Saturday 25th July 2015 – visiting two properties
Two properties not previously open to Tree Croppers. Trish & Gerard joined us 9 years ago and have enjoyed visiting properties, they now feel they are able to offer their own. Dan & Julie are friends of Trish & Gerard, and not Tree Croppers… so this is a really hidden gem of a field visit.
In the morning (10.30am) we will visit Trish and Gerard’s 10 acre organically managed property which has some wind & drainage issues. Over the last 5 years Trish & Gerard Coley have built a house & sheds, developed an orchard and vege gardens, shelterbelt and a small firewood lot. They also have chickens, turkeys, cattle & beehives.
Trish and Gerard are looking forward to suggestions or advice that will help progress the property further and/or address the wind/drainage issues.
Location: Flux Road, Mangaroa, Upper Hutt
We will have our lunch at the first property.
In the afternoon (1.30pm) we will visit another 10 acre property. Dan & Julie have been running this place organically for only 18 months and are establishing their property along permaculture lines. They are planting an orchard, have put in lucerne as a nursery crop and have started a worm farm. They would love ideas from our members. we will at Lesley’s and Terry’s 9 acre property. This has been developed using permaculture and spray-free principles.
Native and exotic trees and plants are well established, attracting birds, bees and beneficial insects.
There are walnut trees and a variety of fruit trees. Half an acre of pond and waterway, with bridges and walkways, provides wildlife corridors and tranquil movement between different areas. They have a large vege garden, free range chooks and ducks, and Llamas (in a paddock).
Location: Whitemans Valley Road, Whitemans Valley
