This month we feature avocado producers Ron and Sandy Lindsay, who live on their property, Paddy’s Hollow, on the northern edge of the Comboyne plateau.

The combination of deep, red volcanic soils and their northerly aspect has created the ideal growing conditions for avocados.

The northern sloping aspect also protects the trees and the fruit from those drying westerly winds which are endemic to this area.

Ron and Sandy have established 900 avocado trees. 

They focus on two varieties, Hass and Reed with 95 per cent of their avocados marketed in bulk through a packing house and the other five per cent sold at the Wingham Farmers’ Market and the little Tuesday market outside Bent on Food.

They have a no chemical policy on their avocado trees and use only organic fertilisers, composted manures, Biocast+ spray, seaweed solution and Ekihi liquid fertiliser.

They say this combination of organic fertilisers gives the avocado trees a great boost.  Avocado trees are susceptible to sooty mould and the Biocast+ helps keep that controlled.

Avocados are an extremely diverse fruit and can be used in many ways.

Some use it as a butter substitute on a sandwich or slathered on toast for breakfast. 

It makes a fabulous dip with just lime juice or a Mexican style guacamole with chilli, tomato and onion.

Some just like to add it to a salad, and others eat it with a spoon out of the skin and some people use it with cocoa and sweeteners to make a raw cakes.

The avocados are picked firm as they don’t ripen on the tree. They travel and store well.  Depending on size, they can take anything from a few days to a few weeks to ripen. With a little planning and organising, you can buy enough to keep yourselves going for a month!

Wingham Farmers’ Market is held at Wingham Showground, on Gloucester Road, the first Saturday of each month between 8am and noon.

If you have something to sell at the markets, that you grow yourself or make yourself, new stallholders are always welcome.

Don’t forget if you have any excess produce, but not enough for your own stall, you are welcome to drop it at the Community Stall to be sold on your behalf.

Direct stall holder enquiries to Annette on 6550 7213.

There is more information at www.winghamfarmersmarket.org.au and on Facebook.