The potager-style vegetable garden holds a prime position in a sunny stone-walled enclosure which was originally the domain of the estate's stallions. Here, a huge range of seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts and mushrooms - including exotic and rare heritage varietals - is grown organically for the table. Guests can even accompany the chef to select vegetables for their own evening meal.
Apples, pears, quince, and other fruit abound in Otahuna’s orchard which includes many trees from the Edwardian era. Recently restored and redeveloped are two of the estate's original outbuildings, the Melon Shed and the Apple Store. The Melon Shed is a Victorian glasshouse devoted to the growth of tropical fruits such as tahitian and finger limes and cucumbers that grow up to a metre in length. On the other side of the orchard, guests are invited to explore the Apple Store, a root cellar which today provides the perfect climate to support a diverse array of mushrooms.
The planting plan for the current season includes the following:
Vegetables
Artichoke - Green Globe
Artichoke - Jerusalem
Asparagus - Jersey Giant
Bean - Climbing Cobra
Bean - Fin de Bagnols
Bean - Flat Runner
Bean - King of the Blues Runner
Bean – Yard Long Runner
Bean - Shiny Fardenlosa
Beetroot - Kestrel
Beetroot – Detroit Dark
Broad Bean - Dwarf Early
Broccoli - Premium Green
Broccoli – Summer Green
Brussel Sprouts - Igor
Cabbage - Conehead
Cabbage - Pak Choi
Cabbage - Wong Bok
Cabbage - Vertus Savoy
Cabbage - Chinese Napa Blue
Cabbage – Scarlet O’Hara
Capsicum Chilli – Asian Fire
Capsicum Chilli -Hungarian Wax
Capsicum Chilli - Jalapeno
Capsicum Chilli - Serrano
Capsicum Pepper - Cornos
Capsicum Pepper - California Wonder
Carrot - Solar Yellow
Carrot - Samantha
Carrot - Mini Sweet
Carrot - White
Cauliflower - All Year Round
Cauliflower - Neckar Pearl
Celeriac - Mars
Celery - Utah
Chicory – Red Treviso
Corn - Florida Supersweet
Courgette – Gold Rush
Courgette – Black Coral
Cucumber – Tendergreen
Eggplant - Midnight
Florence Fennel - Milano
Florence Fennel - Finale
Garlic - Elephant
Kale - Blue Ridge
Kale - Cavolo Nero
Kohlrabi - Purple Vienna
Kohlrabi - Green Duke
Leek - Lungo
Leek - Carentan Giant
Lettuce - Great Lakes
Lettuce - Tin Tin Cos
Lettuce - Vivian
Lettuce - Maricella
Onion – Italian Long Keeper
Onion - White Sweet Spanish
Onion - Purpelette
Onion - Shallot Zebrune
Onion - Spring Ishikura
Parsnip - Javelin
Parsnip - Supersnip
Pea - Snow Oregon
Pea - Alderman
Potato - Rua
Potato - Moonlight
Potato - Rocket
Potato - Purple Passion
Pumpkin - Musquee de Provence
Pumpkin - Australian Butternut
Pumpkin - Whangaparoa Crown
Pumpkin - Sugarpie
Radish - Red Cherry
Radish - Pink Beauty
Rhubarb - Victoria
Salsify
Silverbeet - Brightlights
Spinach - Upright
Spinach - Medley
Turnip - Tokyo Cross
Tomato – Artisan Blush
Tomato – Bloody Butcher
Tomato – Brandywine Pink
Tomato – Chef's Choice Black
Tomato – Chef's Choice Orange
Tomato – Chef's Choice Yellow
Tomato - Green Zebra
Tomato - Honeybee
Tomato – Jaune Flamme
Tomato - Thessaloniki
Tomato - Tigerella
Tomato – Vintage Wine
Yam - Purple
Fruits
Apple - Braeburn
Apple – Bramley
Apple - Charles Ross
Apple - Gala
Apple – Glengyle Red
Apple - Golden Delicious
Apple - Granny Smith
Apple - Johnathan Red
Apple - Red Delicious
Apple - Russet Various
Apple – Sturmer
Blueberry
Cape Gooseberry
Currant - Black Sefton
Currant - Red
Fig - Brown Turkey
Goji Berry
Grape - Niagara
Grape – Schuyler
Lemon - Meyer
Lime - Makrut Kaffir
Lime - Tahitian
Lime - Caviar
Medlar
Melon - Topaz
Melon - Karela
Melon - Hales Best
Mulberry - Black
Nectarine - Garden Delight
Peach - Elegant Lady
Pear - Forelle
Pear – Halesowen
Pear – Josephine de Malines
Pear - Bartlett
Pear - Nashi
Pear - Taylors Gold
Pear - Uvedale St Germain
Pear – Williams Bon Chretien
Quince - De Vranja
Raspberry – Waiau
Raspberry – Jackies Pride
Strawberry - Camarosa
Strawberry - Seascape
Herbs
Basil - Sweet Genovese
Basil - Thai
Bay Leaf
Borage
Chervil
Chives - Broad Leaf
Coriander - Slowbolt
Dill - Dukat
Fennel - Sweet Leaf
Galangal
Garlic - Society
Ginger - Myoga
Horseradish
Lemon balm
Lemongrass
Marjoram - Sweet
Mint - Spearmint
Mint - Peppermint
Mint - Vietnamese
Oregano - Greek
Parsley - Italian
Rosemary - Tuscan
Saffron
Sage - Broad Leaf
Sage - Pineapple
Salad - Mesclun Mild
Salad - Mesclun Italian
Salad - Lettuce Red Mix
Sorrel
Tarragon - French
Thyme - Pizza
Wasabi
Nuts
Hazelnut
Walnut
Mushrooms
Oyster
Porcini
Shiitake
Lion's Mane