Linda, there's some people here in the Hill Country of TX who have created a lavendar farm.

I have no experience growing lavender. Check w/ some people near you (is there a louisana forum? maybe the southern gardening forum) and/or the herb forum.

Angie

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.hillcountrylavender.com/

I live in north carolina--hot and humid. My lavender does very well here. If you look for the french and spanish types they will do better than the english varieties (for obvious climate reasons). Mine get very large and lovely. If you start with one plant, and it does well, you can take cuttings and root them rather easily, and in no time have some things to fill those five acres. If you want other suggestions---you sound like you live in a climate where you will have an early spring. Lots of flowering shrubs do really well in such an area, and you have the room. Imagine delivering flowering quince indoors in Feb to all of your less fortunate northern friends! There is a day lily farm in our area on less than five areas of land. I envy your space!

I've seen fields of lavender near Santa Fe, NM where it is very hot. I also remember seeing an article in one of my gardening magazines about a lavender farm in the Santa Fe- Taos area. Sounds like it my work for you...

I have found this web site to be very beneficial. EP

Here is a link that might be useful: lavender

I live in central Florida where it is hot & humid & I grow lavender. Have some in pots & also around my roses along with ornamental cabbage. What about your Louisiana Iris in your area.
sandi

Hi; Some time ago I watched a program that featured the former talk show host: Rona Barrett who has a lovely home with acres and acres of land that she decided to grown rows of Lavender!! in California. I think there is a web site for her farm and/or products that she makes from all the lavender that she grows. Do a "google search" under Rona Barrett and see what comes up. When I watched the program showing her fields of lavender I thought, If I had lots of land in a warm climate that's waht I would have done as well! Good luck!

Luvherbz! (especially lavender).