Braving the California Coast
It is here again — the California Pack Trials. If you've gone before, you know how beneficial it is. If you haven't gone, let me tell youÉthis trip is one you won't forget, for a few reasons: 1) It is a nice road trip if you are able to travel with someone you like. 2) You get a head's up on what will be hot in the next few years, while also seeing some varieties that may have been around for a while but are new to you. 3) You make your own schedule; you don't have anyone telling you when to go where, etc.
This year, the trials span April 2-14, with each company devising its own schedule. Right now, as I write this, I am trying to schedule more than 20 very important stops into a short five days — it's not easy! But, we've tried to make things a little easier for you here, with a list of the locations to visit and the contact information for each location. Be sure to contact the companies ahead of time and make appointments for your visit.
And, I've gotten a few calls and E-mails warning of the excessive rains and bad weather California has endured over the last few months. So, it may be wise to check into road closings and construction. Be safe, and have fun.
AMERICAN TAKII
Trial Dates: April 3-11
Contact: Julia Paul
T: (970) 663-6042
F: (831) 443-3976
E-mail: jpaul@takii.com
Trial Location: 301 Natividad Rd., Salinas
BENARY
Trial Dates: April 2-8
Contact: Duane Sinning
T: (260) 982-0758
F: (260) 982-1139
E-mail: infousa@benary.com
Trial Location: 1200 Via Regina, Santa Barbara
BODGER SEEDS/BODGER BOTANICALS
Trial Dates: April 4-13, closed April 9 and 10
Contact: Sylvia Orza
T: (626) 442-6161
F: (626) 442-5063
E-mail: sorza@bodger.com
Trial Location: 1851 W. Olive Avenue, Lompoc
DANZIGER "DAN" PLANT FARM
Exhibiting with Oro Farms
Trial Dates: April 4-12
Contact: Reese Kiikka
T: (440) 357-6280
F: (440) 357-6287
Email: brplants-n-seeds@msn.com
Trial Location: 4860 Monterey Rd., Gilroy
ECKE RANCH
Exhibiting with Goldsmith Seeds, Fischer USA and Yoder Brothers Inc.
Trial Dates: April 2-9
Contact: Tina McElroy
T: (800) 549-0158
F: (408) 848-5429
E-mail: springtrials2005@goldsmithseeds.com
Trial Location: 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
FIDES NORTH AMERICA
Exhibiting with Twyford
Trial Dates: April 4-10
Contact: Adalberto Rodriguez
T: 011 506 442 1849
F: 011 506 442 0556
E-mail: ar@fidesnorthamerica.com
Trial Location: 15245 Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula
FISCHER USA
Exhibiting with Ecke Ranch, Goldsmith Seeds and Yoder Brothers Inc.
Trial Dates: April 2-9
Contact: Tina McElroy
T: (800) 549-0158
F: (408) 848-5429
E-mail: springtrials2005@goldsmithseeds.com
Trial Location: 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
FLORANOVA
Exhibiting with Oglevee
Trial Dates: April 4-13
Contact: Bill Wilson
T: (574) 674-4200
F: (574) 674-5300
E-mail: bwilson@floranova.us
pconstant@floranova.co.uk
Trial Location: 222 North A St., Lompoc
GOLDEN STATE BULB GROWERS
Callafornia Calla Pot Demonstration Trials
Trial Dates: April 4-13, Saturdays appointment only
Contact: Tom Lukens, June Roque
or Sandra Cortez
T: (831) 728-0500
F: (831) 761-1282
E-mail: gsbg@cruzio.com
Trial Location: 1260 Hwy. 1, Watsonville
GOLDSMITH SEEDS
Exhibiting with Ecke Ranch, Fischer USA and Yoder Brothers Inc.
Trial Dates: April 2-9
Contact: Tina McElroy
T: (800) 549-0158
F: (408) 848-5429
E-mail: springtrials2005@goldsmithseeds.com
Trial Location: 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
GROLINK
Trial Dates: April 2-10
Contact: Sarah Kellerman
T: (800) 451-6319
F: (805) 984-7248
E-mail: info@grolink.com
Trial Location: 4107 W. Gonzales, Oxnard
HF MICHELL'S
Exhibiting with Speedling
Trial Dates: April 2-10
T: (800) 422-4678 x5615
E-mail: packtrials@michells.com
Trial Location: 2640 San Juan Hwy.,
San Juan Bautista
JACKSON & PERKINS WHOLESALE, INC.
