The Place To Simply Bee, at Bees N Blooms
By Caitlyn Thomasson
After three months of being “locked-in,” many people are ready to “go-out.” Summer in California provides limitless outdoor opportunities. With more places opening up, the time to get outside and revitalize mind, body, and soul is upon us! Located on the Santa Rosa Plains, one hour North of San Francisco and five minutes from Sonoma State University, Bees N Blooms is one of those fantastic places to explore. At Bees N Blooms, where the land is cultivated organically, the ecosystem is thriving; the bees can attest to that!
Pathways whimsically lined by 900 lavender plants, swirling, patterned, and woven within a giant circle, the Bees N Blooms Lavender Labyrinth is the largest in the state! This ancient pathway is a half-mile long, providing a soulful journey for anyone who walks it. For thousands of years, Labyrinth’s have been used as a meditative tool for reflection, mindfulness, connection, and problem solving.
Our Labyrinth is the anchor for the rest of the 11-acre farm grounds, where more magic awaits. Home to many living beings, Bees N Blooms was created to engage the environmentally sensitive connections among flowers, trees, birds, pollinators, humans and the biosphere. It’s truly a sanctuary for all who visit.
Building on existing knowledge of sustainable and regenerative agriculture, the farm has incorporated a diverse collection of pollinator and bird-friendly crops into the landscape and has set aside a portion of the land for wildlife habitat. It’s a certified organic operation, providing safe foraging for the honeybees, native bees, monarch butterflies, other essential pollinators, and humans too.
On Fridays and Sundays from 10am to 3pm, the grounds are open to the public. The garden, labyrinth, and farm grounds are a perfect magical nature getaway. Bring a picnic to enjoy with friends and family. Come to walk the labyrinth, say “hi” to the geese, ducks, and chickens, stroll through the arced flower rows rippling out from the labyrinth, smell the floral essences, watch the bees hard at work, take pictures of the beauty, gaze up at Taylor Mountain park, listen to the hundreds of singing birds, and enjoy the expansive panoramic views.
Consider becoming a Friend of The Labyrinth to enjoy more time on the farm, as members receive bonus open-hours and additional benefits, such as members-only events, receive 10% off events (except weddings), enjoy free U-pick giveaways when there’s extra produce, and the opportunity to bring guests.
Stop by the Farm Stand where their products are for sale, such as samplings of Sonoma County honeys; fragrant lavender sachets, culinary lavenders, and pure organic lavender oil, all grown and processed at the farm; pollinator-friendly organic plant starts and trees; gift sets and much more! Wherever the plants go once they’re sold, they carry with them the security of being free of pesticides for all pollinators who feed on the blooms.
The land at Bees N Blooms is spacious enough to keep a safe distance and proper safety protocols are in place to arrive stress-free. This is the place to simply bee.
