Pleasant River Produce

14/02/2026

Some people say that these are the best tasting slicing tomatoes in the world, others need another bite. Pink Berkeley Tie Dye and Ananas Noire are relentlessly abundant right now. I'm kind of hoping this is peek production. A much better season than last year despite the miserable summer, I'm putting that down to variety selection, mid season compost application and white plastic on the ground. Please help me

04/02/2026

"Summer Pruning Workshop
22nd February 1 to 4
Dunback

Join Rory Harding and Jason Ross for a practical, hands-on pruning workshop hosted by Otago Organics. The workshop will be in a well-established mixed orchard in Dunback, East Otago.
Summer pruning (and training) is valuable for managing tree size and canopy density, leading to improved accessibility and fruit quality.

You will learn how to prune fruit trees with care, using modern techniques for each tree species.

Bring a hat, water and pruning gear if you have it.

Afternoon tea is provided.

Spaces are limited, so get in quick.

Tickets $40 or $20 for Otago Organics members.

https://events.humanitix.com/summer-pruning-workshop-k25ybfmz

09/12/2025

Penny's a gem!

23/10/2025

I'll be selling some organic strawberry and tomato plants as part of the plant stall at the Karitane book sale, Saturday 10-2. Varieties include Sungold, Black Cherry, Pink Berkeley Tie Die, Ananas Noire, Gardeners Delight, Jedvale and Brad's Atomic Grape. Come get some plants and some books and some delicious kai.

23/07/2025

How can a grower sustain themselves into the future?

I spent the weekend with 50 others, from all over the motu, talking over these sorts of questions. We had wide ranging discussions from the macro to the micro, and it was all deeply personal.

I came away from the weekend with a sense of community and solidarity, and with some trepidation and conversely optimism - for how can we address a problem if it hasn't been identified?
This weekend we pointed at our challenges and we began to find solutions.

I'm really proud of what was achieved this weekend, and it was made possible by the generosity of all involved.

Today begins with a negative 5 freeze, a good morning to do a little planning, to learn from last year's mistakes, and make changes for the season to come.

07/03/2025

Come along for a lovely afternoon in my garden. This is to raise funds for The Local Growers Hui, an event being put on by Otago Organics, with help from Village Agrarians and Good Food Dunedin.
Please share ❤🌱

19/01/2025

Sarah and Hayden from the DCC came out to talk to me last Autumn. I think they did a great job with this video, making some sense from my babbling. It is part of a resource they have created with and Good Food Dunedin for those wanting to grow food for Ōtepoti.
Also, Otago Organics is currently organising a growers hui for winter. We are wanting this to focus on the realities of growing food for market, with some fiscally honest discussions about how we can grow better into the future. Open to all, if you are interested, or want to inform the content, let me know.
ftw in my current context anyway.

Take a look into the operation of Pleasant River Produce as John and his family cultivate a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Discover how their farm o...

14/03/2024

12/10/2023

Looking forward to this series of workshops. Village Agrarians is doing great work creating conversations and opportunities in the growing space.
🌱❤

Food prices are high, and we know we need more people growing more food for our communities. Our food needs to be accessible and affordable and also needs to be produced in a way that mitigates, and can respond to, climate change.

17/09/2023

Seed raising workshop in Balclutha this weekend. Graham is a wealth of knowledge and a great communicator.

Come and join us for a seed raising workshop
You will go home with some seeds .Children welcome

29/08/2023

Some lovely people said some nice things about me so I've been included in this celebration of farmers. Not mentioned in my profile piece is that I am able to do this due to the support of many, but most especially due to the support of my partner Allison.
And of course the revelation of no till.
If you feel like I need more beer and meat in my life you can cast a vote my way.

https://www.odt.co.nz/rural-life/farmlands-peoples-choice/grower-finds-his-feet-after-tragedy