What people say

He just 'got' our vision and how to integrate it into the property.

We were recommended Benji & Laura Woodman of Forgotten Fruits by a friend who could not speak highly enough of them and their operation. 

Based in Auckland but having purchased 6 acres in Maungaturoto as a weekend escape and eventual retirement pad it was our dream to turn the bare land into an heirloom orchard with vege garden.  Our property is bordered with a stream on the Eastern Boundary with mature oaks and a railway forming the other other boundaries. 

"Step by step, month by month we have watched our dream turn into a very beautiful reality."

It is a beautiful piece of land with huge potential.  Right from the first meeting with Benji we knew he was the man for us.  He just 'got' our vision and how to integrate it into the property.  Step by step, month by month we have watched our dream turn into a very beautiful reality.  Such is our trust in Benji now that we allow him to press forward with the project with less input from us that we ever imagined.  Being based in Auckland with busy lives it is fantastic not to have to micro manage him.  We're so impressed with his creativity, reliability, attention to detail, following of the original brief and of course the budget.  The next phase for us is converting one of the main paddocks into a wetland.  We can't wait.

Jonny Rudduck & Nigel Shanks" Paparoa

"I consider myself very fortunate..."

Even before I moved onto my semi rural patch of dirt I knew I wanted to plant old fashioned varieties of fruit trees that would do well in this mild northland climate, so I googled to find a supplier and came across Forgotten Fruits. From my first meeting with Benji I felt he understood what I wanted to achieve and he and his team have been beside me every step of the way planning the whole 4 acre landscape and enthusiastically turning those plans into reality.

“From my first meeting with Benji I felt he understood what I wanted to achieve and he and his team have been beside me every step of the way”

Now two years later the orchard is producing its first fruits, the citrus and avocado trees are established and the native plantings are growing like Topsy. I know that Benji and his hardworking team will be there for future developments, and also for regular pruning, spraying and other projects that are in the pipeline. I consider myself very fortunate to have the wonderful Forgotten Fruits team helping me to achieve my dream, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone considering establishing an orchard or garden"

Di Partington, Mangawhai

Excellent service and is completely reliable and honest.

We have a lifestyle block in Mangawhai and we were keen to establish a home orchard as part of our grand plan. Benji Woodman was recommended to be me by a local who knew him and his work and I contacted Benji to see if he could help.

He sent me his Forgotten Fruits catalogue and I could see that this was exactly what we were after. He had a large range of heirloom fruit trees that he had collected and grown himself and he provided a full design, supply, plant, and maintainance service. We do not live on our block full time so it was important that I could get expertise and back up when I needed it. 

We met with Benji and soon the design of our orchard was completed. Benji came in and planted the trees himself. We had about 60 in our orchard, a mixture of apples, peaches, plums, pears, quince, persimmon, feijoa, figs, almonds and citrus and an interesting climbing cocktail kiwifruit to cover our water tank. I helped Benji plant but I suspect I was more of a hindrance because his energy levels are somewhat more elevated than mine. He really is a dynamo when it comes to hard work and I was amazed that in the space of a day our orchard was largely established. Benji came back later to mulch and stake the trees.

"He had a large range of heirloom fruit trees that he had collected and grown himself and he provided a full design, supply, plant, and maintenance service.."

The orchard is now 1 year old and it looks great. The trees are thriving and Benji thinks we will have fruit this summer. We don’t use any pesticide or insecticide treatments (in fact we have not had to spray them at all). Benji will prune them soon as we don’t have the expertise and it is important to get the correct framework from the start.

Benji is a very impressive and skilled nurseryman. His design service is excellent and he knows how and where to plant using what varieties taking into account all of the various factors of climate, terrain, soil conditions etc. On top of this he supplies the trees and provides a full planting and maintenance service all at extremely reasonable rates. He is a complete one stop shop when it comes to fruit trees except that the shop comes to you. We cannot speak highly enough of Benji and he will continue to help us develop our property. We are hoping to plant a large number of specialty apples next year and Benji will be doing all of that too as well as getting the shelter established this winter. It has been a pleasure to deal with Benji. He has provided an excellent service and is completely reliable and honest. We cannot speak highly enough of him and his Forgotten Fruits nursery.

Chris & Jo Hunt, Mangawhai  

A total transformation of my garden and orchard design

Dear Benji and Laura,

I felt compelled to write a testimonial endorsing your quality of workmanship, design vision and fantastic tree stock.

I first meet Benji approximately 2 ½ years ago after making some enquiries about learning how to prune etc.  On Benji’s first visit to my home he shared with me a total transformation of my garden and orchard design, which initially challenged my thinking.  Couple that with what I thought was a total decimation of my fruit trees in the pruning process I didn’t think we got off to a great start.  There was however something special about Benji and I felt he really understood our needs and had our best interests at heart.

"I have been totally blown away at how much better my Forgotten fruit trees have grown ..."

Once Benji had implemented his design ideas I watched my garden thrive and grow into something quite special.

I also ordered some additional trees that turned up looking very frail and nude at which I thought to myself there is no way they will survive.  I have been totally blown away at how much better my Forgotten fruit trees have grown against other trees I purchased elsewhere.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Benji and Laura from Forgotten fruits to anyone thinking about embarking on any outdoor project no matter how big or small and I wish them both all of the best in the future.

Kind regards
Brendon Fox - Managing Director, HRV Northland  Glenbervie