Tom Piergrossi's Vintage Green Farms

I have been a resident of San Diego since the 1983 and Andy in 1976. In that time we formed a successful landscape company and wholesale plant farm, ‘Vintage Green Farms’ specializing in exceptional plants that perform well in Southern California.

As many of you know, big changes are in store for us here at the farm. Andy and I made a decision to move to Hawaii last year. We will miss San Diego, our friends and many of the plants we love, but the lure of a rural tropical paradise was too strong, and after considerable contemplation we decided to made Pahoa, HI on the Big Island (just south of Hilo on the East side) our new home.

View a Detailed Description of the House for Sale and Property.

Having made that decision, the work ahead was daunting, but in the last year, we have managed to liquidate most of the nursery, dismantled the landscape installation side of our business and finished remodeling the house, which we started long before we knew we were moving.

The good news is the house we live in and the property the surrounds it are everything we’ve ever dreamed of, the bad news is we will have to leave it behind. Basically what I’m trying to say is that the house and property are for sale. We realize the real estate market is slow, but we are confident someone will fall in love this great house and botanical paradise we have created and buy it.

Until we sell the house, work still continues. I have no landscape crew, but I am still providing consultations and design work until we leave. Light pruning jobs are possible with enough advance notice to pull a day crew together. Some of the guys, who have worked for me in the past, now have their own businesses, but have graciously agreed to give me hand when I need it. I’m still in the office on Mondays

We encourage potential new clients to come to the farm on Mondays to meet with me and take a possible walk with me through the display gardens. [ see Consultation/Landscaping Services Page for details ]

The farm and gardens are open by appointment only Tuesday through Friday and are closed on weekends. For an appointment, call the office at 760.598.4882. [ see Map Page for directions ]

Casual dress and sensible footwear are suggested, as the dirt roads, gravel paths and possible mud are always present. We keep the big wooden gates at the front entry closed to keep our 2 rat terriers in and the rabbits out. You are welcome to bring your dog, but please bring a leash.

‘Vintage Green Farms’ is working to develop a mail order business for the plants that are the best of the best for Southern California. Watch for details on the website.

The gardens are open for tours to Garden Clubs, Professional Plant Associations and other affiliated groups for $200.00 a tour. Please contact the office 760.598.4882 for scheduling. [ see Map Page for directions ]

The many gardens feature rare and unusual examples of Mediterranean and semi-tropical species. Over 3000 different taxa demonstrate the use of color, texture, form and structure, as well as larger design principles, to clients visiting the gardens.

The naturalistic style of the gardens focuses on the collections of trees and shrubs that are the backbone of the garden. These trees and shrubs are pruned in an artistic style called lacing, which is the key to their long-term maintenance and their overall development and health.

The naturalistic style of the gardens follows the style of Tom’s mentor Sin Jen, a local German horticulturalist who died in 2001 at the age of 93. The naturalistic design style considers plant selection placement as well as long-term maintenance.