About our Tour

Our 2nd Annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Tour will comprised of several Monterey Bay growers who will be opening their greenhouses and nurseries for tours on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Our event is FREE and OPEN to the public with no set itinerary. With a casual format, you can pick and choose how many growers you would like to tour and where to start is your choice.

Tours will begin when a group of visitors have congregated and we recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes as most of these tours will involve walking through greenhouses or growing areas. These tours will cover topics such as: necessary growing conditions, temperature control, water conservation and recycling, harvesting criteria and techniques, the cold chain, and many more.

The following farms will be participating in the 2nd Annual 2011 Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House:

California Pajarosa, 133 Hughes Road, Watsonville, CA.  95076

www.pajarosa.com

California Pajarosa is an industry leader and pioneer in growing hydroponic roses. We are the largest Domestic producer of roses with the most extensive selection, with over 150 varieties of hybrid teas, sweethearts, and spray roses. We are Certified Sustainable Farmers that consistently deliver exceptional roses and unbeatable service.  VeriFlora Certified
Showcasing: a Tour of our Greenhouse Rose Facilities
Product for sale: Yes.. Rose Bouquets.  Proceeds donating to Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Trust.
Handicap accessible: Yes
Refreshments Provided: Yes.  A BBQ lunch may be purchased with proceeds donated to Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Trust.

California Floral Greens, 321 San Andreas Rd., Watsonville, CA.  95076

www.cfgfloral.com

California Floral Greens purchased the T. Larry Jones in September of 2008.  California Floral Greens is a division of Continental Floral Greens (CFG).  CFG is one of the largest premier greens growers in the world and operates out of several locations such as, Texas, California, Mexico, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  At the California farm we grow baby euc, ivy, leather leaf, hydrangeas, parvafolia, kangaroo paw, flax, star asparagus, and some other ornamental greens.

Showcasing: How ivy, leather leaf and hydrangeas grow.  The recycled water pond and how we reuse the water from greenhouse runoff.

Product for sale: Yes, mixed greens bouquet.  Proceeds donated to Friends of Santa Cruz County State Parks.

Handicap accessible: In the packing shed, but not the greenhouses

Refreshments Provided: No

Jacobs Farm, 481 San Andreas Rd., Watsonville, CA.  95076

www.jacobsfarm.com

Begun in 1980 and based in Pescadero, CAon the original family farm, Jacobs Farm produces fresh, organic culinary herbs on nine diverse coastal farm sites, including greenhouses in Freedom and Watsonville. One of the nation’s leading organic herb growers, Jacobs Farm supplies markets inNorth America andCanada with over 60 varieties of common and specialty herbs and edible flowers.

Noted pioneers of organic and sustainable growing practices, founders Larry JacobsandSandraBelinremain committed to farming methods that are safe for the environment while producing fresh, healthy, flavorful food for consumers.

In 1986, the couple founded the Del Cabo cooperative and provide organic farming knowledge, funding, distribution channels and fairly-trading markets, with the goal to help small family farms and their communities in ruralMexicothrive and achieve sustainability.

Showcasing:  Fresh organic culinary herbs and edible flowers

Products available for purchase?  YES

Fundraising?  100% of day’s proceeds will be donated to Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Handicap accessible?  NO

Refreshments Provided? NO

KITAYAMA BROTHERS, INC., 481 San Andreas Rd., Watsonville, CA. 95076

www.kbflowers.com 

Kitayama Brothers Inc. was established in 1948 by four brothers: Tom, Ray, Kee, and Ted.  Our greenhouse in Watsonville opened in 1970, and we grow cut flowers in a million square feet of temperature-controlled greenhouses.  We specialize in growing and marketing; lilies, roses, gerberas, lisianthus, and snapdragons with an emphasis on wedding flowers.  We are regional flower producers and most of our flowers are sold in California or the western US.

We work to reduce our impact on the environment and farm sustainably.  For example: we irrigate with recycled water, use Persimilis and Swarskii predator mites (good bugs that eat bad bugs), and steam-sterilize our ground instead of using chemical fumigants.

