California’s nursery business picks up

Some California garden retailers and growers said say they're cautiously optimistic sales will bloom this spring, Central Valley Business Times reported. Although the sector remains strong, commercial growers and retail garden centers say the economic recession has hurt sales and caused some growers and retail operations to go out of business.

At Yamagami's Nursery, a full-service garden center in Cupertino, early sales of fruiting trees -- citrus, stone fruit and nut trees -- have done well. Berry vines also showed strong sales in recent weeks.

“It really gets busy here in the spring,” said Carolyn Villa Scott, Yamagami Nursery horticulture consultant. “And, we're beginning to see some encouraging new trends. We'll have to wait and see if they continue.”

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