Mountain View Produce

“Pre-Covid, we had a small strawberry crop in with the herbs as an experiment,” explains Shane. “Our first crop of hydroponic strawberries was extremely well received so it seemed the obvious answer to plant a hydroponic crop post-Covid.” It wasn’t only their friends and family who loved the sweet, juicy strawberries the couple were growing. They also approached a greengrocer in Christchurch who, with 30 years’ industry experience behind her, proclaimed Mountain View Produce strawberries the best she’d ever tasted.

The Barwells attribute the superior taste and quality of their strawberries to the hydroponic process. Growing in natural water-based nutrient solution means the plants have no nutrient stressors and can focus all their energy into flavour development. Growing under cover also means the strawberries attract fewer pests and diseases, which means no nasty chemical sprays.

Things were ticking along beautifully in the approach to their second strawberry season when, unexpectedly, their strawberry crops were decimated by a bug infestation. “Unfortunately, with the heat, the humidity and lengthy delays in getting beneficial bugs down from the North Island, we lost the advantage,” explains Alica.

Facing their second business disaster, it would have been easy to walk away. But the couple are nothing if not resilient, so they circled back to their original idea of growing herbs. Their hydroponic set-up, spray-free ethos and careful plant care all lend as perfectly to herbs as they do strawberries, and the results of their herb crops (which included coriander, lettuce leaf basil, Thai basil, Genovese basil, thyme, parsley, celery, watercress and rocket) were – unsurprisingly – once again exceptional.

With both crops now confirmed as solid successes, the Barwells have created a year-round income stream for themselves and a year-round supply of delicious produce for their dedicated customers.