From Three Weeks to Nineteen Years; The Life of an Orchard Manager

The morning sun rises over Spreyton, catching the mist that lingers between rows of apple and cherry trees. For Matt Baldock, this view has become as familiar as the back of his hand. Nearly two decades of seasons have taught him the rhythm of the orchard, when to prune, when to spray, when to harvest, and when to simply let the trees breathe. Yet this life was never part of his original plan.

In 2007, Matt had just left his job at a large smelter factory and was even thinking about heading back to the mainland. His father, Chris, who had been working in orchards since the early seventies, mentioned there was some casual work available at Spreyton Fresh. Having grown up around the orchards, Matt already had bits and pieces of experience, so he decided to take on three weeks of work as a stopgap before returning to mining. What started as a short-term job soon became something much bigger – that “temporary” role has now stretched into nineteen years and counting.

The rhythm of the orchard

Farming, Matt has learned, must constantly evolve. If it does not, it falls behind. Over the years, he has seen new systems adopted to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance the fruit itself, firmer, better-tasting apples and cherries that locals proudly call simply Tasmanian, a word that symbolises the best quality in the world!

The orchard’s rhythm follows the seasons.

• Winter is for pruning, removing weak trees, and preparing the soil. Guided by the “soil man,” who prescribes nutrient blends after testing, the land is treated so that when spring arrives, the trees are ready to surge into life.
• Spring brings blossoms, and with them sprayed applications of minerals, foliar fertilisers and other products, combined with careful monitoring. To ensure the transformation from flower to fruit, delivers the best possible outcomes.
• Pest management continues year-round, carefully targeting problem insects and arachnids while ensuring that our hardworking beneficial animals, including tiny predatory mites, wasps and golden orb spiders and our 50+ hives of bees are protected and allowed to thrive!
• Harvest is the busiest season of all. Cherries are picked in December and January, apples from March through May, each variety ripening in its own time. It is, as Matt describes, “all hands on deck.”

Challenges and rewards

Matt describes his relationship with the orchard as a “love-hate relationship.” He knows the land so well that if someone mentions a problem, he can walk straight to it. But the work can be unforgiving. A tree pruned poorly one winter may struggle with yield for years. Pests, weather, or timing can ruin a crop despite months of care.

And yet, the rewards are undeniable. When a tree flourishes and produces fruit of exceptional quality, Matt feels it has repaid the effort. To watch a bare branch, grow into a canopy heavy with fruit is, in his words, “very rewarding.”

People bring their own challenges too. Each year, harvest draws workers from around the globe. Managing different languages, cultures, and personalities can be tough, but it has also been one of the most enriching parts of the job.

COVID, however, was the hardest challenge of all. Labour shortages left growers across Australia in crisis. “It was a real what the hell moment,” Matt recalls. The return of backpackers has helped, but the industry now relies heavily on seasonal labour from Pacific Island nations through the government’s scheme, a vital support for orchards like Spreyton Fresh.

Looking to the future

Matt is realistic about the path ahead. Farming, he says, cannot rely on tradition alone. Automation and artificial intelligence will play a central role in keeping orchards viable. Machines that can learn, adapt, and handle repetitive tasks will be the next great shift, ensuring efficiency while freeing growers to focus on quality.

What began as a three-week job has become Matt Baldock’s life’s work. His story is not only about apples and cherries but about resilience, adaptability, and the quiet satisfaction of watching the land respond to care. In Spreyton, the orchards are more than fields of trees. They are a way of life and Matt is firmly rooted in them.