Unlike France, Bulgaria and China, the Australian mainland does not have large tracts/farms of lavender.

However it is possible for the smaller growers to contribute to a marketing pool and so be able to deliver significant quantities of product commercially.

A condition for this strategy to succeed is for growers to produce significant quantities of similar lavender essential oil or stripped dried lavender to allow blending of lavender batches to produce saleable quantities of uniform product

. One method of achieving this structure is for multiple growers to plant the same cultivar/s.

Lavender is not a difficult crop to grow. It requires little maintenance during the winter season with high activity during the harvest season. Once established the crop requires only general maintenance over several years until a decision to renew the lavender plants is implemented.

Weed control without chemical intervention can be reduced with the use of a weedmat fabric.

Most of the lavender in Australia is hand harvested.

This method can be profitable for fresh and/or dried lavender bunches if the bunches fill a niche market and command a premium price.

Sizable commercial growers will need to develop a mechanised method of harvesting to retain profitability in the larger market.

Mechanical harvesting does not impede the production of essential oil.

Commercial distillation equipment is now available in Australia so that large growers can distil up to 1,000 litres in one charge.