YUMA, AZ – Sandstone Melon Company is gearing up for its upcoming fall melon program with a host of innovations to help increase its production efficiency.

The company says it expects to kick off its melon harvest on October 19^th.

Though growing in the desert presents its own unique set of growing challenges, Sandstone is ready to meet the needs of its customers and the consumers.

Milas Russell Jr., President, explained, “My team and I have developed a number of practices combining integrated pest management, planting, and custom cultivation to increase our sustainability, reducing dependence on chemicals. Each year our efficacy with these programs increases.”

Sandstone utilizes row covers, a kind of fabric placed over the melon bed, to protect the delicate melon plants from the elements. Since integrating row covers into his growing practices, Russell says that he has substantially reduced his synthetic chemical needs.

“The row cover acts as a physical barrier for the small melon plants,” Russell continued. “This is important because we are giving the plants a chance to root and develop strength before they are exposed to much.”

Because Sandstone’s proprietary Kiss melons are unique in their growth pattern and development, Russell concluded by saying that the company’s cultural practices must be unique to each melon. This is to maximize Sandstone’s production of the Kiss melons its retail customers and consumers expect from them.

Sandstone Melon Company