Old Orchard Farm
A small-scale sustainable market garden and farmstay in Tasmania's beautiful Huon Valley.
About us
We grow around 50 different vegetables year-round following organic and regenerative principles and practices. Rather than harmful sprays, we rely on healthy plants and a healthy ecosystem above and below the soil surface. It seems to be working. We offer seasonal veggie box subscriptions and also sell veggies at the Saturday morning pop-up pantry at Harvest and Light in Geeveston. We also built a self-contained cabin to allow us to share a little of what we love about life here with those who live further away.
What we offer
Veggie box subscriptions
For local veggie lovers: our seasonal subscriptions get you a weekly veggie box delivered to your doorstep. The size of the box (and the price) depends on the season but we aim to include a balance of salad leaves, cooking greens, an allium and seasonal veggies each week.
Saturday pop-up
For locals who prefer to choose their own veggies: find our veggies at Harvest and Light in Geeveston every Saturday. The pop-up opens at 9am and includes veggies from a few local producers as well as other treats and staples like fresh sourdough bread.
Farmstay
For those living further away: come and stay! Our self-contained cabin is designed for you to be able to relax and reconnect with life's simple pleasures, including fresh food. We provide you with breakfast ingredients and salad ingredients from the garden. We love giving guests a garden tour.
Some recipe ideas
Chard and other leafy greens
(more coming soon)
Broad beans
(Coming soon)
Fennel
(coming soon)
Green tomatoes
(coming soon)
Who we are
A little more about us
Old Orchard Farm is a small-scale sustainable farm in Tasmania’s Huon Valley started by us: Alex and Christie. After watching one-too-many videos about the possibilities of permaculture, no-dig gardening, regenerative agriculture and similar practices we decided to quit city life and try this for ourselves. That, and we fell in love with Tasmania like so many mainlanders who come here on holidays. So in December 2019 we drove off the Spirit of Tasmania to start a new chapter in life. Our backgrounds in economics and finance mean that we moved here with skills to make a great crop plan in Excel, countless hours of online research in our heads and a lot to learn about the practicalities of market gardening. But it’s been a great adventure so far and we’re looking forward to the future! More of the story of our first year is at www.paddockbythehuon.com.
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Like much of the Huon Valley, there was an apple orchard on the property for many years. After the market fell away in the 1970s the orchard was turned into pasture. Although we’re focussing on growing vegetables over time we're gradually adding more fruit and nut trees.
We have a Cardigan Corgi called Ebbi who loves hanging out with us in the garden – often in precarious places like under a wheelbarrow or our feet.
The market garden is around 1600m2, including paths. There are 60 permanent beds outdoors that are 10 metres by 75 cm and five poly tunnels of different lengths (5m to 20m).
Over time we plan to scale up production in this same space by getting better at what we do rather than expanding further. It's amazing what can be produced in a small space!
We’re trying to improve the soil and its biodiversity over time. We think we can grow delicious healthy vegetables by ensuring our plants are healthy and the complex ecosystem is as alive as possible. We are spray-free (we do use natural amendments like seaweed concentrate). Ultimately we want as many nutrients as possible to come from our property. It might all sound idealistic but there are farmers doing it already all over the world – including in the Huon Valley! – and we want to be a part of that movement.