Suntory Collection
Trial Dates: April 4-13, closed April 10
Contact: Lou Aguirre
T: (800) 877-6737 x6
F: (541) 864-2819
E-mail: laguirre@bco.com
Trial Location: 6500 Donlon Rd., Somis
KIEFT SEEDS HOLLAND
Trial Dates: April 3-10
Contact: Jeff McGrew
T: (360) 445-2031
F: (360) 445-2031
E-mail: jmcgrew@sos.net
Trial Location: 270 Rucker Avenue, Gilroy
OGLEVEE LTD.
Exhibiting with Floranova
Trial Dates: April 4-8
Contact: Joe O'Donovan
T: (724) 628-8360
F: (724) 628-7270
E-mail: jodonoan@worldnet.att.net
Trial Location: 222 N. A St., Lompoc
ORO FARMS
Exhibiting with Danziger
Trial Dates: April 2-8
Contact: Tammy Ozuna
T: (315) 635-2531
F: (419) 730-7129
E-mail: tammy@orofarms.com
Trial Location: 4860 Monterey Rd., Gilroy
PACIFIC PLUG & LINER
Featuring Agrexco companies: Jaldety Nursery, Cohen Propagation Nurseries, Hishtil Nurseries and Schwartz Nursery
Trial Dates: April 2-8
Contact: Liz Dunlop
T: (831) 722-5396
F: (360) 647-1468
E-mail: david_edenfield@northwestgrown.com
Trial Location: 750 Casserly Rd., Watsonville
PANAMERICAN SEED
Trial Dates: April 2-10
Contact: Mary Long
T: (630) 588-3187
F: (630) 231-3609
E-mail: mlong@panamseed.com
Trial Location: 335 S. Briggs Rd., Santa Paula
PLUG CONNECTION
Trial Dates: April 2-11
Contact: Lisa Finnegan
T: (760) 631-0992, x118
F: (760) 940-1555
E-mail: lisa@plugconnection.com
Trial Location: 2627 Ramona Dr., Vista
PROVEN WINNERS
Trial Dates: April 2-14
Contact: Kerry Strope
T: (573) 635-2877
F: (573) 638-0630
E-mail: kerry@provenwinners.com
Trial Location: 32149 Aquaduct Rd., Bonsall
S&G FLOWERS
Trial Dates: April 3-9
Contact: Sharon Leeth
T: (800) 454-8159 x408
E-mail: sharon.leeth@syngenta.com.
Trial Location: 7240 Holsclaw Rd., Gilroy
SAKATA SEED AMERICA INC.
Trial Dates: April 4-12
Contact: Nicole Naragon
T: (260) 672-3820
F: (260) 672-9065
E-mail: nnaragon@sakata.com
Trial Location: 105 Boronda Rd., Salinas
SELECTA FIRST CLASS, INC.
Trial Dates: April 2-11
Contact: Gilda Walters
T: (800) 955-5644
F: (760) 634-4342
E-mail: g.walters@firstclassplants.com
Trial Location: 1150 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas
SPEEDLING
Exhibiting with HF Michell's
Trial Dates: April 2-10
T: (800) 422-4678 x5615
E-mail: packtrials@michells.com.
Trial Location: 2640 San Juan Hwy.,
San Juan Bautista
TWYFORD INTERNATIONAL
Exhibiting with Fides North America
Trial Dates: April 4-10
Contact: Diana Dickenson
T: (800) 327-9988
F: (805) 525-3412
E Mail: ddickenson@twyford.com
Trial Location: 15245 S. Telegraph Rd., Santa Paula
YODER BROTHERS INC.
Exhibiting with Ecke Ranch, Fischer USA
and Goldsmith Seeds
Trial Dates: April 2-9
Contact: Tina McElroy
T: (800) 549-0158
F: (408) 848-5429
E-mail: springtrials2005@goldsmithseeds.com
Trial Location: 2280 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
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