See Alberta. That has been the battle cry here in the Santa Clarita Valley for more than 40 years. The person that we are referring to is Alberta Martinez, a local resident and an employee of Green Thumb Garden Center, one of the largest retail garden centers in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Alberta began her nursery career at Green Arrow Nursery in the San Fernando Valley, and transferred to Green Thumb Garden Center in Newhall the day it opened its doors 40 years ago. She has been there ever since.
Over the course of four decades, Alberta has seen every insect and disease known to exist in the Santa Clarita Valley. She can recommend the proper control methods and good tips on avoiding plant problems.
Living and working here, she has learned about the many different soil types with which local gardeners have to deal. She has solutions for coping with any soil problem that nature can dish out.
Most gardeners know her on a first name basis. Chances are, the questions that you ask your gardener are ultimately answered by Alberta.
With such a reputation and faithful following, she is in constant demand. A day does not pass that people do not line up at Alberta’s desk with their baggies full of leaves and bugs. For the first 20 years, Alberta worked six days a week. For the last 20 years, she has been semi-retired, working nine hours a day five days a week.
On the two days that Alberta is not at the nursery, she has two qualified assistants available for consultation. With more than 30 years combined nursery experience, they are well qualified, but they gladly take a back seat when the master nurseryman is in. So, remember, if you have a problem getting your lawn to grow, or your roses to bloom, just stop by Green Thumb and see Alberta!
For additional information, consult the garden experts at Green Thumb Garden Center, located at 23734 Newhall Ave. (formerly San Fernando Rd.), Newhall.