Take off for down-to-earth tours

SUCCESSFUL small-plot farmers around the Huon will open their gates to the public as part of a new range of Market Garden Tours.

ORGANIC FARMER Alex Taylor from Golden Valley market garden near Cygnet, picture with his partner Christina Urso-Cale Picture;KIM EISZELE

SUCCESSFUL small-plot farmers around the Huon will open their gates to the public next month as part of a new range of Market Garden Tours.

Alex Taylor, a former chef, is passionate about organic food production and has turned the dream of growing his own food into a viable business at Golden Valley Farm. Christina Urso-Cale shares the joy of growing by helping out in the half hectare intensive market garden.

The farm has recently harvested carrots, beets, turnips, peas, snap peas, beans, zucchini, salad mix, rocket, onions, fennel and basil.

As a member of Huon Producers Network, Golden Valley Farm, along with Surges Bay Orchard and the Poppysmic Produce Market Garden, open their gates for Market Garden Tours on February 6 and 7.

Mr Taylor told the Mercury he loved growing and the present dry conditions had actually been good for his farm in some small ways.

“We have two large dams and with the dry we have less weeds and it’s easier to work the soil but spend more time watering,” Mr Taylor said.

For more information, go to huonproducers.com.au

For more rural news, see Tasmanian Country, out every Friday.