Looking Back on 50 Years of Growing Together

As we celebrate 50 years of Otto & Sons Nursery, we're taking a moment to reflect on the journey-from our early days in Chatsworth to the thriving nursery in Fillmore we call home today.

We've gathered photos, milestones, and memories from each decade to share with you. Scroll through the timeline or click on a specific era to explore how we've grown-together.

1970s

Roots in the Ground

Otto & Jeanne Klittich, along with their four sons, planted the seeds for Otto & Sons Nursery on a modest ½-acre plot in Chatsworth. Summers were filled with plant watering and family adventures, and by 1978, the growing business found a new home in Fillmore. From hand-built trailers to repurposed equipment, these early years were all about rolling up sleeves and laying the foundation for the decades ahead.

A path in a garden.
1974 Chatsworth – Our ½ acre nursery with 1-gallon plants among trees. As kids, our summer school breaks were tasked with watering the plants, and many adventures happened during the summer
A garden with many plants and trees.
1974 Chatsworth – looking over an office trailer at the new flatbed fifth wheel trailer we purchased from a Cal Poly student. This was his senior project.
A family of six poses outdoors in front of a large leafy plant, with three teenage boys, a younger boy, and two adults standing together.
1975 Klittich family – Bill, Scott, Otto, Karl, Jeanne, Bob taken in Chatsworth
A man and dogs sitting next to a bulldozer.
1977 Chatsworth – Plants at the Chatsworth nursery were placed on pallets, loaded onto trailers, and shipped to our new Sylmar sales yard.
A group of people sitting on a small white vehicle.
1977 Chatsworth - This is our second tractor. It was a skid steer type, and we could switch out the bucket with forks to move pallets.
A dirt road with people walking on it.
1977 Fillmore - Looking to the east with Guiberson Road in the background is the area that would become our Garden Shop area. Overhead sprinklers and faucets were installed in preparation for more plants
A field with trees and a road.
1977 Fillmore – Looking west from Guiberson Rd to the area that would become our garden shop area
A dirt road with a mountain in the background.
1977 Fillmore East – Looking from Guiberson Road to the east.
A group of people standing in a truck with a dog.
1977 Fillmore Family – Touring the area – Otto, Bill, Sheri, Ginger(Otto’s dog), Bob, and friends
A group of people with dogs and a truck.
1977 Fillmore – Jeanne, Bob, Sheri, and friends
A field with trees and mountains in the background.
1977 Fillmore North – From Guiberson Road, looking north over the property
An aerial view of a farm.
1978 Fillmore Property – When Otto & Jeanne decided they needed more than their 2 acres in Chatsworth, they came across our current location, which had a Valencia orange orchard in bad shape.
A field of trees and a row of trees.
1979 Sylmar - We leased 3 acres of land from a friend with a seed company (Carter Seeds) in Sylmar.

1980s

Building the Dream

The 1980s brought big moves-literally. The family cleared orange groves, installed irrigation, lived in trailers, and slowly transformed the Fillmore property into a thriving nursery. From trenching by hand to rebuilding greenhouses, this decade was marked by grit, ingenuity, and a whole lot of muddy boots. It was also the beginning of Scott's leadership after joining the nursery in 1985.

