Nelson’s Harvest Season: Timber Solutions for Orchardists & Home Gardeners
The crisp morning air in the Tasman district carries a familiar scent—the sweetness of ripening Gala apples and the earthy promise of a bumper pear crop. As February rolls around, Nelson transforms. Ladders are leaned against heavy branches, and the hum of the harvest begins. But for any seasoned orchardist or dedicated home gardener, the excitement of a great season is often met with a practical headache: where do you put it all?
If you are tired of flimsy plastic buckets that split under pressure or generic bins that bruise your premium fruit, you aren’t alone. A successful harvest isn't just about picking; it’s about protection. This year, Plankville is helping locals level up their harvest game with custom-built timber crates and bins designed right here in Richmond. Whether you have three backyard trees or three hundred, the right timber solution ensures your hard work doesn’t go to waste.
Key Takeaways:
Built for Nelson: Custom sizes designed specifically for local apple and pear varieties.
Natural Protection: Timber offers superior breathability and shock absorption compared to plastic.
Sustainability: Made from locally sourced, renewable NZ timber like Macrocarpa and Douglas Fir.
Longevity: Repairable and rugged, these bins are built to last for decades of harvests.
Why Timber Bins Beat Plastic Every Time
In the world of mass production, it’s easy to grab a few plastic crates and hope for the best. However, timber has been the gold standard for fruit harvesting since the first orchards were planted in the Moutere Hills for a reason.
Breathability and Temperature Control Fruit is a living thing; it "breathes" even after it's picked. Plastic bins often trap heat and moisture, which can lead to rapid ripening or, worse, rot. Timber is naturally porous. It allows for subtle airflow and helps regulate temperature, keeping your Braeburns and Taylors Gold pears cooler and crunchier for longer.
Gentle on Your Harvest Plastic can be slick and hard. When fruit is dropped in, it bounces and bruises. Wood has a natural "give." The texture of a well-crafted timber bin provides a softer landing, reducing the "scuffing" that can ruin the shelf life of your fruit.
The Rugged Reality of the Orchard Let’s be honest: harvests are messy. Bins get bumped by tractors, stacked high in sheds, and left in the sun. While plastic becomes brittle and cracks over time, timber grows seasoned. If a slat breaks on a Plankville bin, you simply replace the piece of wood. If a plastic bin cracks, it’s destined for the landfill.
Custom Solutions for Every Scale
At Plankville, we don't believe in "one size fits all." Your harvest needs are as unique as your garden.
For the Home Gardener: Small, stackable "Harvest Totes" that look beautiful on the porch but are tough enough for the mud. These are perfect for those with a few heritage trees who want to store fruit in the garage over winter.
For the Boutique Orchardist: Medium-sized crates that fit perfectly on a standard trailer or Ute bed. We can customise the height and width to ensure you aren't hauling empty space.
For the Commercial Grower: Heavy-duty, forklift-ready timber bins. These are reinforced at the corners and base to handle the weight of a full season's yield without buckling.
The Plankville Difference: Local Expertise
When you choose a bin from Plankville, you are supporting a local Richmond business that understands the Tasman climate. We use high-quality, locally grown timbers like Macrocarpa and Redwood. These woods are naturally resistant to the elements, meaning they won't rot the moment they touch the damp Nelson soil.
Our team takes pride in craftsmanship. We understand that a bin isn't just a box—it’s a tool that helps you feed your family or run your business. That’s why we offer custom measurements. You tell us what you’re picking and how you’re moving it, and we’ll build the solution that fits.
Ready to Secure Your Harvest?
Don't wait until your trees are overflowing and the birds have started their feast. The best time to prep for the harvest is now.
Whether you need a single custom crate for your backyard bounty or a fleet of bins for your orchard, Plankville is ready to build it. Let’s make sure this season’s harvest is your most successful—and most organised—yet.
Contact Plankville today for a quote on your custom harvest bins!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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The "MainPack" season typically kicks off in mid-February, starting with early varieties like Royal Gala, and runs through until May for later varieties like Granny Smith and Pink Lady.
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While timber is sturdier, our designs focus on a balance of strength and weight. Using high-quality softwoods like Douglas Fir ensures the bins are manageable while remaining significantly more durable than thin-walled plastic alternatives.
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Yes! This is the core of what we do. We can build crates to your exact millimetre specifications to ensure they fit your transport or storage area perfectly.
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A simple hosing down and allowing them to air-dry in the Nelson sun is usually all they need. Because we use high-quality timbers, they naturally resist the buildup of many common fungi compared to cheaper, untreated woods.
