Harvest the Potential of Your Orchard

Mike Darling, Horticultural Consultant

ABOUT
Mike is a third generation Orchardist.   This apple did not fall far from the tree.

As a lad he grew up lighting frost pots, wrangling tractors and eating his mother's famous apple puddings. He lived and breathed orcharding (and puddings).

He returned to Central Otago in 2013 and established and ran a successful orchard that produces apricots, cherries, plums, peaches, pears, apples, nectarines, greengages, mulberries and figs. A true fruit salad.

Mike had considerable experience across all orcharding activities and all fruit trees that grow in Central Otago.

To him there is nothing more rewarding than helping someone get a crop off their own trees. Whether that is a backyard garden with an ancient unpruned tree, an absentee landower property where trees don't get the love they need, or a large commercial orchard, he can advise and help.

Mike is experienced with Orchardist Growsafe approved chemical management. He has previously got a property up to GAP (Good Agricultural Practised) certification.

What we do

HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

We offer a range of services including: *Fruit tree pruning, including tree and wound dressing *Spraying - (for both Organic or Conventional production) *Assessment about disease and pest management; when requested undertake spray program for client *Fruit thinning and yield assessment *Irrigation *Frost and pollination management *Soil nutrition advice and management *Orchard development projects, including planting and set up *Advice and assistance for absentee orchard owners. *Horticultural consulting

HOW IT WORKS

Contact Mike for a free quote If needed, Mike will do a site visit and talk through what is best for your property and production. ** Book in now for winter pruning **

COST

$100 for the first hour or part thereof, then $65 per hour thereafter $25 travel fee for work in Wanaka and Queenstown areas All prices are exclusive of GST *Note - there may be an additional charge, if client requires prunings to be chipped/mulched on site. Upon arrangement I am available to work outside of Central Otago, I have existing clients in the Southland and South Otago areas.

Contact

  • Alexandra, New Zealand
  • 448 Letts Gully Road, RD3, Alexandra 9393