A truck parked in a dirt field.
1980 Fillmore – We started to clear out another 2 acres of poorly growing orange trees. We lived in the trailers because escrow had closed on the property and Otto and Jeanne had sold their house in Fillmore.
A truck and trailer parked in a dirt field.
1980 Fillmore Living – With no TV reception and just a few radio stations, Scott spent his free time reading.
An aerial view of a farm.
1980s Fillmore Property Aerial – In the top right corner, you can see the house newly constructed.
A group of men working in a dirt pit.
1980s – Replacing the old concrete lines. We laid a new 10” gasket pipe, but before we could bury it, we got a rain storm that caved in the sides of the trench, and the pipe floated and became filled with mud.
A large crane in a field.
1980s new house #1 – Otto and Jeanne’s home is a modular home and was delivered on wheels then lifted onto a block foundation.
A truck with a man in a trailer.
1980s New Truck – The 1980 GMC 1 ton dually was used to pull the 20 foot fifth-wheel trailer.
A truck with a trailer on the side.
1980s New Truck – Otto with a load of plants. So new it did not have a plate yet!
A black and white photo of a farm.
1980s – In the middle of the property, pig pens were used for FFA and 4H projects. Looking north, you can see a tractor pushing over old orange trees to make room for #3 growing area.
A group of men working outside.
1980s - Our propagation house in Chatsworth was cut up in manageable pieces, brought to our Fillmore property. The house served us through 2020, when it was replaced with a much larger greenhouse with available cutting-edge features.
A man digging a hole in the ground.
1980s – Bob working on placing a section of the prop house.
A dirt road with mountains in the background.
1980s – At the north west corner of the property, 3 acres were cleared and planted with Valencia oranges.
A field with trees and bushes.
1980s – At the north east of the property the weeds and dead trees are prevalent.

1990s

Growing and Gaining Ground

Business bloomed in the '90s. The team launched Rose Days, upgraded equipment, and partnered with national brands like Jackson & Perkins. A delivery truck with shelving revolutionized operations, and the nursery's reach extended far beyond Fillmore. Even Vegas took notice, with custom plants grown for the Bellagio. The decade ended with a new logo and bold momentum.

A black and white photo of a flatbed truck with a large white trailer, parked on gravel with mountains in the background. The date 10.13.1999 is in the bottom right corner.
1990 – Our same fifth-wheel trailer was upscaled with a box to protect the plants we were delivering and also 2 new axles for better breaking with the heavier loads.
A man and woman posing for a picture.
1992 Christmas Tree Lot – For over 10 years we had a cut Christmas tree lot. Our delivery driver Jess would take the time off and dress up as Santa Claus for the season.
Flyer for the 3rd Annual Rose Days event, featuring a map, event dates (April 22-23), times, location (1835 E. Guiberson Rd, Fillmore), and details about plants and roses for sale.
1995 3rd annual Rose Days – 2 days with 15,000 flowering roses
Logo for Otto & Sons Nursery, featuring stylized text and a circular emblem with a leaf graphic.
1997 – started using our new logo
Flyer for Otto & Sons Nursery 5th Annual Rose Days event on April 19-20, 9am-5pm, featuring speakers and over 350 rose varieties, at 1835 East Guiberson Road, Fillmore, CA.
1997 Rose Days – At first, this event was a card table with a few thousand roses. As its popularity grew, we began having speakers and sending postcards to our customers.
Hundreds of potted plants arranged in rows on a field with a truck parked nearby; mountains and trees in the background.
1999 – We did our first custom potting order for Jackson & Perkins for their national brand. We potted the plants in a custom pot and then delivered to their distribution center.
A white delivery truck with Hoissons and a phone number on the side is parked on a gravel lot. The photo is in black and white and dated October 13, 1999.
1999 – Our first box truck! This 24 foot box truck had shelves on the inside for holding almost 500 plants!
Otto & Sons Nursery logo with stylized text and a green leaf and red flower graphic inside the letter O.
1999 – changed our logo a little by adding red in the “O” to look like a rose.
Rows of potted red flowering plants are arranged outdoors on bare soil, with trees in the background and a date stamp reading 7.2.1999 in the lower right corner.
1999 Red ribbon for Bellagio – Contract grow for the atrium at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
A bulldozer clears land with trees and debris under a clear sky, with mountains visible in the background.
1999 – pushing old trees out and developing 3 more acres of nursery.

2000s

Bigger, Better, Bolder

New wells, new events, and a whole lot of roses-Otto & Sons hit its stride in the 2000s. Annual Rose Days expanded to attract thousands, Wine & Roses events became local favorites, and the team mixed soil, built trailers, and restored Otto's beloved 1960 Ford truck. Through freezes and floods, the nursery kept thriving, fueled by family teamwork and a deep love for plants.

