From the corporate rat race to the countryside-dwelling Lavender Row, founder and owner Paula Cosgrove now has a life filled with purpose, nature, and lavender-scented calm amidst the silly season.
Tucked into the serene hills along State Highway 87, just a short drive from Dunedin, lies Lavender Row—Paula’s dream come true.
Overlooking the beautiful Taieri Plain and watched over by the majestic Maungatua, this lavender farm has blossomed from an ambitious vision into a thriving business.
The story of Lavender Row began, as many good stories do, over dinner. It was 2017, and Paula, still living in Auckland, was feeling the strain of corporate life. She had long harboured a dream of leaving the city behind to embrace a simpler lifestyle—one where she could live on a farm, raise her three children, and grow lavender. That night, while sharing her dream with her cousin, the idea began to take shape.
Today, Lavender Row is flourishing, a testament to her resilience and passion. One of the most significant developments came when Paula invested in Estate Aromatics, a business that specialises in the steam vacuum distillation of essential oils. Working closely with Paul Greaves, the inventor of the distillation system, Paula expanded Lavender Row’s offerings to include pure essential oils and hydrosols.
Lavender & Learn: A Scent For Success In Farming
Life on the lavender farm is a delicate balance of hard work and timing, particularly during harvest season. Lavender harvest is a busy time of year, with visitors flocking to the farm and the on-site shop.
Amidst the bustling activity of summer, harvesting lavender becomes a delicate art to ensure the finest quality essential oils. Paula carefully assesses the lavender each morning, balancing its readiness against the weather. Using a tea harvester, she cuts the blooms, which are then blown into collection bags. Most of the lavender is distilled for essential oils, while some rows are reserved for drying or bunches.
Wellness In Every ‘Unconscious’ Sense: Making Self-Care Second Nature
For Paula, wellness is more than just an idea—it’s a lifestyle she strives to maintain, even when the demands of family, farm, and business make it challenging. "Wellness for me means physical, emotional, and mental fitness. It encompasses health, personal happiness, and a sense of of fulfilment at work," she reflects.
"While I know all that intellectually, I find it much harder to put into practice – there’s so much going on with the kids, the business, and the farm. I think I’m still at the 'consciously incompetent' stage when it comes to self-care. But I don’t give up easily, so I reckon I’ll get to ‘unconsciously competent’ one day."
Blossoming Beyond: What’s On The Horizon
As Lavender Row flourishes, so does Paula's vision for the future. In 2025, she plans to plant more trees to experiment with new essential oils and is even working on a maze. "That will be fun but will take a few years before we can open it," she says. Paula also recently acquired a vintage thresher. “I would like to restore it and show it working on lavender flowers next season. All big projects and very exciting.” As for surviving the Christmas season? Paula keeps it simple: "I’m over the silliness. Concentrate on family."
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