answer any questions about the farm and growing grapes. His wife, Blanca Buenovisto, who helps make the products, will be here too. This farm is a conscious environmental act. We believe it’s critical that all of us restore native plants.”

The Harms Vineyards and Lavender Fields Open House is June 16-17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3185 Dry Creek Road, between Orchard and Linda Vista. Judith Larner Lowry will speak at 11 a.m. on June 16. Info, Harmslavender.com.

Lavender Limeade

from Harms Vineyards and Lavender Fields

Heat 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of dried lavender flowers and the zest of a lime until the sugar has dissolved. Cool and strain. Use to sweeten the juice of eight limes. Add four cups of water and serve on ice.