Did You Know: This big purple machine is called a bud shaker. Farmers have been using machines like this for decades to separate dried lavender buds from their stems—an essential step in making sachets, soaps, oils, and more. These machines came into wider use in the mid-20th century as lavender farming scaled up, especially in places like Provence, France, and eventually here in Sequim.​ 

The idea is simple: dried lavender bunches are loaded into the box, where an internal shaker rapidly jiggles them against a mesh grate. The tiny buds fall through, leaving the woody stems behind. It's fast and efficient—but a little rough on the plants​. 

At Lit Lavender, we now harvest and process all our lavender by hand. It takes more time, but it helps preserve the quality and scent of the buds, and we think you can smell the difference.

Your Hint For the Next Stop: “You've roamed the fields and followed the scent, But now it's time for a different bent. Look for a place where the ground is flat, But you're not here to sit or chat. There’s a tiny land of twists and turns, Where skillful aim is what one earns. And if you spy some turtles still—You're closer to the hidden thrill.”