Melons with attitude

Bluey’s Outback Farm is owned by Kirsten and Volker (Bluey) Stoldt.

“We started farming in the Ord in 1993, after migrating from Germany to Australia. Today we are growing approximately 250 hectares of Cucurbits, including seedless and seeded Watermelon, Rockmelon and Honey Dew  Melon, a variety of Pumpkins as well as Mangoes, Grapefruit and Lemons. All our tree crops are fully organic certified (NASAA).

 Farming has changed considerably since we first started and our produce is now grown using biological and biodynamic practices.   All our produce is quality certified and third party audited under the FRESHCARE Logo. "   

   

                                                             You'll love the taste - like Jonas does

 

Melons - from our field to your fridge

Rock- and Honey Dew Melon

Planting - Melons are planted every 5-7 days from March to August. The time from planting to Harvest is between 65 to 85 days, depending on the weather and temperature. The plantings are irrigated with water provided by the Ord River Irrigation Scheme and are pollinated by bees. Our melons are grown using biodynamic practices and sustainability is one of our main concerns.

Harvest –  Melons are harvested over a period of 6 to 12 days. A “Picking Crew” of up to 12 people is picking the melons.  Melons are  harvested with a “Picking Boom”. Each melon is placed on the Conveyor and transported onto the “Picking Trailer”. On the picking trailer melons are pre-graded to our requirements. Once the Trailer is filled, the melons are then transported to our Packing Shed at Riverfarm Rd.

Harvest of Rockmelon     

                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                    Display of our produce

Packing – The melons are washed and pre sorted on a special Packing Line and packed in 3 different grades with the help of a Colorvision Grader and NIR Technology. Our Packing Shed Foreman, and his Shed Crew are responsible for the correct handling and packing of melons

Cooling and despatch – After packing, the melons are  taken into a Forced Air Coolroom, where the temperature is dropped to five degrees Celsius. The melons are left there for  up to 12 hours. Melons are despatched daily  in refrigerated trucks.

Our Melons are available in most supermarkets & fruitshops around Australia.

Watermelon/Pumpkin

We harvest our seeded and seedless Watermelons as well as some Pumpkin  from June/July to October. The fruit is being cut of their stem and placed straight into ½ t bins in the field. As with Rockmelons and Honey Dew Melons they are being picked with the help of a "Picking Boom". On the picking trailers they are pre-graded into different sizes.

All our product is usually being despatched within a day of picking and are transported to the Wholesale Markets around Australia.

The produce of Bluey's Outback Farm is being sold in Australia and overseas.