California Spring Trials (CAST) 2027 dates announced

The dates for California Spring Trials (CAST) 2027 have been announced, with event organizer the National Garden Bureau also reflecting on the success of the 2026 event.

CAST 2027 will be April 6 to 9, 2027, which is again a Tuesday to Friday pattern.

This key industry event for brokers, growers, landscapers and retailers will again be held at multiple locations across California, offering an exclusive preview of upcoming ornamental and edible plant introductions.

At CAST 2026, all nine host locations reported an increase in attendance compared to the previous year.

“This year’s California Spring Trials exceeded every expectation. Seeing all nine locations report attendance growth is a testament to the vitality of our industry and the extraordinary work of our breeders and growers. The enthusiasm we witnessed during our travels was infectious,” said Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau.

Each of the nine participating host sites — spanning Gilroy, Salinas, Arroyo Grande, Santa Barbara, Santa Paula and Somis — reported year-over-year increases in foot traffic and registered visitors. Organizers attribute the growth to a combination of factors, including expanded marketing campaigns, a unified registration system for all locations, a robust lineup of new plant introductions in core crops and growing industry demand for in-person networking.

“I care about my customers, and that’s the reason I attend CAST every year. I want them to feel confident in the plants they buy so I’m always looking for improvements that will make their experience more enjoyable and more successful,” said Jared Hughes of Groovy Plants Ranch.

For breeder summaries, click here. For attendee testimonials, click here.

For more coverage of California Spring Trials, click here.