Fruits, Flowers, & Flavor
Heritage orchards and fields of flowers create a sweet harvest for dedicated artisan producers
The San Juan Islands are a haven for artisan makers who transform the region’s fertile soil and vibrant blooms into small-batch treasures. From heritage preserves to sea salt blends to handcrafted skincare, the islands’ growers and creators draw inspiration from the landscape to produce goods rich in flavor, scent, and story. Check out some of our favorites below.
After 10 years on Wall Street, Audra Lawlor walked away to it all. She and her husband landed on Orcas Island, eager to create their island story. After hearing about Orcas Island’s rich agricultural history as the largest fruit producer in the state before the 1930s, they began to forage abandoned orchards for heritage fruit. Lawlor created Girl Meets Dirt Archipelago Preserves, from pears, apples, quince, plums and a variety of island herbs. All are classically prepared by hand–in seasoned copper pots–in Lawlor’s island kitchen, where you can visit to see (and smell) a new island tradition.
Since 1996, Christopher and Eliza Morris have been creating botanically-based skin and body care products in small batches from their small farm and apothecary workshop in the tiny hamlet of Olga on Orcas Island. Although they use botanicals from other places as well, they grow several of their ingredients right on the farm, including fragrant lavender, which they infuse into soaps, creams, balms and herbal oils.
As a child, Brady Ryan decided one Christmas to save money and make homemade sea salt for his family. This little mad scientist found that the process made a huge mess and used a lot of electricity. Later in life, he created San Juan Sea Salt, using the power of the sun to slowly evaporate large ponds of sea water inside greenhouses on his family’s property. He infuses the large, flaky crystals into a briny mineral rainbow of flavors such as Wild Bull Kelp and Madrona Smoked Sea Salts. His salts (and local honey) add flavor that takes you to the shores–literally–of the Salish Sea.
The Little Farm on Olga Road is a you-pick flower farm located just outside Eastsound, on beautiful Orcas Island. Tour this adorable farm and enjoy the views and flowers at your leisure. Open sunup to sundown, you can tour the farm and visit their self-serve farm stand to find a bouquet bar stocked with freshly cut single stems ready to mix and match, along with thoughtfully arranged bouquets. You’ll also discover the Little Farm nursery plants grown from seed and plug, where flowering perennials, cheerful annuals, vegetable starts, and herb packs wait to be planted.
Curious about tallow? You can also try out one of Carol's popular organic small-batch tallow whips, serums, bath soaks, and other luxurious skincare products, crafted right there on the farm.
Madrona Distillery is an international award-winning distillery specializing in gin. Enjoy their flagship Dry Gin or see if you can detect the Orcas Island-grown rose or lavender in their Garden Club Gin. Their Navy Strength American Gin delivers a smooth maritime character contributed by the hand-foraged sea kelp collected on the shoreline of Eastsound. Visit their tasting room and production facility on Orcas Island, just a 5-minute walk from the Eastsound Waterfront.
As you cruise the islands' roads, watch (carefully!) for roadside farm stands. More often than not, these little shacks also have bright bouquets of flowers for sale—at extremely reasonable prices. Often these are honor-system stands, where you can slide cash through a slit in a metal cash box, and record your purchase in a log book. Most farms sell their just-picked vegetables, chicken and duck eggs, artisan goat, sheep or cow's milk cheeses, frozen meats, seafood, shellfish and more. This is the best way to get a taste of island life - and enjoy the view at the same time!
And of course, you can talk to farmers and find fruits and flowers in abundance at the Orcas Island, Lopez Island and San Juan Island farmers markets throughout the summer, with varied hours in the spring and fall.
