Summerfruit NZ and A Lighter Touch are hosting understory field walks in Central Otago on Thursday, March 26.
It will be a chance to hear the grower insights first-hand on the benefits of a diverse orchard understory. The growers involved have trialled the establishment of beneficial plant species under and between the rows of fruit trees, with the aim of increasing beneficial insect and mite populations to control orchard pests and improve soil health.
There will be four orchard visits, three where the understory has been planted, and learnings from the three year- long Summerfruit NZ-ALT project will be shared, including the launch of case studies developed throughout the course of the project.
Also included is a visit to Darlings Orchard to hear about the performance of the NZ Summer Series and catch up on the season.
The day’s agenda is:
9am – Fairview Orchards, 3589 Fruitlands-Roxburgh Rd, Roxburgh
10.30am – Kerrimuir Orchard, 46 Kinaston Rd, Roxburgh East
2pm – Affleck Orchard, 20c Gilmore Rd, Mt Pisa, Cromwell
3pm – Electric Cherries, 90 Rush Lane, Mt Pisa, Cromwell.
View the event flyer here and RSVP to Sally Anderson, E: sally@solutionz.co.nz or M: 021 171 0968.
An example of understory planting.
For more information on the project, visit the project page here.
