Issue date: June 02, 1999

Roger Reynolds Nursery celebrates 80 years Roger Reynolds Nursery celebrates 80 years (June 02, 1999)**Talks, demonstrations and free lunch on tap for Saturday.

By JANE KNOERLE

Roger Reynolds Nursery, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, is having a party on Saturday, June 5, and everyone's invited.

The nursery, which has been in business in the same location (133 Encinal Ave. in Menlo Park) for 80 years, has planned a full day of events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are free and open to the public.

There will be talks and demonstrations on garden-related subjects by the nursery's suppliers. Darcee Rogers, "the Duchess of Dirt," from Cascade Soil Products will give hourly demonstrations on planting the Flower Carpet Rose. Kurt Hase of Rod McLellan Co. will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to talk about orchid care and do some repotting, if time is available. Mike Craib of Suncrest Nurseries will speak about growing perennials and Ed Laivo from Dave Wilson Nursery will talk about "gardening and your health."

Other topics include: the urban herbal garden, making moss baskets, growing tropicals, and creating an oasis with water plants.

For lunch, there will be free hot dogs, popcorn, iced tea and lemonade. There will also be a raffle drawing for prizes and gift certificates.

The history

Roger Reynolds Nursery is named for its founder who started the nursery in 1919 after purchasing 15 acres between El Camino Real and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks in Menlo Park. At that time the nursery fronted the El Camino Real.

In the early years, the nursery's redwood grove was turned into a park with barbecues, picnic tables, a dance floor and a jukebox. It was rented out on the weekends to San Francisco organizations wanting "a day in the country."

To make ends meet during the Depression, Mr. Reynolds leased out some of his property. The Franciscan Forge began its business as one of his tenants. A Victorian cottage on the property, used as a guest house for the family, later became Edy's Candy Store, complete with soda fountain. Today it is the Carriage Stop, which sells garden gift items and house plants.

After Mr. Reynolds died in an automobile accident in 1932, the business was run by his wife. She sold some of the land and later, part of the remaining five-acre nursery was leased to Home Savings of America. Today Roger Reynolds Nursery is owned by Sara (Sally) Halstead, the step-granddaughter of Roger Reynolds. The family trust continues to own and is leasing the property at the corner of El Camino Real and Encinal Avenue, which is being developed as an office complex.

The nursery's manager is Mary Walcher who has a bachelor of science degree in ornamental horticulture from Fresno State Unversity. She has managed the nursery since 1987.

Four staff members, as well as Ms. Walcher, are California certified nursery professionals, and many on the staff are studying to take their exams.

To find out more about the June 5 celebration call 323-5612.