Orchard visit: Steve Thomas & Sonia Olykan, Lincoln

Organic walnut orchard

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.

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Orchard visit: Mike & Kathy Davenport, Rolleston

Mike 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.

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Orchard visit: Nelson, Catherine & Matt Collett, Ellesmere

February 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.

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