Bill Tall
Family owned and operated since 1972, City Farmers Nursery specializes in gardening products, American-made items for the home and yard, and free advice. In San Diego, it is the largest organically maintained nursery.
But it’s really far more than just a nursery. In addition to the carefree (and seemingly immobile) cat that can be found lazing about on the register counter, the nursery hosts a farm animal menagerie, including a pony, goats, turkeys, chickens, ducks, turtles, fish, a puppy and a parrot. There’s also a play area for children, and a bonsai and bamboo sitting area for those needing a peaceful moment out of the inner-city sun.
City Farmers Nursery is located at the corner of Home and Euclid avenues, and is a colorful staple and hub of activity — the treasure of its neighborhood. The property was originally purchased in the ’60s by Nate Tall, and has continued to expand ever since, seeing the addition of its family home and a restaurant. Though Tall died before the official opening of Nate’s Garden Grill, the small, eclectic diner is enjoyed by old and new patrons alike, serving great food and providing live performances by local musicians.
Bill Tall, Nate’s son, is now the owner and full-time operator of the nursery. He is unparalleled when it comes to information about gardening, and he isn’t stingy when it comes to sharing. Say, for example, you needed to know how much chicken excrement is necessary to fertilize a 4- by 6-foot garden plot, Bill Tall is your man. (For the record, that was not a hypothetical; it’s literally the last conversation overheard at the nursery.) He’s also impossible to miss, with his signature salt-and-pepper beard and yellow measuring tape suspenders.
Bill’s three kids were raised on the property and also know a thing or two (or three or …) when it comes to gardening. Sam is taking after his father at the nursery, and his daughters, Rebecca and Sara, can be found on the property helping out from time to time.
4832 Home Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105
cityfarmersnursery.com
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That got us thinking. There’s nothing really available online that’s broad and comprehensive with regard to San Diego’s progressive history and locales — a directory of sorts. We want to change that.
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Staff
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We’ve been going to City Farmers for a couple of decades. It’s also the go-to place for native and draught-tolerant plants. If Bill doesn’t have it, he can get it! Often the customers supplement Bill’s answers with their own experiences. – and Nate’s is great, too!
Nice write up–Bill Tall is the man. The restaurant is actually called Nate’s Garden Grill, and they serve a lot of food that is grown on the property! The meat is grilled right in front of you and the carnitas tacos are THE BEST. The breakfasts can get crowded so plan accordingly and they also have music EVERY night! :-D
Thanks, Jamie! The correction has been made.
What a treat it is to go to City Farmers Nursery. We head over there once a month to replenish our chicken feed – Organic Layer Feed. I always try to go when we have time to have lunch at Nate’s and to wander around looking at what’s new. Can’t resist picking up a native plant or two to add to my labyrinth or a veggie seedling to add to my raised beds. I’ve also found that the chairs in the shade outside the coffee shop are a perfect spot to do an interview for my book or my Free Press column – quiet and low stress – much, much better than Starbucks! But you need a better photo of Farmer Bill, he’s looking very spiffy these days! And you are right – he always has an answer to garden or livestock questions and graciously offers them with a smile.