COUNTRY CALENDAR: DAFFODILS

It’s spring, and at McFarlane’s Flower Market in Christchurch, for growers like daffodil grower, Bill Chamberlain, business is blooming. Bill’s father bought Ellesmere farm in 1877 and ran a Hereford stud and grew grain. In 1933 flowers were introduced to Hadstock Gardens. Bill’s father started growing tulips and when Bill took over the farm he decided to diversify and in 1953 imported 6000 daffodil bulbs from Holland. His two daughters, a son and three full-time staff, work with him. Hadstock Gardens boasts as being one of the most diversified farms in Canterbury, growing peas, wheat, barley, tulips, irises and daffodils. 75 cows and 1800 breeding ewes are also run on the 800 acre farm.