Plantsman Lawrie Cooke remembered for his contribution to New Zealand horticulture

Hastings nurseryman Lawrence E. Cooke, who founded one of the oldest surviving fruit tree nurseries still in operation, passed away on 15 October 2022 at the age of 91.

Lawrie Cooke and his wife Jan

His father was a builder and Lawrie, as he was known, helped his mother cultivate a huge house section where they grew lots of vegetables. He was only about six years old at the time, so perhaps this was where he developed his ‘green fingers’!

He did have an interest in farming, but when the high school career’s adviser told him about an apprenticeship that was going at Wilson’s Nurseries in Pakowhai Road, Lawrie commenced a four-year apprenticeship with Donald Wilson, at the age of 19. He became a proficient budder, training in both fruit trees and ornamentals.

His starting wage was two pounds, three shillings and fourpence a week and he broke three chop hoe handles on his first day. His only other horticultural qualification was a two-week nursery apprenticeship course at Massey University.

After his apprenticeship he worked for a berryfruit and rose grower Ian Tustin for two years before going out on his own. L.E.Cooke, Nurseryman Ltd was established in 1956, first growing asparagus plants and roses (until the mid-1970s), as well as stonefruit trees.

Later he grew apple trees, which over time became a large part of the nursery’s business. Lawrie took an interest in sports of apple varieties, including Galaxy, Mawfu and Lady in Red, and moved to increase stocks of such trees quickly. He leased many blocks of land over the years for apple tree propagation.

He met his future wife, Jan, in 1959 and they were married in 1963. The hard-working couple ran the nursery together for decades, working side-by-side, often until late in the evening. He was proud of the quality of his plants and would never send out lesser quality trees to clients.

Lawrie and Jan lived in Frimley, Hastings for nine years before moving to 14 acres on Wilson Road, which was their home for 45 years and remained the nursery base until 2012. A further 18 acres was purchased in Lyndhurst Road, Frimley in 1985. Half of this block, under Lawrie’s management, was planted in Golden Queen peaches and the fruit sold to Wattie’s for canning, while the other half was planted in nursery trees.

Lawrie’s nursery business grew apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums for orchardists, as well as catering to the home gardener in addition to a large number of garden centres, that continue to be a big part of the nursery’s clientele. In earlier years they also grew various vegetable crops for the produce markets. What stands the nursery apart from competitors even now is the wide range of varieties they grow.

Lawrie's block of Golden Queen peaches

He was also involved in training young horticulturalists through his role as chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Cadet Scheme, and for a number of years Lawrie was a member of the Horticultural Advisory Group at the Eastern Institute of Technology.

Lawrie was involved throughout his career with industry bodies. He was a Life Member of Summerfruit NZ and Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association and the chairman of the National Fruit Tree Growers Group. His efforts were recognised when he became the recipient of the Gold Award from the Fruit Industry Plant Improvement Agency for his outstanding contribution to the industry.

Lawrie and Jan retired in 2012 after running the nursery together for decades, and their son Martin and daughter-in-law Kelli took over. Lawrie worked until age 80. The couple moved to a retirement village in Havelock North in 2017.

The nursery has been operating now for 66 years and has retained its original name. A reserve and playground with a horticultural theme in Frimley, close to the spot where he started his nursery, has been named The Lawrie Cooke Reserve in his honour.

Lawrie is survived by his wife Jan, son Martin, daughters Margot and Lisa and grandchildren Greer, Blair, Ophelia and Ella.

First published in the March 2023 issue of The Orchardist magazine.