Taminick mixed farmers Polly and Graham Sudholz will open their orchard to the public on Sunday.

Mr Sudholz said they wanted to minimise the waste from their 800 trees, which were now laden with fruit.

“The trees are 100 years old, they’re not irrigated, our sheep run underneath them, which keeps them healthy and trimmed up,” he said.

“They’re not certified organic but there’s been no sprays or fertilisers used on them for 15 years and probably even longer.”

Having moved to the sheep property, Wilden Grange, from Kotupna two years ago, Mr Sudholz said they had been looking for ways to reduce waste from the orchard.

He said there was a Valencia crop in winter and navels in spring.

“The last 12 months we’ve had big crops because of the two wet seasons before this year,” he said.

“The orchard is not something we intended to make a living out of but we wanted to find a home for the fruit.”

Ms Sudholz said Beechworth Food Coop suggested they offer pick-your-own.

She said it was a family-friendly activity in a beautiful spot for a winter picnic.

“It’s during the school holidays; people can come and enjoy what we take for granted, the property backs on to the Warby Ranges,” she said.

There will be a juice, tea and coffee station.

The pick-your-own oranges cost $1.50 a kilogram.

BYO carrying vessels. 

The property, which is at 114 Booth Road, Taminick, is open 10am to 3pm.