Katikati locals, Eddie and Carol have a gorgeous property on the border of the Uretara esturary. Purchased as a retirement plan in 2000, the couple has since grown the orchard to now include avo trees ranging from 30yrs, 20yrs, 3yrs and newly planted.
“We enjoy working together to grow this highly nutritious food crop that has become more well recognised and appreciated in recent years,” says Eddie. “The orchard gives us plenty of exercise and fresh air, and we love being able to grow most of our own fruit and vegetables.”
“The highlight of our avocado growing has been converting a feijoa block into Hass avo trees – our first Haas crop will be harvested this year.”
Both Eddie and Carol agree that learning to work in all weather conditions has been their biggest challenging with taking on this business – they’ve worked in everything from frosts to strong winds, heavy rains and droughts, and everything in between!
A skilled patchwork maker, Carol also runs her own shop on the property while Eddie prefers taking to the golf course or going fishing in his spare time.
“We both love to travel even though it’s now confined to be within beautiful Aotearoa for the foreseeable future.”