A nursery with rows of plants and trees, a dirt path in the center, and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
2001 – We removed the trees, graded, and irrigated, the north east corner of the property, Our favorite tractor driver, Larry Sharp is doing the grading.
Rows of potted plants covered in a layer of ice, with sunlight reflecting off the frozen branches and pots. Date on photo: January 31, 2002.
2002 Freeze - Our temperature dropped to the mid–20s, and to protect the plants, we ran water to keep them warm enough not to damage them.
A white box truck labeled Otto & Sons Nursery with a red stripe and phone number, parked near a building under a clear blue sky.
2002 – We bought our first Isuzu box truck with an 18 foot bed.
Three adults stand together outside at night; two men are on either side of a woman, all smiling at the camera. They wear casual clothes and name tags. Lights are strung in the background.
2002 Octoberfest – Bill , Jeanne, and Bob enjoying a moment at the Octoberfest. Bratwurst, sauerkraut, hot Germain potato salad, bread and beer. Polka music too!
Rows of potted plants and saplings arranged under a wooden pergola in a plant nursery with green foliage in the background.
2002 Upcycled Shade House – Otto had collected the posts from a dump run. The roofing panels came from a nursery that was closing. Banding held it all together.
A group of five people wearing green shirts sit on an orange utility cart in a plant nursery, surrounded by potted flowers and hills under a partly cloudy sky.
2002 Rose Days – our 10th year of Rose Days. Cindy, Timmy, Andy, Danny and Scott
A nursery booth display with various plants, a stool, and informational signs, including one reading Otto & Sons Nursery and advertising 500 varieties of roses.
2002 Trade Show – Our display booth at the Pomona Fair Grounds.
A man in a green shirt stands next to tall potted rose bushes with pink flowers in an outdoor garden or nursery area.
2003 Climbing Roses with Scott
Several people in work clothes use shovels and tools to tend to flower beds and plants in a greenhouse or garden center.
2003 – Teamwork installing our display at the Ventura County Fair
A group of people sits outdoors on plastic chairs, listening to a person give a presentation near a white table with supplies, surrounded by trees and plants.
2003 RCU – Mike Connell and Terri Ashmore leading our Rose Care University class
People converse and browse near white tents at an outdoor garden event surrounded by blooming roses and greenery on a sunny day.
2004 Rose Days – Our 12th year of rose days with our good friend Marge helping
Two people on an ATV look at a muddy, flooded landscape with green hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
2005 – Major rains brought flooding to the area. The river backed up and came through our neighbor's property, bringing silt through our nursery and orchard.
Flyer for the 13th Annual Rose Days at Otto & Sons Nursery, featuring a yellow rose with event details, dates, and contact information.
2005 – 13th annual rose days card – 2 days and 90,000 flowering roses
A yellow skid steer loader dumping soil into a red hopper on a dirt lot, with a pile of soil and green trees in the background.
2006 – We purchased a used 1976 Royer 262 to help us mix soil. We traded plants for the old machine and it has given us years of service (with lots of maintenance!).
A water irrigation valve assembly with metal pipes, a red lever handle, and electrical conduit installed on a concrete base in an agricultural field.
