A life and love for orcharding

Growing up on an orchard in Central Otago, Stephen Darling said he would never become an orchardist. “It was too much hard work,” he says.

Yet the industry drew him in . . .  and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Here I am, thoroughly enjoying fruit growing. I find it rewarding to see a crop go full cycle, from winter through to spring bud burst and summer harvest, as well as that full cycle from first planting and growth through to maturing for production and harvest, and the end result of fruit for selling.”

Stephen Darling, along with wife Sally, and brother Mark, run Darlings Fruit, a family orcharding business that was started in 1963 by Stephen’s parents Bill and Joyce Darling.

Apples are their biggest crop by volume, with two orchard blocks dedicated to a range of varieties including Honey Crisp, Fuji, NZ Queen, Royal Gala and more. They also grow a range of stone fruit.

“Every variety has its challenges and certainly each variety has its own specific characteristics for growing and selling. We’ve chosen to have a selection of open and IP varieties as well. We grow a real mix,” he says.

Stephen says it is the diversity and challenge that keeps him coming back year after year.

“Creating something worthwhile that comes from the land, requires skill and effort. It’s never the same from year to year. Conditions are always changing, but the people we work with, who work alongside us and who we connect with in logistics and marketing, are amazing. We need every part to go right to get results and everyone involved at every step of the journey is brilliant.

“And then it’s the thing I find the most rewarding – being able to deliver great fruit to customers who appreciate it and want more, wherever in the world that may be.”