384 Teesdale Road

Teesdale WA 6213

Background to Redevelopment and Diversity
Since acquiring the property in 2006, the aim of the owners has been to farm sustainably by adopting organic methods to produce the crops and to develop the whole farm as a balanced eco-system.
For example, plantings of various flowering plants have been carried out to provide forage &/or habitat to attract beneficial animals & insects (bees in particular), as well as to aesthetically enhance specific areas and therefore the farm in general.
Also, wormeries have been developed to convert un-saleable fruit into worm castings which can then be distributed in the orchard. This provides a natural, safe and practical way to dispose of un-saleable fruit.
Another innovation has been the planting of stands of shade producing trees - to provide shade for the eventual acquisition of grazing animals.
Crop Diversification
Much time and expense has also been invested experimenting in additional crop development to achieve the results that they now enjoy.
For example, Pistachio plantings were carried out 8 years ago (approx. 1230 trees) and the first commercial crop was harvested in 2017. Pistachios increase plant/crop biodiversity, and their harvest time fits neatly in between the harvesting of the various fruit crops. They do not have to be sold immediately but can be stored, with minimal deterioration (almost imperceptible even after a year) and sold as required. There is a growing appreciation in the market place for natural/fresh nuts, which, unlike those salted & roasted, are not readily available. There is also the potential for value adding. The acquisition of a dedicated pistachio de-huller, manufactured specifically for the farm in Italy, means that the pistachio processing, from harvest to saleable product is conducted totally in-house.
Another example of this crop diversification is their Chestnut plantings (130 trees). The trees virtually look after themselves - the nuts fall to the ground when mature. No thinning of the crop is required and no selection (deciding if mature or not) is necessary. The flowers are very attractive as bee forage. (Chestnut honey is a speciality in countries like Italy & France). Chestnuts can be sold fresh or potentially peeled and vacuum packed.
Further, an experimental fruit block has been developed (227 trees). The rationale was to evaluate several varieties of different kinds of fruit as potential commercial plantings. The owners have ascertained that citrus fruit grows well despite the area not being traditional for citrus growing.
For more in-depth details of the rationale employed by the owners in the redevelopment of the farm, please contact Neil Woollacott
Traditional Orchard Crops
Currently on site, there are:
Peaches (Crimson Lady - 1246 trees; Diamond Princess - 319 Trees), Apples (Pink Lady - 127 Trees; Royal Gala - 31 Trees), Plums (Teague Blue - 1067 Trees), Apricots (Golden Sweet Grey - 146 Trees; Golden Sweet Yellow - 144 Trees)
Other Property Features/Inclusions
Superb 3-bedroom home (86m2)
Main Sorting Shed (63m x 35m)
Workshop and storage shed (15m x 9m)
Sealed internal roads
2 natural springs that continuously feed the dams.
2 new dams in addition to the existing main dam - As well as creating additional ready sources of water, these dams create additional safe habitats for wild ducks that would devour all fallen fruit thus removing the danger of the spread of any disease originating in infected rotting fruit.
Plant and Equipment Included
8 cool rooms (total capacity of 2000 Apple Bins - each 1150mm x 1150mm x 680mm high)
Apple Bins on hand [wooden] - 500. Bin dimensions 1150mm x 1150mm x 680mm high.
Stone fruit Bins on hand [wooden] - 70. Bin dimensions 1150mm x 1150mm x 400mm high
Grading and packing equipment for apples and stone fruit.
5 tractors, spraying equipment, mowers, cherrypickers, motor bikes (4x4), forklift, Mazda BT50 Utility
Dedicated pistachio de-huller
Large inverter controlled high energy efficiency pumps for the irrigation system - Orchard is drip irrigated.
Filtration System
Main Dam Impoundment Area is 1.8 Hectares.