M. Tashiro Nursery Inc.

Jim Tashiro
20200 Spence Road
Salinas, CA 93908
831-422-3990
caflex@aol.com

Markets: Aptos, Carmel, Salinas, and Monterey

Products: Carnation, miniature carnation, gipsy, alstroemeria, Ming fern, tuberose, leather leaf, Matsumoto aster, gypsophila, stock, roses, Asiatic lilies, rriental lilies, springeri, snapdragon, curly willow, fresia, gladiolas, misty statice, Emile statice, Sinuata statice, eucalyptus, sunflowers, delphinium, iris, tulips, chrysanthemums, liatris, gerberas, sweet pea, kale; mixed bouquets and arrangements.

History/Philosophy: My father started the business in 1970. He began with carnations but due to competition from Columbia, we were forced to frow other varieties of flowers. After graduation from UC Berkeley with a Political Science and Economics major, I decided to help my parents in 1983. Soon after I joined the business, we opened a shipping company called California Flower Exchange. This has allowed us to ship not only our flowers, but also some of the neighbors’ flowers. In 1986 my sister returned to help with the business and she opened a florist shop called Seaside Florist. In 1987 my brother John decided to get involved and it was decided that he would open a wholesale florist business. In Southern CA he owns and operates West Coast Flower Exchange. He sells 35% of our product grown at our nursery. The majority of our flowers are marketed in California.

In 1978 we started participating in the Salinas Farmers Market. Later we expanded to Monterey, Carmel and Aptos.

To further expand our business to other parts of the US, in 2003 we joined a shipping company called Pacific Growers with two other growers in Salinas. This partnership enables us to better market our products throughout the US.

Farmland: 285,000 sq ft greenhouse and 1 acre field production at 20200 Spence Road, Salinas.

Soil: Many of our products are grown in crates with a customized soil. Others are grown in fill soil which is always steam-sterilized before we plant.

Weed Control: Hand, chemical and mechanical cultivation.

Pest Management: Pest populations are carefully monitored. We use both chemical and beneficial organisms to control insects and diseases.

Water Use: Drip irrigation.

Workers: 10 full time employees, owner Jim Tashiro and his parents.