We think of our “season” as starting in July being a Southern Hemisphere place.  So each season spans two calendar years.

Here we attempt to report relevant information about activities on a season by season basis. Links show relevant dates (planting, harvest etc.) and monitoring such as soil moisture and irrigation records.

In 2019 – 2020 we had two main crops barley that was grazed followed by sweetcorn. We are planning to plant a variety of cover crops this autumn to compare their effectiveness at soil remediation, after precision land levelling work caused compaction.

We have worked from a draft  cropping plan, based on vegetable crops where ever possible. Obviously this is open to change, as it is on any farm.

Our main crops have been vining peas, green beans and sweetcorn for processing at the Hastings McCain Foods factory. Typically peas get planted in September, with sweetcorn and green beans following as second crops through to autumn.

Since 2014 and 2015 we have grown onions for fresh export with support from G & J Steenkamer. The 2015-16 and 2016-17 crops are part of our OnionsNZ Sustainable Farming Fund project.

To date all our winter cover crops have been reincorporated to provide more organic matter. The first winter included broadbeans, subsequent years included ryegrass, oats with vetch and Caliente mustard. Ryegrass has been grazed, taken for baleage and incorporated prior to next crops.