Dress Up Your Garden For Spring

(Every Friday Bargain Hound will sniff out great ways to save money and have fun in and around San Leandro.)

Time to pretty up the garden! Time to go to pots, get stoned, and pick out a fountain. Boy, have we got goodies for you. You can build a patio, stack stone walls, and install the fountain of your dreams without traveling far from home.

Lets start with all that beautiful stone and brick work. Just head over to Morgan Brothers Patios on Washington St. These guys have been around for a long time and they have everything you need. Want flagstone? They have several varieties and colors. Boulders? Gotcha! Cast concrete pavers for something more symmetrical. Plus sand, gravel, and everything you need to put down a good solid base. They even have the cute-cat stepping stones for that corner where the kids like to play. Take your measurements and questions. They'll take care of you.

Morgan Brothers Patios, 14305 Washington Ave. (510) 357-5220

Looking for a beautiful fountain, statuary, or a bench for the garden? Pots for the front porch or to decorate the patio? Don't strain the leash, we have plenty of good stuff close to home.

Hop across the border to Oakland to Art Craft Statuary for beautiful classical Italianate cast concrete fountains, planters, benches, and statuary. Great pieces, great service, and these things stand up to a lot of wear and tear. Mine have put up with the weather and rambunctious dogs for 20 years and still look good as new.

 Just be prepared for a major case of  "I want it!" and lots of garden lust. 

Sample prices: a 7' tall fountain with statue of Aphrodite - $650.00; classic 3-tiered fountain with small lions heads- $980.00; large pot with swag garlands-$126.00; and a large seated Cupid- $169.00. And you can make the kids happy with their wonderful animal stepping stones: $19.00.

Unlike most places you can pick out the color finish you want and they will make it for you at no extra charge. Want to mix and match fountain pieces to create something unique? No problem as long as the pieces fit. Let me know when you want to have Bellinis, or Michelangelos, on the porch. I'll be right over.
Art Craft Statuary 10441 Edes Ave, Oakland (off of 105th/San Leandro St.)
(510) 633-1411

Want something more contemporary? Check out the selection at Evergreen Nursery Inc. It is still early so they don't have a lot out but I spotted a very nice cast "granite" table with 4 benches for $899.99; and a small metal bistro table and 2 chairs for $279.00. You can pick out your focal point and plants at one time then just sit back and enjoy your nice work.
Evergreen Nursery, 350 San Leandro Blvd, San Leandro,  (510) 632-1522

A grab it now bargain alert: Just want a couple of nice ceramic pots while saving money? Grocery Outlet has a small selection of glazed ceramic pots at hard to beat prices right now. I spotted a couple of large beauties for $29.00-$45.00 along with smaller pieces for a lot less. And they have few fruit tree saplings for only $9.99.
Grocery Outlet, 2179 E 14th St, San Leandro (510) 895-3605

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