Growing watermelons in NSW's Far West to the scale the Gebert family planned had never been done before, but where there is a will, there is a way.
It was a "vision" that prompted watermelon farmers Nick and Lou Gebert to buy an old table grape growing property near the outback town of Menindee in Far West New South Wales. The family, who already ran a watermelon farm in the Western Murray region of Wentworth, purchased the 1,619-hectare former table grape property in 2021 with an idea to turn 113 hectares into watermelon crops.
"We had a vision, and it's come through for us," he said.But preparing and converting the property from a grape farm to one where they could harvest and pack approximately 9,000 tonnes of seedless watermelons per year was no easy task."We had a pretty big job on our hands to clean it all up," Ms Gebert said.Mr Gebert added that it turned out to be a "bigger job than I was expecting". "But we don't regret it. We look at it now and can't believe what it was, to what it is now," he said.Watermelon season starts and finishes in June each year, from preparing the ground and replanting seeds, through to the intensive harvest and packing process. Knowing it was not something that had been done in the region on the scale they had planned, the Geberts wanted to trial a smaller plot first to ensure they had made the right decision.Knowing that the conditions were right for growing watermelons, they went all in for the next season and have not looked back. "That went really well and then we committed and did a full season last season ," Mr Gebert said.Horticultural farming may not be the first type of agricultural operation that springs to mind in Far West NSW. But around the river township of Menindee, with its irrigation potential and warm, dry climate, the region has long been home to fruit, vegetable and citrus growers.The Geberts have taken on growing enough watermelons to supply one watermelon per 20 people in Australia, equivalent to approximately 1.3 million per season."The climate in Menindee is a very good growing climate.While citing the ideal climate conditions as a factor in the successful crops, Mr Gebert said it also came down to water access.Picking the perfect melon As for the art of harvesting melons straight off the crop, Mr Gebert says it can take some time to perfect.But for consumers wanting to identify a top quality melon, the sound it makes when the skin is tapped is a good method. "Generally you can pick a good watermelon off the shelf if it's a 'ting ting' ," Mr Gebert said.Kelly Wilkinson had a six-word code to use when she was in fear of her life – a message she never got to send'He paid the highest price — he paid with his life': Lawyer for Boeing whistleblower John Barnett speaks after his client's sudden deathThis couple have spent months burning fuel and money to power a campsite no-one can visitJapan's bizarre fashion week and burning effigies in India: The Asia Pacific this week in pictures Potential 'Greenslide' in LNP territory tipped for Brisbane City Council as Queensland local elections begin in earnest'Either stupidity or willful ignorance': What's going on in William and Kate's royal court? Kelly Wilkinson had a six-word code to use when she was in fear of her life – a message she never got to send Judy didn't want to do an 'ageist' on-road driving test when she turned 85, so she opted for a restricted licenceLa Niña odds now sit at 80 per cent. How will it affect our weather? Kelly Wilkinson had a six-word code to use when she was in fear of her life – a message she never got to sendA generation of renters are staring down poverty in retirement. Let's break down why 'He paid the highest price — he paid with his life': Lawyer for Boeing whistleblower John Barnett speaks after his client's sudden death
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