Local firms help get gardens into shape

March 21, 2003

While the rest of the country is just beginning to thaw out, California is already awash with wildflowers and the warm breezes of spring are beginning to roll in. Today marks the first day of spring and the first of the big sales at area gardening stores. But for those of us who live in Oakley it isn't as easy as running out to the nearest store and picking up a plant and then putting it in the ground.

Unlike other cities in our area, Oakley is once again set apart by its sandy soil and lack of nutrients that make it hard for any plants to grow. As a matter of fact, when settlers first moved into to Oakley to farm, other farmers told them they were crazy, that nothing would grow in this soil except for weeds.

What they soon discovered was that although this soil may not be able to grow everything, the sand was great for trees like almonds, walnuts and olives. Other plants such as grapes and tomatoes also do quite well here. So while others jokingly called the early settlers "sandlappers," the Oakley pioneers laughed all the way to the bank.

Although Oakley is better known for its grape vineyards these days, for the most part people are interested in mostly how they are going to get their lawns and flowers back in shape for the spring. While there aren't a lot of places to go in Oakley for some good advice on gardening, there is a little place on Empire Avenue that you might want to check out. It's called Helios Farms and has been in business for more than 25 years.

Helios consists mostly of plants that should have no problem growing in Oakley, since most of the items are grown right on the premises. They carry a wide variety of trees, which include fruit, shade and ornamental varieties. They have some grapes in stock, as well as many perennials.

Flowering shrubs are the most popular in Oakley, and Helios carries a variety that can grow with a lot of care and some that just need to be watered every now and then. If someone doesn't have a green thumb, Helios recommends a flowering shrub called Lavatera. It grows tall and features medium size white and purple flowers on it that seem to bloom most of the year in our mild climate.

This time of year the people at Helios recommend that you plant anything that is mostly dormant and get it into the ground now before the hot season comes. One of the most successful plants I have grown while living in Oakley has been roses. They thrive in our sandy soil. You can get them bareroot this time of year and get them into the ground right away. If all goes well, by June you will probably have buds blooming.

Helios is open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and their staff is available to answer questions. They have even been known to assist customers by going out to your location and helping figure out your garden woes.

One more hint from Helios is to keep your lawn aerated and use soil conditioners regularly to avoid having to water it too much. The problem with sandy soil is that the water seeps down below the roots quickly, which means that the soil dries quicker.

Starting May 1, the Robin's Nest, the new store located where Delta Freewheeler used to call home at 3831 Main Street, will be adding a small outside garden center to the right of their building. They are hoping to bring in exotic plants that can't be found at the bigger garden stores. They are also acquiring a selection of outside antiques and reproduction settees.

And if you are looking to decorate a garden with fun statues and wind toys, check out Statues and Stuff on Main Street in downtown Oakley. Remember, a garden grows with lots and lots of patience and you'll need a lot of it here in Oakley.

Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.

Distributed by the Contra Costa Times

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