California Gardens

Initially only fruit and honey were produced but vegetables were introduced by the turn of the century followed by cut flowers and small plants. In 1929 the new Howden by-pass to the recently constructed Boothferry Bridge cut the nursery in two and fruit, flowers and vegetables were sold to passing motorists.

This trade increased and greenhouses were built to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and other produce. At the same time other nurseries were being established in the Howden area with a considerable increase in production during the 2nd World War. One such nursery was Howden Nurseries adjacent to California Gardens.

In 1960 Howden Nurseries the site of the present garden centre was purchased and the production of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, vegetables and flowers were greatly increased to satisfy the number of customers visiting the now much larger California Gardens. But another demand was appearing!