Johnson Hill Farm — Farm Features

Farm Features

The Lavender Labyrinth

The Labyrinth at Johnson Hill Farm is a 13th century, eleven-circuit design, divided into four quadrants. The path meanders to the center by leading you through each of the four quadrants several times.

Solvitor ambulano – (Latin) – It is solved by walking.

The Labyrinth is not a puzzle to be solved. This is a place where you may contemplate an issue you want to resolve. There is no need for a map or directions. Follow the path and you will reach the center, where you are encouraged to pause and reflect.

The ‘walls’ that separate the path are planted with lavender, a variety of ‘cultivated’ plants, as well as natural field grasses and flowers. Mother Nature and I disagree on which plants should be where, and so we compromise. Most places she plants what she likes, and in some she allows me to choose.

I am often asked what the labyrinth means. The answer is different for each person. For some it is a quiet spiritual experience, children leap and laugh, still others simply find it a pleasant walk or good exercise.

The garden design is similar to designs often found in Gothic Cathedrals. The most famous of this design is found at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France.

Call us to arrange your visit.

Doves

Our interest in doves began when I (accidentally) won two birds at a local Country Fair.

Now we have a small loft of doves and release them each evening for their exercise – and our selfish enjoyment of watching them soar.

You are welcome to join us. Sometimes the birds go with us to the local bird club meetings, so please call ahead to arrange your visit.

Releasing the birds provides them with exercise, and what they are designed to do - - to fly, swoop, and otherwise play in the air.

But, freedom carries risks. We do not release them during inclement weather: however, we cannot control natural predators or accidents. Still, I believe the doves are happier flying free – and then they come home for supper and a good night's sleep.

About the Lavender Coop

This building was originally a fully functioning Chicken Coop. It was expertly designed by the previous owner to take advantage of natural heating and cooling. The trees shade it in the summer, and allow winter light to heat it as much as possible here in New England. We added a screened window and door, which provides a comfortable West to East breeze all summer.

Preferring plants to chickens, we’ve cleared the roosts and nesting boxes, changed and added windows, moved the door and added stone steps, added shingles to the roof and most important – scrubbed, and rinsed and cleaned.

Worried that humid weather would remind us of the buildings previous occupants, we spread about ½ inch of cut lavender on the floor and then put down the new plywood flooring. Every step releases the aroma of lavender that will also discourage rodents, ants and other bugs.

Now the building serves as a pleasant place for a gentle cup of tea and a good book, as well as for sorting and drying plants, making Holiday wreaths and sharing time with friends and guests.

About the Cemetery

The old stage road once cut through the meadow, across the stone bridge over the stream and up the hill past Johnson Hill Cemetery.

Years have taken their toll on the stone bridge and no stagecoaches travel here anymore, but when the frost is on the ground, you can just make out the bed of that old stage road.

At the top of the hill stands a stone wall surrounding the long discontinued cemetery. Old Town records explain that the farmer’s cows were grazing in the cemetery, and so a committee built the stone wall to protect the gravestones.

There are about 80 to 100 souls in this place and many no longer have standing markers. The markers that remain suggest the stories of lost of loved ones during the 1800’s.