2006 – We had a new well drilled ($45,000), which would supplement our other well. Having two wells was needed in case a well went down, we would still have water available.
Rows of blooming roses in a field with promotional text for the 14th Annual Rose Days at Otto & Sons Nursery, including event details and contact information.
2006 Rose Days Postcard – 14th annual Rose Days 2 days and 110,000 flowering roses
A person stands on a roof next to a large satellite dish, waving with one hand against a partly cloudy sky.
2006 Satellite Internet – The need for internet grew and we added a Hughes net dish for faster speed.
Two people work on assembling a metal frame with large tires in a workshop filled with tools, equipment, and shelves against the walls.
2006 Trailer Building – Danny and Otto working on building our nursery trailers
Three people are serving wine to a man at an outdoor tasting booth under a white tent, with wine bottles and glasses on the counter.
2006 – Mike Connell and Opolo winery for our first Wine & Roses event
A nursery with potted plants and shrubs covered in ice from frost protection sprinklers, under clear blue sky, with trees and mountains in the background.
2007 Freeze - Our temperature dropped to the mid–20s, and to protect the plants, we ran water to keep them warm enough not to damage them.
A flat, dirt field with concrete barriers and two white trailers, set against a backdrop of trees and distant mountains under a clear sky.
2007 – We constructed our new loading dock by laying down concrete blocks and filling in the space behind them.
Four people stand around an outdoor bar with wine bottles, under a white event tent decorated with pink flowers in daylight.
2007 Wind and Roses – Our second annual Wine & Roses event with Mike Connell serving Opolo wine to Otto and Jeanne.
Three people stand and sit on a yellow John Deere skid steer loader outdoors near some trees on a sunny day.
2007 Deere Tractor – Looking over our new tractor with Andy Timmy and Scott
A man and an older woman stand outdoors holding a colorful sign that reads, Marges Garden Orange Dot Specials.
2008 Marges Garden – We dedicated our new discount area to our good friend Marge who always liked a good deal!
A woman and a man stand side by side smiling indoors, with another man partially visible on the left.
2008 Christmas Party – Cindy and Scott (half of Jeff!) celebrating Christmas on the new garden shop patio
An old, rusted red Ford pickup truck is parked on a dirt lot near several white RVs and other vehicles.
A man stands next to an open door of a vintage red pickup truck parked on a gravel driveway, with trees and hills in the background.
2009 - After 4 years of work the 1960 Ford truck was finally finished. Otto had not known that it was being rebuilt. He thought we sent it off to the junk yard years ago. He was amazed!
A vintage red flatbed truck with Otto & Sons Nursery on the door is parked indoors, surrounded by potted plants, flowers, and gardening supplies.
2009 Las Vegas Trade Show – We trailered the truck to Las Vegas for the annual nursery association trade show.
Logo for Otto & Sons Nursery featuring a red vintage truck loaded with pink roses, with sun rays in the background and location listed as Fillmore, California.
2009 New Logo – We used an online graphic artist to design a new logo for us using our red truck as a focal point.
A group of ducks sits on the ground inside a chain-link fenced enclosure with a water basin and metal feeder nearby.
2009 – Snails were a constant problem in the orchard and nursery. Otto brought in ducks and ducks love snails. The problem was that coyotes love ducks!

