Help a small Nsy in Orange County

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We have a local nursery that specializes in fruit and has the most superior soil mixes. They are super nice and helpful. Will answer almost every question with real thoughtfulness and experience. They also have some neat shrubs you can't get elsewhere.

The drought has been tough on them as they opened in this new location. It would be a shame to see them have to close. They are currently reducing prices so if you can stop by for a look you might find something really neat at a great price.

Laguna Hills Nursery

17th X Tustin Ave. Off the 55 fwy at 17th and just a little north of the intersection on the freeway side of Tustin Ave.

They are true plant people like all of us here.

Featured Answer

lgteacher

9 years ago

I've made purchases there and like to help independent businesses, but I had to walk out on Gary's soil class. Instead of telling us why Top Pot is a good potting soil, he ridiculed compost (dead plants, haha). But he uses peat! He ridiculed coir. He dissed Master Gardners (manyof whom are his customers) and the Univeristy of California. Except for the charcoal, his potting mix is almost identical to what is recommended in the MG Handbook.

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Comments (6)

User
9 years ago
Oh why do you have to tempt me! :D I'll be up that way next weekend and it sounds like a good place to check out. It probably won't be too far out of my way.
kittymoonbeam thanked User
kittymoonbeam
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
www.lagunahillsnursery.com

Their website tells you more about what they have and information on free classes they offer.
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User
9 years ago
Yep I googled it since I'll be going past there on a way to a camping trip. I'll have to check them out.
kittymoonbeam thanked User
gyr_falcon
9 years ago
When George and Grace Matsuoka had the nursery in Laguna Hills, it was stellar. I was less impressed with Gary's running of the business. After he moved the nursery back to the original location, I asked once the id of a group of 1 gal. plants. I thought they were Golden Trumpet trees, but they are rarely sold in 1's. He didn't know, and ventured they were kiwi plants. After I told him what I was fairly certain they were, and that I'd buy one to see, he wanted to charge me the higher tree price for the plant. Not going to soften it--what a jerk!

It took me a long time to even visit the Santa Ana store to check it out; was last fall. My husband and I spent 45 minutes viewing various plants, mainly because we accidentally entered part a growing area (oops!), and that we had driven so far. The only time anyone even spoke to us was when we were walking out. There were a couple of cool plants that I hadn't seen offered elsewhere, but there were also a lot of weeds and the unlabeled plants.

It is always a shame to see a nursery fail, especially when gardeners are counting on the products they carry that are not available elsewhere. I still drive by the lot where the original nursery thrived. By some deep tenacity, the pink trumpet tree is still hanging in there and blooms in the spring.
kittymoonbeam thanked gyr_falcon
kittymoonbeam
Original Author
9 years ago
Things are better and people came in. I was happy to see Gary's wife smiling. She's the one I see mostly when i stop by. Many times his son and daughter are there too and they are very friendly. The kids sell plants at the farmers market as well. I got seeds for fall and 2 grapes including razzmatazz which fruits on wood produced that year. Hoping for a wet winter with a little chill for my plum tree. Sorry nursery cats, you'll just have to curl up on Gary's desk if it's wet outside.