November Grower Spotlight of the Month - Scott Klittich of Otto and Sons Nursery - Ventura County Agricultural Education

We are so happy to introduce you to Scott Klittich of Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore. Otto & Sons Nursery was established in 1976 by Otto and Jeanne Klittich and their four sons, Bob, Bill, Scott, and Karl. Our Farmer-of-the-Month Scott joined the family business in 1985 after receiving a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He currently manages the nursery, and took us on a wonderful tour of the grounds.

The family nursery business was spawned out of Scott’s dad’s (Otto’s) primary job as a landscape contractor for many years. The flowers that he tore away and planted at his job sites, he would then propagate and grow. What started out as a ½-acre property in Chatsworth grew, then relocated and expanded to the 22 acres it is today in Fillmore. Valencia oranges make up the other 15 acres that comprise the Klittich’s 40-acre property.

The Southern California climate is an ideal place for planting and growing roses. In 2015 alone, Scott and his crew had over 120,000 rose plants. Otto & Sons Nursery grows over 800 different varieties of roses; including the beautiful purple Barbra Streisand rose, which is one of the nursery’s best sellers.

In addition to their roses, Otto & Sons also sells over 300 different varieties of fruit trees, including blueberries, figs, persimmons, apples, peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines.

Next year marks their 40th year in business, and we can’t wait to celebrate with them. We hope you will join us too! In the meantime, check out their website to learn more about their story, products, and where their plants are sold.