Back In Stock! Herbes de Provence From Canada’s Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm is one of over 5,400 farms in western Canada’s Thompson-Okanagan Region. This family-operated farm grows flowers and herbs on its property, producing high-quality botanical products. They sell products for face and skin care, aromatherapy, and culinary items such as herbes de Provence. Shop for Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm products via the website (shipping within Canada only).

Herbes de Provence from Canada

The Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm’s herbes de Provence signature blend includes farm-grown and dried oregano, savory, thyme, rosemary, basil, and lavender. This dry spice mix is a key ingredient in many traditional Provencal dishes. Herbes de Provence should be in every pantry for use in rubs, marinades, slow-cooked meats, vegetarian dishes, and soups.

©Abigail Eveline Photography

A Family Farm

Several generations of the McFadden family run the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm operations. Commercial farming requires a team for planting, harvesting, drying, distilling, and bottling before packaging, selling, marketing, and occasionally sleeping. From the plant to the final product, the farm operations reflect the McFadden family’s dedication to environmental stewardship, supporting local businesses, and ensuring quality production.

The Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm is located in southeast Kelowna, in British Columbia’s interior. It is the most recent chapter of a long farming history. Andrea McFadden and her extended family specialize in growing climate-suitable lavender, other herbs, roses, and red cedar on property originally part of her grandfather’s nursery lands.

Strong Values

Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm are proud artisan growers with strong ecological values. Operating within Mother Nature’s whims, they sustainably cultivate plants on the eight-acre property without sprays. The team hand-picks the herbs and botanicals at their peak before drying or distilling. With over 20 aromatic plants, it’s quite some operation, from seedlings to award-winning botanical products. The family reflects their passion for the earth in their handmade, small-batch products.

Picking to Products

In Provence, lavender distilling is usually done in large quantities. At the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm, herbs are hand-harvested and immediately dried or distilled onsite. Small-batch steam distillation occurs right after harvest, ensuring the highest-quality essential oils and hydrosols are produced. The onsite herb drying room was custom-built to dry the herbs without heat to maximize flavour and aroma. Products for face care, body care, baths, and aromatherapy are prepared by hand in small batches.

The initial products were from dried lavender, including sachets, bath salts, lavender jelly, and a house blend of Herbes de Provence. In 2003, they began a scientific collection of lavender from the UK for essential oil. Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm products have consistently won awards since 2014.

Now, over 50 products are packaged in containers meant for reuse, recycling, or composting. Since 2019, this Okanagan farm has acknowledged the need for reforestation, donating $1 from every online order to Tree Canada’s National Greening Program. Wanting to avoid single-use plastics, they were the first company in North America to use 100% biodegradable, non-plastic wood-chip containers.

©Glen Durrell Photography

Buy Online

Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm products range from skincare to herbal tea to pure essential oils. Their online store offers Canada-wide flat-rate shipping for $11.95, with free shipping on orders over $75. They also provide contact-free curbside pick-up for locals.

Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm (website)

Social media:
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Canada’s Okanagan Valley

The Okanagan Valley is a beautiful, rolling agricultural landscape in British Columbia’s interior. Situated between the rugged Pacific coast and the majestic Rocky Mountains, it has a climate similar to the South of France, with hot, dry summers and cool, humid winters. The terroir in this area is suitable for growing grapes, stone fruit, apples, vegetables, and cattle grazing. Winter in the Okanagan is more severe than in Provence, so olives are not a crop that grows in the interior. However, a few olive farmers are in British Columbia’s coastal region.

©Abigail Eveline Photography

Recipes with Herbes de Provence

Herbes de Provence Crusted Lamb Lollipop and Spring Vegetables

I call this garrigue-crusted lamb as the topping is made with fresh herbs that you typically find in the hills of Provence. Start the preparation with the oven-roasted tomatoes as that takes a while. During that time prepare the lamb and fresh spring vegetables of your choice.

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Daube Provençal (Beef Stew)

This is the Provençal version of beef bourguignon. The biggest difference is the spices (herbes de Provence), olives, and, of course, wine from Provence instead of Burgundy. It is delicious with crusty French bread.

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Spinach Tart - Tarte Herbes aux Epinards

This recipe is from the kitchen of Marc Heracle in Provence. It is a more traditional dish as it uses typical local products (olives, spinach, olive oil). This is a simple dish to make. You can serve as a starter or as a main with a big salad. You may never make pizza again!

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Brined and Roasted Chicken Legs with Lemon and Herb Pan Sauce

Brining and roasting creates juicy meat and crispy skin. The lemon herb sauce gives it an unforgettable Provence flavour.

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Tomato Confit - A Fundamental Ingredient

Tomatoes intensify and sweeten after long, slow cooking. I use the same technique for all tomatoes, whether sweet cherry tomatoes or the meatier Romas.

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