Holbrook Forest Garden

The Holbrook family have bold plans to convert their 2.46 hectare farmland paddocks into an organic food forest and flower farm. Planting began in earnest in 2016 with visionary Heidi at the helm.

The farm was originally part of Carterton’s Carrington Estate. Apple Tree Cottage, now operating as a Bed and Breakfast used to house the farm workers in the 1890s. The family home was relocated from Dannevirke in 2016 and is currently being renovated.

The surrounding land was formerly a sheep and dairy farm. It has taken lots of preparation to get the soil ready for growing. Soil tests followed by layering of seaweed, green crops, compost, arborist mulch and aeration have been their starting point.

The vision for the property is to have the surrounds in native bush, the layering of a food forest with the organic flower farm integrated in a permaculture style. Over time, a boutique brewery, picklery, tree house accommodation and natural swimming pond will be added.