Postcard photo from the 1960s. Caption: "This is a nurseryman's Garden center - supplied with plants grown on the adjacent 400 acres of fields. Local-grown plants of the largest variety available anywhere make this a mecca for homeowners and garden enthusiasts."
Growing the Business
As Wayne and Roger became more involved in the business, Ed was able to spend his time concentrating on new plant development. Upon Ed's death in 1986, Wayne and Roger assumed leadership of the company with Wayne as president and Roger as treasurer and chairman of the board.
Through the 70s and 80s the nursery continued to expand as the Mezitts purchased adjoining land as it became available until the nursery encompassed over 900 acres. During this time, many production methods changed, largely in response to competition and escalating costs. Container growing expanded in importance, and winter storage of above ground plants became more sophisticated. Plastic-covered greenhouse structures were built to store these plants during the winter. The repair garage, built in 1954, was doubled in size. More ponds were dug and a nursery-wide irrigation network tying together all the ponds and collecting runoff water was developed. Field work formerly done by hand became mechanized, including most aspects of transplanting, maintaining and harvesting of crops.
In 1996, Peter W. Mezitt joined the company, making Weston Nurseries a 4th generation business. At the turn of the century, the company grew plants on over 600 acres, had 30 acres of container production, and 20 acres of selling space, with an additional 250 acres in surrounding woodland. Employment reached 240 people at peak seasons with 40 year round employees. Immigrant workers from outside the U. S. made up the majority of the seasonal workforce. Thousands of employees have participated in the growth and success of Weston Nurseries, and we have been very fortunate to have many devoted employees who have worked at the nursery for most of their working lives.
