Hastings Farm is not a Charity Organisation but a private
family venture to help and give the masses of Hastings a new lease of life and hope after the devastating uprising in
the Country.
The construction of the the workers quarters and kitchen has been completed and the main
accomodation and Offices has also been completed.
Work on the piggery and poultry houses are in the final stages of completion.
I have visited the farm three times since November 2004 and have been taking out one
year old live dormant fruit trees and grape vines of the Californian and Northern Australian and mainly Tropical Varieties.
The crops and varieties already planted on the farm are:
Grapes--Himrod, Fosters seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, Muscat Hamburg, Black
Hamburg, Thompsons Seedless, Alicante, Flame and Vanessa.
Apples:--Braeburn, Granny Smith, Dunn's Seedling, Anna Boelens, Winter Banana,
Dr Kidds Orange and Newtown Peppin (M26).
Pear:--Conference, Devoe, Williams, and Shinseikii (Quince C).
Peach:--Bellegarde (Pixy).
Nectarine:--Humbolt (Pixy).
Kiwi:--Kiwi Jenny (self fertile).
Prunning and fruit set on two varieties of the grapes proved a success. The Muscat of
Alexandria and the Black Hamburg each have three average size bunches. No fruit thinning has been done since this is the first
crop and left on for evaluation purposes.
These crops are grown on organic basis using animal and poultry manure and garden composts.
The other tropical trees like Mangos, Cashew, Citrus, Bell Apples, Star Fruit, Custard
Apples, Sweet Sap, Date Palms, Guava and Sweet Chestnuts are doing extremely well.
The nursery of prunned grape vines have already been planted in permanent positions.
Six Months of rain will help the roots establish properly.
This is our photo album of the
visit in February/March 2004.
I will upload more pictures in future.
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