TCA Field Day 4 November 2012 Sunday 11:00am
Q & A: Mixed Fruit-growing for Farmers Markets.
This field day is aimed at everyone who wants to explore the inns and outs of using mixed fruit orchards on their block to sell their produce via Farmers Markets.
At Jackie’s and Peter’s property
Woodfields Road
Swannanoah, North Canterbury
Jackie and Peter have been managing wide range of apples, pears gooseberries and nut crops for a number of years on their block after purchasing a 9 acre apple orchard 17 years ago. They now sell their fruit via a stall at various local farmer’s markets and gate sales.
They will shortly be moving, so this is our only chance to gain an insight into the horticultural and commercial issues involved in an established mixed-crop orchard block.
The property has mature and varied internal shelter belts that are an excellent example of what succeeds in this area and soil type, and trees for bees.
Among the topics covered:
• which crops have been profitable
• which ones haven’t and why
• which varieties are popular and why
• the workload involved
• some do’s and don’ts
• selling via farmers markets and gate sales
• the economics
How to get to there:
From Rangiora: head out towards Oxford along the Oxford Rd. Turn left at Two Chain Road towards Fernside, then carry on for a couple of km until the second turn on the right, which is Woodfield Rd.
From Chch: Proceed along SH1 until the Tram Rd. turn-off, turn into Tram Rd and carry on until the Tram Rd./Two Chain Rd. intersection. Turn right, then first left into Woodfields Rd. The property is down a shared driveway on the left-hand side of Woodfields Rd.
Lunch Arrangements:
Hot water available on site, bring your own picnic lunch.
