Central Coast Greenhouse Growers

The Nipomo Mesa is home to quite a few wholesale nurseries and commercial greenhouse growers. Nipomo's mild climate, relatively inexpensive acreage and close proximity to US Highway 101 provide the perfect environment for greenhouse grower operations. Once a year the Central Coast Greenhouse Growers Association members open their doors to the general public for free tours and retail sales. A portion of the proceeds from all plant sales on the day of the open house go to benefit local agriculture students through scholarships. Visitors are able to tour greenhouses, view floral displays, purchase products and learn plant care and handling practices. Also, the Nipomo Rotary club throws a Santa Maria Style Barbecue complete with tri-tip sandwiches, chips and soda for a very reasonable fee.

This year we hit the open house trail with a short list of must-have perennials. There were 13 growers participating in this year's open house. Of course, as we ventured from grower to grower, our "short" list grew as we stumbled upon bargain after bargain which we just couldn't pass up. We almost had to run home for another pickup truck but we did manage to squeeze all our new "buds" into our existing vehicle.

Here's the list of this year's participants: Hesse Horticulture, Ball Floraplant, Ball Tagawa Growers, Eufloria Flowers, Excel Roses, Pacific Sun Growers, Koch California LTD, Ocean Breeze, Seaglass Nursery, All Seasons Flowers, Clearwater Nursery, Greenheart Farms and Native Sons Wholesale Nursery.