You will find Mt Compass Orchards at the Willunga Farmers Market every Saturday, but there may be a short break between apples and cherries (Oct/Nov).

Product line: apples, pears, cherries, stonefruit, fresh fruit juice, (apple and apple & cherry) and dried apple chips.

Not many people wake up one morning and decide to plant 20,000 fruit trees! However Tony and Anna Russo did just that and Willunga Farmers Market customers are reaping the rewards.

In March 2002 Tony and Anna purchased just over 18 hectares in Mt Compass to start a new venture with a high-density fruit orchard.

The orchard is a testimony to the Russo’s backbreaking work. Cherries are the major crop. There are 18 varieties all with different flavours and characteristics; tangy, sweet, crunchy or soft. Come and try them all. They are available throughout Xmas, New Year and into the summer holidays with cherry orders welcome.

Other orchard fruit include apples (7 varieties), pears (7 varieties), plums (11 varieties), peacharines/nectarines (4 varieties), peaches (4 varieties), and apricots (4 varieties). Early, mid, and late season varieties are grown to provide fruit throughout much of the year.

Tony’s approach to horticulture is based on traditional farming practices. Grasses and clovers are grown in the middle of rows and slashed regularly then mulched under the tree canopy putting organic matter where it is needed.

Composted manures and dolomite-crushed rock are applied while fish emulsion and kelp stimulate earthworm and microbe soil populations building up the soil profile.

Look out for Mt Compass Orchard’s mouth-watering range of delicious fruits also available at the farm gate. They are open every day throughout the summer holidays except for Xmas and Boxing Day.

Mt Compass Orchards
Address: located on the Victor Harbor Rd 700m south of Mt Compass
Farm gate sales available – signs are posted when fruit is available.
P/F: 08 8556 8684
M: 0411 260 761 
E: anna.russo(at)bigpond.com