Nursery Refrigeration Diddillibah
The Sunshine Coast hinterland especially Diddillibah is host to many nurseries, but few have earned the status of Boomaroo Nursery for its world-class status. A fully automated nursery, Boomaroo started strong with its first 5600 seedlings behind sold just as they were planted. The 28,000 sqm greenhouse is fully protected from the elements and represents one of the most advanced facility of its type and includes a nursery cold room as one of its most remarkable features.
Three years of research and development went into the $16 million greenhouse and it is anticipated to be one of the most productive in Australia. For the first two years, 100 million seedlings are expected to be produced with another 300 million being the goal once the first phase of the facility is fully in production. By growing seedlings locally, the Sunshine Coast market along with all of Queensland expects to benefit from having fresh produce in their markets quickly.
The sealed environment limits the number of pests and diseases that might appear. And the location was chosen not only for its proximity to major market areas,
Commercial Refrigeration Automation
The secret behind the new facility is the greenhouse is automated to include planting, care, and harvesting of the seedlings. This means more precise control in the growth and development of the produce. The concept that is used at Boomaroo Nursery comes from how tulips are produced in Europe. The system used to handle the delicate flowers was applied to produce and the results are remarkable.
Because the system does not rely on the touch of human hands, the entire production process is one that is most efficient in nature. A state-of-the-art system using germination areas that are flexible along with automated loading benches run by computer control means the most efficient production methods are in place. The software and machinery are designed by a refrigeration mechanic to create this result.
Climate Control Through Refrigeration
Growing a large number of produce inside a greenhouse was never considered cost-efficient until recently because of the limitations of facility size. The Boomaroo Nursery overcomes this limitation not just with a large greenhouse, but with the automated process that allows its plants to grow faster and more efficiently.
The ideal growing climate is maintained 24/7 inside the greenhouse, which means that uniformity of growth in the plants can be easily achieved. Uniformity increases the efficiency of the planting, growth, and harvesting process. Add to this the automation that includes fertilization, temperature control, and amount of light and you have one of the most efficient nurseries in the world.
The crops inside the greenhouse will change with the seasons. Many of the plants come from local sources and are native to the area. In the spring the focus is on cabbages, broccoli, and other varieties of lettuce. Once summer arrives, the move will be to more salads, celeries, and onions.
The nursery cold room technology being developed at Boomaroo Nursery is a boost for the Sunshine Coast. Providing the latest in technological advances in the growth of plants, the future of Boomaroo Nursery is bright.
