WATSONVILLE — For one day, five Monterey Bay greenhouse businesses will open their doors on a world that is typically closed to the public.
It is a world where farmers raise hundreds of thousands of flowers in vast hothouses, where horticulture professionals propagate succulents and where workers nurse a variety of citrus trees.
The Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House, now in its eighth year, is a chance for the public to get an insider’s view of the goings-on of an industry that is a significant portion of the Pajaro Valley agriculture.
“It’s a chance to get the public invited, and see what we’re doing, see behind the fences and tell our story,” said California Pajarosa co-owner John Fuhrman.
The flower company, which is known for its roses but also grows other flowers, has been participating in the tour since its inception.
The same is true for Kitayama Brothers farms, one of the largest flower farms on the west coast. Co-owner Stuart Kitayama said the company is a part of the tour despite the hard work involved in preparing the greenhouses for tours.
“We do it because our family loves it,” he said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, but we all feel really good after.”
As part of the tour, each grower sells products that are grown there, with proceeds going to a charity of their choice. Some growers also provide food.
Kitayama Brothers will offer flower arranging demonstrations and a student design contest and sell potted Gerbera plants and dozens of cut flowers.
Visitors might also get an opportunity to participate in a tamale eating contest.
Those who visit Four Winds Growers, meanwhile, can sample citrus blend coolers, which are newest offerings from the S. Martinelli & Co.
Organizers say the tour is also a way to encourage potential customers to purchase flowers and other greenhouse products locally, which is important in a time when flowers shipped from South America have long undercut sales.
“It’s such an important part of the agricultural industry,” said Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau President Jess Brown. “The tour is a chance to bring attention to things that are grown in greenhouses.”
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The Monterey Bay Greenhouse Growers Open House is free to the public. The self-guided tour is on Saturday and runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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Participating greenhouses
Four Winds Growers
238 Carpenteria Road, Aromas
(877) 449-4637
www.fourwindsgrowers.com
For sale: edible plants in containers including citrus, blueberries, cane berries, grapes, figs, fruit trees and pomegranates.
Proceeds go to Aromas School.
California Pajarosa
133 Hughes Road, Watsonville
722-6374
www.pajarosa.com
For sale: rose bouquets, rose and hydrangea plants.
Proceeds donated to Friends Cure CF.
Kitayama Brothers
481 San Andreas Road, Watsonville
722-2912
www.kbflowers.com
For sale: gerbera plants, cut flowers, local produce and fruit, food, beer from a local brewery and other refreshments.
Kitayama Brothers will also hold its Gerbera Festival during the open house.
Proceeds go to Friends of Santa Cruz County State Parks.
Succulent Gardens
2133 Elkhorn Road, Castroville
632-0482
sgplants.com
For sale: succulents in all sizes, container gardens, pottery, and vertical gardening products.
Proceeds go to Elkhorn Slough Foundation.
Suncrest Nurseries
400 Casserly Road
728-2595
www.suncrestnurseries.com
Suncrest will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and tractor tours and greenhouse tours from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
LEO’s Haven, a nonprofit promoting an all-inclusive playground for children, will have an informational booth.
