In Bilecik’s Bozüyük district, a farmer named İlhan Emir, who converted the field inherited from his father into a lavender garden, said that this year they achieved a 90% yield from the crop.
In Bilecik’s Bozüyük district, farmer İlhan Emir, who transformed the field inherited from his father into a lavender garden, stated that this year they achieved a 90% yield from the crop.
Ilhan Emir, who decided to plant lavender seedlings after conducting research, mentioned that he produces oil from the lavender he grows and is considering producing and selling lavender tea in the near future. He noted that lavender products can be found in various fields, from cosmetics to lavender honey. Emir said, “We carry out our lavender harvest at the end of July and the beginning of August. Depending on the weather conditions, there might be a few days of delay. This year, we completed the harvest with our family members. We planted our lavender cuttings (seedlings) on about 3 acres of land in the Karaağaç Village, Kuştepe area, in April 2022. I can say we achieved nearly 90% success. Lavender products can be found in many areas, from cosmetics to lavender honey. My wife can produce natural homemade soap. We can bottle and sell the lavender oil we produce from our own garden. In the coming periods, we plan to package and offer lavender tea to our customers.”
Emir also highlighted the importance of planting timing when planting lavender seedlings. “My recommendation is April. Lavender is a frost-resistant plant. Some say it is drought-resistant, but I partially agree. Water is very important. No plant can grow without water. However, lavender doesn’t need to be watered as frequently as tomatoes or peppers; it can be watered at certain intervals. The most crucial aspect is weed control. If weeds take over the field, lavender cannot develop. I recommend weeding once a month,” he said.
In recent years, lavender has begun to attract interest from farmers in Bozüyük, with approximately 50 acres of land in the district now dedicated to lavender cultivation.