Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Matsuoka.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Parents started the business in 1954 in Pasadena, CA
Moved to Lake Forest in 1968.
Operated Laguna Hills Nursery in Lake Forest until 2010 (sold the property in 2008 after parents died)
Operated at farmers markets until opened present location in 2013
We have been successful for 2 reasons:
Our specialty is offering a wide range of edibles (herbs, vegetables, berries and fruit trees)
Our specialty is our soil. We learned 24 years ago that commercial potting soils slowly (or quickly) kill the plants growing in them. We made a better soil(s). Half the plants at are garden center are growing in our soils.
I listened to my peers for 20 years, then I discovered I could do better on my own.
The horticultural industry is convinced that plants should be grown in organic materials.
We are convinced that good soil is mineral, not organic.
The appearance of our plants and the success of our customers confirms our theories.
Our soil distributor is finally making it possible for other stores to purchase our soils easily.
We are currently struggling to keep our business alive. Since we opened 3 years ago we have yet to have a normal spring (2.5 drought years).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I originally thought that our business would be boring.
No, so…
We had family issues where we finally had to buy out one of my siblings and my father (divorced from my mother). This put us (actually my mother’s estate) into deep debt.
We hired consultants to help us get re-established after settling our estate, but it ended up getting us nowhere and spending a lot of money. We did have fun and adventures (we leased an abandoned car dealership for a year) along the way.
The Great Park in Irvine offered us a permanent home in 2011, but soon ran out of redevelopment money (thanks to Gov. Brown) and gave us 3 months to find a new home.
We ended up in Santa Ana in a facility that was abandoned by Armstrong Nursery over a decade earlier. We spent all our savings to make it functional, opened by fall of 2014.
Before spring started, the drought emergency was declared.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Laguna Hills Nursery is known for several things:
-potting soils that actually grow plants and lasts for years
-expertise in fruit trees, berries, and herbs
-theories about growing plants that is different than most nurseries (keep compost on top of ground-do not amend)
What were you like growing up?
I was quiet, not one of the popular kids.
Most high school class mates knew me because I was a minority and active in sports. So I knew the popular kids, though I didn’t hang out with them. Not quite a nerd, but close.
I loved science, particularly biology. I wanted to be a College Professor/researcher.
I got side tracked and went into medical research.
After a few years decided to come back to the family business and excel at horticulture.
My interests included anything to do with plants and soil.
Contact Info:,
- Address: 1829 N. Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705 - Website: www.lagunahillsnursery.com
- Phone: 714 542-5600
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
orangecoast.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
WP
November 5, 2017 at 01:35
You cannot find a better nursery. Gary has a PhD’s worth of plant knowledge. He has so much knowledge, that I go to his talks even after having attended them the past year. He is Orange County’s go to boutique nursery. There may be another nursery down in CDM where you’ll pay 3x what you pay at other nurseries but their customer service doesn’t come close to Laguna Hills.
I sincerely am worried that Gary will ever to close the nursery so I stop by even when I don’t need anything just to see if I can buy something to support this incredible business.
Thank you Matsuoaka Family and nursery employees.
Ron Vanderhoff
December 12, 2017 at 14:58
Gary is an icon in the Nursery industry. His enthusiasm, hard work and tireless commitment to his beliefs are exemplary. Maybe more important is his devotion to the success of his customers and to gardening in Southern California.