In 2020 – just before the first Covid lockdown – Steve and Sonia took over this walnut orchard that is approaching maturity. The shelter was planted in 2000 and the walnuts were planted from 2003-2007 using the two main crop varieties preferred in Canterbury: Rex and Meyric.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Steve Thomas & Sonia Olykan, LincolnMichael and Jenny’s orchard of 2500 trees was planted in 2009 and has also been managed as single stems, although branching starts lower than Mike Davenport’s trees.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Michael & Jenny Petherick, West MeltonAfter the session at the trial block, we visited Peter Barrowclough’s orchard of 3000 trees, planted in 2008. The main variety is Whiteheart with Alex and MDB pollenisers.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Peter Barrowclough, LincolnMike and Kathy’s orchard of 1000 trees was planted in 2006 and the management regime has evolved over time. From their early approach of regular fertiliser and “delicate” pruning to maximise crop, Mike now considers the orchard an amenity rather than a business and manages it accordingly.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Mike & Kathy Davenport, RollestonFebruary 2019
Like Sally and Joe, the Colletts’ orchard is close to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere, and so it can get very wet which means they have put in open drains and a swale to help drain their property. One flood took half the harvest into the lake.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Nelson, Catherine & Matt Collett, EllesmereFebruary 2019
The Juranovich orchard was planted in 2008, and was planned by Stephen Brailsford. The layout is a big arch, around a central driveway. Of the original 1600 trees, they have lost around 80.
Continue reading Orchard visit: Sally & Joe Juranovich, Selwyn
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