2010s

Legacy in Full Bloom

Recognized as Fillmore's Business of the Year in 2010, Otto & Sons doubled down on innovation and community. From Rose Care University to award-winning fair displays, the nursery became a regional destination. The team welcomed visitors, taught classes, and even worked with rose royalty like David Austin Jr. Behind it all was the same family spirit that started it all.

Two people sit smiling in front of a garden shop, surrounded by flowering plants. One holds a certificate. A sign reading Cashier OPEN hangs on the porch.
2010 Business of the Year—The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce awarded Otto & Sons Business of the Year in recognition of the community support we offer every year.
Red vintage truck and multiple potted plants displayed under white tents at an outdoor market in front of a railroad visitor center.
2010 Farmers market with the Red Truck – For a few years, we participated in a Farmers Market in Fillmore.
A man in a lift truck installs or repairs a hanging sign for Olive & Sons Nursery near a hillside with trees and shrubs.
2010 – We replaced our old wood sign with a new sign.
Five people wearing matching orange polo shirts stand in front of a tree outdoors, with hills and greenery in the background.
2010 Rose Days – Andy, Danny, Cindy, Scott and Timmy at Rose Days.
A man and a woman stand beside a white Otto & Sons Nursery delivery truck parked outside a beige building.
2011 – Picking up our new delivery truck
Flyer for Otto & Sons Nurserys 19th Annual Rose Days, April 30–May 1, 2011, featuring event details, seminar schedule, directions, and contact information.
2011 Rose Days – 19th annual Rose Days with 115,000 roses and a full schedule of speakers on Saturday and Sunday.
Promotional flyer for Otto & Sons Nursery’s 20th Annual Rose Days, April 27–29, 2012, featuring free seminars, a rose field background, and a large rose in the foreground.
2012 rose days – 20th annual rose days with 3 days of classes.
Seven people posing outdoors in a garden with hills in the background; two dogs are in the foreground, one sniffing the ground.
2012 Family Photo – Scott, Cindy, Timmy, Pam, Andy, Steffani, Danny (Woody and Whitney too).
A red rose on a green and blue background.
2013 21st Annual Rose Days – Added Friday to the event
Three adults stand close together, smiling, in front of a field of blooming flowers under a clear blue sky.
2013 – David Austin Jr. visited with his friend to see how we grow their roses.
Otto & Sons Nursery advertisement for a rose sale, featuring a large rose image and text offering 40% off regular prices on Southern California garden roses.
2013 Fall Sale Postcard – We started our Fall 40% roses sale.
Green industrial agricultural machinery with conveyor belts and pipes, set outdoors on dirt with trees and blue sky in the background.
2013 – We bought our first potting machine. It was a used one from a nursery in Orange County. It did not take long for our staff to find that it made their work easier.
Six people stand together outdoors in front of rose bushes, with five wearing matching maroon shirts and one in a white shirt.
2013 Rose Days – Danny, Timmy, Cindy, Pam, and Andy
A nursery trade show booth displays potted plants, a table with promotional materials, and a red truck in the background. A person sits behind the table.
2013 Trade Show– We won a best of show at the Landscape Industry trade show in Long Beach.
A group of people standing in a warehouse.
2014 – Our annual company Christmas Party. Lots of food and fun.
A landscaped garden display with yellow rose bushes, informational signs, a grassy path, and award ribbons on the ground.
2015 Fair award – We won best of division at the Ventura County Fair with our landscaape display.
Otto & Sons Nursery Rose Days event banner with garden roses, event dates April 24-26, 2015, seminar info, and discount details.
2015 Rose Days – our 23rd Rose Days celebration with 3 days of speakers and special pricing.
Seven adults and one baby, all wearing blue shirts, pose together in front of a flower shop with colorful plants and hanging baskets outside.
2015 Rose Days family photo – Danny, Steffani, Luke, Timmy, Pam, Andy, Cindy and Scott
A group of eight people, including a baby, pose together in a garden surrounded by blooming red, yellow, and pink roses on a sunny day.
2016 Family Rose Days – Danny, Steffani, Scott, Luke, Cindy, Timmy, Pam, and Andy
Aerial view of a large farm with orchards, fields, buildings, and a road curving through a dry, rural landscape.
2016 Otto Nursery – A view of the nursery from the south looking north. The photo was taken in November, showing lots of open space for the new plants coming in within a few weeks.
A group of men and women pose outdoors in work attire, standing in front of trees and mountains under a clear sky.
2017 Otto and Sons Staff
Flyer for Otto & Sons Nurserys 25th Rose Days event on April 21–23, with free seminar schedule, guest speakers, and special rose pricing.
2017 Rose Days – Celebrating our 25th anniversary of Rose Days.
Black and white landscape design plan showing labeled paths, a water feature, a demonstration area, filter room, and a main entrance for Otto and Sons Nursery.
2018 – Designing the Display Garden with help from Michael Marriott of David Austin Roses. We used drone photos and emailed ideas back and forth to create the display.
Architectural site plan sketch labeled with areas: Inspirational Campus and Deconfabulation Area, featuring paths, arches, rose bushes, and checker symbols.
2018 – Designing the Display Garden with help from Michael Marriott of David Austin Roses. We used drone photos and emailed ideas back and forth to create the display.
A man kneels beside award ribbons displayed on the grass in a garden area with blooming flowers and patio furniture in the background.
August 2018 – Timmy with our Ventura County Fair winning display.
Two people are constructing a circular brick structure with an inner and outer ring on a dirt area, surrounded by tools and construction materials.
December 2019 – Laying the brick for the fountain in the garden.

Here's to the Next Chapter

From a backyard plot to 38 acres in Fillmore, it's been an incredible journey-one built on family, hard work, and a love for plants. To our customers, past and present: thank you for growing with us. Your support has helped shape who we are today, and we're excited to keep growing together in the years to come.

The Klittich Family

A group of ten people, two dogs, and a baby pose together in a blooming garden with rose arches and yellow flowers under a partly cloudy sky.