Number 30 Map 2 on the Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail Map
Around 50 years ago, Sue Ford's parents bought the property now known as Ford's Farm, primarily to use as a weekender. Ford's Farm is located at Wiseman's Ferry, an idyllic location beside the Hawkesbury River, which flows lazily by the farm.
They planted mandarin trees many years ago, 6 or 7 of which are still producing fruit today.
Today many of the old trees have been removed and in their stead twice as many have been replanted! In addition to the mandarins, lemons, oranges and limes are also grown.
This area is known as a citrus bowl for Sydney, and the trees flourish here. The chief reason for their success is that the citrus trees can withstand "wet feet" should the river flood.
Around 5 years ago the family opened up the farm to the "pick your own" market. Prior to this they had had their fruit carted to the markets at Flemington (limes and cumquats are still sent to the markets). The family has enjoyed success from cutting out the middle man and offering value to the public by giving them access to fresh fruit direct from the trees.
The mandarin season runs from the beginning of June and runs until all the fruit has gone - generally around the middle of August. The farm is open to the public on weekends and public holidays from 10.00am until 4.00pm. There are also sheep and bees kept on the property and products such as jams and preserves are also for sale, a delicious result of an abundance of fruit.
The rest of the year is spent undertaking maintenance of the orchards - fertilising, pruning, mowing, replanting or replacing trees and spraying weeds.
I ask Sue Ford what she thinks the family might do when she retires- a long way off yet.
"I talk about selling," she responds. "But really you can't beat it. We are an hour away from the city and yet it is so peaceful and quiet here. I can walk to the wharf and throw a line in whenever I want to!"
I love the thought of Sue, fishing off her wharf, the air scented with citrus.
Ford's Farm
1275 Singleton Road
Wisemans Ferry
02 4566 3127
Please visit the Hawkesbury Harvest website
Comments