Lavender fields forever: Calyx Creek offers flower-filled vacation destination

Drive down any Iowa road in the summer and you'll likely see endless fields of corn and soybeans. But if you sneak off the beaten path and head to Oxford, you might get caught in a lavender haze.

With more than 5,000 lavender plants spanning their 20-acre property in Oxford, Taylor and Stephanie Getting hope to provide a new experience and tradition at Calyx Creek Lavender and Lodging.

Calyx Creek is a "you-pick" destination similar to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. The rolling you-pick field offers demonstrations, classes, and lodging opportunities.

"It's more than about growing lavender, but about creating different ways to experience the flower," Stephanie Getting said. "There is a lot of power in creating the experience and seeing people's faces when they come here."

Taylor and Stephanie Getting, both from Iowa, have experience in agriculture. Taylor's family owns and operates a strawberry farm in northwest Iowa while Stephanie grew up on a hobby farm.

The couple's first encounter with lavender came when they moved to Seattle after graduating from Iowa State University.

"We visited a lavender farm and just fell in love with the sea of purple light," Stephanie Getting said. "Just getting to experience just the beauty and the aroma of lavender just to be surrounded by just 1000s of plants."

More: From shakes to soft serve, here are the 10 best ice cream spots in Johnson County

Returning to the homeland as lavender farmers

The couple planned to share their lavender experience with Iowans once they moved back to their home state. After looking for a farm for more than seven years, they found land in Oxford with sandy soil, the ideal conditions for growing lavender.

"Lavender doesn't like the rich Iowa soil like corn and soybeans do," Taylor Getting said.

The Gettings planted their first round of lavender plants in 2020, navigating the challenges of growing the non-native plant in the Midwest. The couple spent years researching how to best grow the flower, learning how to anticipate Iowa's unpredictable weather.

"Lavender is microclimate specific, and so where you are growing, it makes a huge difference; you can't really call somebody up on the coast and ask how you grow lavender; it's just not going to apply here," Taylor Getting said, who took the growing process lead. "Our first winter, we lost 25% of the plant, which will be our biggest challenge every year."

Now, nearly four years after being planted, the lavender has matured and is ready for an onslaught of visitors. Guests can pick their own bouquet from the six different lavender varieties, which include the common English and French to the preferred Grosso.

There are also a variety of other experiences available at Calyx Creek.

More: Fry frenzy in Iowa City: 5 must-try spots for French fry lovers

A breathtaking landscape in Johnson County

When visitors pull up to the gravel road that leads into the lavender farm, they are seemingly transported to the south of France. Taylor Getting notes that some people even take pictures from their cars before taking it all in.

Guests are enveloped in an oasis of all things lavender once they enter the farm. The café boasts drinks and snacks infused with lavender, and the gift shop offers dozens of products, from lotions to household cleaners.

The Gettings emphasize the versatility of lavender well beyond its beauty.

"There's so many really incredible things that lavender can do and make a difference in people's lives," Taylor Getting said. "For a lot of people, this is their first time trying food with lavender in it, realizing how effective it can be as a bug repellent for both mosquitos and ticks, how therapeutic it can be for sleeping and as an anti-itch relief."

The couple notes the growing popularity of lavender-infused products, from local coffee shops to international retailers, but everything for sale at Calyx Creek comes straight from the fields. Their yields will be harvested at the end of the summer and turned into usable products.

The calyx of lavender is the most fragrant part of the plant, hence the name of the local farm.

More: Determination pays off for Thai immigrant drawn to twin careers in massage, cuisine

A unique and serene retreat

Calyx Creek offers more than just a few hours of lavender picking.

Visitors can extend their stay with six lodging options, from the lavender suite attached to the main facility, suitable for families and large groups, to the two elevated treehouses that overlook the lavender fields. The treehouses are equipped with Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and full bathrooms, offering a modern yet nature-centric experience.

For those seeking a more off-the-grid experience, two huts nestled in the woods provide a serene retreat.

"We wanted to have the lodging experiences because it goes back to our motto 'escape the every day," Taylor Getting said. "There's just so much to discover in that way, and you're just escaping. It's not what you expect. So that's what we want to do with the farm, what we want to do with agriculture, and that's why we did the treehouses. You just don't expect that you could stay on a lavender farm."

Celebrating a milestone

In its inaugural season, which wraps up at the end of July, the Gettings hope Calyx Creek becomes a favorite destination for families, corporate retreats, staycations, vacations, and even weddings.

"(Growing lavender in Iowa) is a testament to what can be done in the state," Stephanie Getting said. "We want people to experience something new and interact with horticulture in a way they haven't before."

The Gettings are already preparing for the next season having planted a new crop of 1,000 plants. They are also brainstorming ways to enhance the customer experience, from the already customizable you-pick bouquets to new workshops on lavender crafting and wellness. They also hope to expand Calyx Creek's product line.

Calyx Creek Lavender and Lodging is located at 1722 255th St. NW, Oxford. The farm is open Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m., from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2-7 p.m. on Sunday. Guests can register for classes and book online.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Pick your own lavender at Calyx Creek in Oxford, Iowa