Growing great tasting melons is much like growing grapes for fine wine.  It takes a keen eye and attention to detail that most companies don’t make a commitment to.  Sandstone gives every melon a commitment to detail that is unsurpassed. Our melons are a reflection of our dedication to our craft.

Sandstone’s growing practices are the most innovative in the industry.  The growing process starts with soil and climate selection.  It doesn’t matter how good the seeds are, without the proper climate and soil, melons will not reach their maximum flavor potential.  Next the perfect seed variety is chosen to compliment the growing region.  Through the years copious data has been kept on growing practices and different varietal performances.  This data is incorporated into a “secret formula” that creates the exquisite fruit that gives Sandstone’s customers the best tasting melons available.

Sandstone goes to great lengths to maximize flavor and food safety in the fields.  Every operation is planned and executed in a manner designed to prevent cross contamination and minimize the use of pesticides. Our beds that the melons are grown on are raised to a height that prevents moist soil from contacting the melons, we use ground spray equipment to reduce the sprayed area of field reducing overall pesticide use.  We use row covers to prevent virus-spreading whiteflies from our infecting our fields and we use organic chemicals whenever we can.

All year Sandstone is meticulously at work researching new varieties and preparing for the next season.  It is a priority to visit seed company’s breeder trials in order to see all of the new melons.  This time consuming process allows Sandstone a first look at the new varieties and gives us a beneficial advantage over our competitors, not to mention the added benefit for our customers.

All new varieties are grown through a series of test trials in varying growing areas and in production fields.  Each variety must meet our strict specifications in order to proceed to commercial production.    The result of all this is tasted every time someone eats a Sandstone melon.