Our greenhouse tours will showcase: hydroponic roses, gerberas, gardenias, stephanotis and lisianthus. You will also see our selecting, cooling, and packing facilities.  There will be displays of our flowers and flowers from other local growers.  And we will have flowers arranging demonstrations, kids activities, and a variety of speakers.

For the second year our Open House is a benefit for the “Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks”.  Our greenhouse is adjacent to Sunset Beach State Park, and we enjoy and appreciate our parks.  Flowers, fruits and vegetables, beverages, and food will be available for sale, and proceeds will go to the “Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.”

Our warehouse and bathrooms are handicap assessable, but the greenhouse tour is not suitable for wheelchairs due to the rough ground.  Come see us, and enjoy a summer day at the farm.

Rocket Farms, 360 Espinosa Rd., Salinas, CA.  93907

www.rocketfarms.com  

Rocket Farms combines over 25 years of heritage with the innovation to stay on the cutting edge of rapidly changing consumer trends and growing technology.  With over five million square feet of growing space at nine different locations, we are the second largest greenhouse in California and fourth largest in the country.

We have established a reputation for industry leading quality in orchids, organic herbs and vegetables, poinsettias, and other high volume specialty crops. The latest addition to the greenhouse is our line of potted culinary herbs, bringing consumers the quality and long-lasting value you expect from Rocket Farms right into their kitchens.

At Rocket Farms we travel the globe to keep pace with rapidly changing consumer trends, design, and technological innovations. We are proud to have pioneered many significant “firsts” within the industry and continue to lead the way in organic production and food safety protocol.

Showcasing: Orchids and Herbs

Products Available for Purchasing: Orchidsand Herbs

Fundraising?  “Peace of Mind Dog Rescue”.  Donation details pending.

Handicap accessible? Yes

Refreshments Provided? Yes 

Star Farms, 133 Hughes Rd., Watsonville, CA.  95076

www.starroses.com 

We are known for beautiful roses! The Knock Out® Family of Roses, Drift® Roses, the Romantica® Collection, Sunblaze® Miniatures and Meidiland Landscape Shrub Roses are just some of the roses that we have introduced over the years.

We have a large selection of Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Miniatures, Shrub, Landscape, Climbers, and various tree roses.  For more information, visit our website www.starroses.com.

Succulent Gardens, 2133 Elkhorn Rd., Castroville, CA.  95012

www.sgplants.com

Succulent Gardens was established in 1980 and specializes in growing a wide range of quality succulent plants. The nursery covers three acres and is open to the public and to the trade, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 4.

Succulent plants are by definition “low maintenance plants”, requiring minimum amounts of water, fertilizer, and care. Succulent Gardens works with landscape professionals who use succulent plants in landscaping and container gardening. Succulent plants are used extensively in drought tolerant gardens, roof top gardens, and are one of the most desirable plants to use in the more recent vertical gardening trend. Succulent Gardens has been creating wall murals for vertical gardening since 1982.

Showcasing:  A visit to Succulent Gardens is a unique experience. There are over 600 varieties of succulents on display and available for sale. Succulent Gardens and Robin Stockwell, the founder, have been featured in numerous publications like Sunset Magazine, the San Francisco chronicle, San Jose Mercury, radio and national television. This is a production facility, which means the plants are grown on site. Plants are on display in small 2″ containers all the way up to specimen in 27″ boxes. There are also examples of plants in container gardens and in the landscape.

Product for sale: Yes.  Partial proceeds will be donated to Friends of Santa Cruz County State Parks.

Handicap accessible: Yes, plants are handicap accessible, but keep in mind, the ground is dirt and not completely smooth.

Refreshments Provided: Yes, limited refreshments will be available at no charge.

Kid’s Activity:  Create your own Dish Garden: There will be an area set up for kids under the age of 16 to make dish gardens at a discounted price. Plants soil, pottery, and instruction will be available.