Sweet Pea Saga

Five years ago when Patricia Unwin came to Gisborne, more or less by chance, she had no idea that a featureless block of farm land near the main Wai-paoa traffic bridge was to become her home and her absorbing interest in life.

Today the farm land, protected from the ravages of flooding by high banks which separate it from the big river, is a flourishing sweet pea farm, from which large quantities of pedigree seed are shipped to England each season.

With a friend, Miss Eileen Dixon, who is a partner in the enterprise, Miss Unwin built a home, cultivated the land, planted it, and saw their venture grow to be an outstanding success. The young women were encouraged throughout by Miss Unwin's father, who is head of a large British seed business.

Although most of the seed goes to England, an increasing portion is now being sold on the more profitable, New Zealand market.

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Pet goat has its uses......helps keep rough ground tidy.

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From verandah of home, Pat Unwin looks out over sweet pea farm.

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Working among the blooms