(Don Dillon, whose family has owned Four Winds Growers in Aromas and Watsonville since the 1940s, talks about the day-to-day running of the business Wednesday. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — Local greenhouses will once again open their doors to the public Saturday for the Ninth Annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House.
This free, family-friendly event will take place at four locations: Kitayama Brothers and California Pajarosa in Watsonville, Four Winds Growers in Aromas, and Succulent Gardens in Castroville.
Each greenhouse will be offering guests a different experience, with everything from grounds tours to floral design contests. Plants will be sold as well, with proceeds benefiting various local organizations.
“It’s an unusual event,” said Don Dillon of Four Winds Growers. “But it turns out to be very popular. We definitely see a lot of people come through here.”
Dillon’s family started their Four Winds Growers citrus nursery in the 1940s. They’ve moved from Southern California to the Bay Area, and then eventually to their currently locations in Watsonville and Aromas.
“Growing citrus has its challenges,” he explained, citing a few different viral insect diseases that have threatened the industry over the years. “But there’s plenty to like. I especially love when I see everything just starting to bloom.”
Dillon, his family and the staff at Four Winds Growers began setting up today for the Greenhouse Growers Open House, where they plan to sell their wide variety of citrus and other edible plants. According to Dillon, the nursery isn’t usually open to the public, so the event is a good way to connect with customers.
“We get a lot of questions,” Dillon said. “People want advice, since citrus can be tricky. I like to think we’re getting better at answering every year.”
Mary Russell, past president of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, (from left) competes with Casey Beyer, CEO of the Santa Cruz Chamber and Shaz Roth, CEO of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, on Thursday in preparation for the Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian
As a preview of Saturday’s event, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau hosted a preview tour at California Pajarosa on Thursday morning, which included a floral design competition. Shaz Roth, CEO of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, Casey Beyer, CEO of the Santa Cruz Chamber, and Mary Russell, past president of the Aptos Chamber competed. Members of the media from the Pajaronian, Santa Cruz Sentinel and KSCO judged the event.
“It’s just a great way to kick things off,” said Jess Brown of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau.
The Ninth Annual Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House will begin on Saturday at 10 a.m. and run to 4 p.m. Information about each location’s activities are listed below. Additional details are available at montereybayfarmtours.org.
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• Kitayama Brothers (KB Farms), 481 San Andreas Road, Watsonville
The “Gerbera Festival” will feature an assortment of Gerbera plants, cut flowers, local food and beer. A fundraiser will benefit Friends of the Santa Cruz County State Parks, with vendors also pledging 10 percent of their proceeds to the organization. Events include floral design competitions and a tamale eating contest.
• Four Winds Growers, 238 Carpenteria Road, Aromas
Edible plants including citrus, blueberries, cane berries, grapes, figs and more will be for sale, with staff on hand to assist. A percentage of proceeds will benefit Aromas School through the Aromas Home & School Club. Refreshments will be available to purchase with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the school.
• California Pajarosa Floral, 133 Hughes Road, Watsonville
The greenhouse will be selling rose bouquets, as well as rose and hydrangea plants, with proceeds benefiting Friends Cure CF, which raises money for Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc. There will also be lunch available to purchase which also benefits the organization.
• Succulent Gardens, 2133 Elkhorn Road, Castroville
Succulent of various sizes, container gardens, garden products and pottery will be available for purchase. Ten percent of proceeds will benefit the Elkhorn Slough Foundation. A tour of the three-acre nursery will be given by founder and grower Robin Stockwell at 11 a.m. Water and local strawberries will be offered.
