Down on the Farm

Garlic of all varieties seem to be the rage at the Farmers Markets, so your intrepid farmer/reporter went in search of a ‘garlic farm’.

To my delight I found one in Corndale owned by Kerry and Daryl Pellat, Their farm is a hidden secret because as you pass it on the Corndale road you would never guess that they also produce a wide variety of fruit and vegies; every part of this farm is utilised to produce some form of edible vegetation.

The Pellats sell at both Bangalow and Byron Farmers markets as well as selling at the farm gate. Whilst boasting a large range of varieties of garlic the most popular are the Russian and Glenlarge with an Italian variety being very popular with restauranteurs and gourmets. As you drive along you may be interested to know that each of the beds of garlic can produce up to 150 kilos of garlic. The garlic is planted in March and is ready for drying in September for six weeks. The cloves are planted (pointy end upwards) 100mm down and six cloves across in a ripped soil with a thick layer of mulch.

The Russian garlic is characteristic of a big clove with a nutty, onion flavour whereas the Glenlarge has a stronger, bigger clove. Both are particularly popular and are in great demand at the markets.

As well as keeping busy with the garlic the Pellats are going through Organic Certification in Conversion and grow blueberries, oranges, figs, proteas, pecans and pink finger-limes! With three children and working off farm they have a hectic farm life.

Interestingly this farm has also been known for its UFO sightings and in May of 1966 clippings from the Northern Star comment on how many people in Corndale saw strange lights one night and a strange mark was left near one of the trees that leads up to the house. Kerry informed me that people claimed to get a strange vibration from the tea tree and that it still only flowers on one side.

What is great about this farm is the care that goes into all the varieties of fruit and vegies that the Pellats produce and that care is clearly shown in the quality of the produce you see at the markets. Kerry is a ‘hive of information’ regarding her crops and has also turned her hand in the past to other work such as ‘husking’ macadamia nuts and fruit sorting. It’s nice to know that we still have a few hidden treasures such as this farm in the area.

Thanks Kerry and Daryl!

Stay tuned - next month ‘Cattle’.

By Cath Ford

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