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Outdoor Projects And More Help Freshen Up For Spring
PNL 2
Owner Arlene Francis, left, and nursery manager Angela Cardoza are having a good time setting up the unique garden dcor and gift items that they offer at the Escalon-based P&L nursery. - photo by VIRGINIA STILL

The nice weather and the sunshine means spring is in the air with the occasional rain which helps things grow. This is the time of year that many people start gardening, planting, or are motivated to do some outdoor projects. P&L Concrete Products, Inc. and Garden Center, 1900 Roosevelt Ave., Escalon, may be the destination that you are looking for to help get those projects under way.

William Porter, more commonly known as Bill, founded P&L Concrete in 1972 and it has been family owned ever since. They started out digging tree holes with a backhoe and later included installing septic tanks to their business. At P&L they manufacture pre-cast concrete septic tanks, grease traps, water troughs, and irrigation boxes. If you need any of those items they can deliver them. They will deliver to a wide area from Turlock to Lodi and everywhere in between.

Besides being a manufacturer, P&L has expanded their business to include ready mix concrete, landscaping materials, and a full service nursery. The business that now has four different businesses under one roof is owned by Porter’s daughter, Arlene Francis and her husband Jeff.

“Whether you have a small job or a large job, we can service that,” said Arlene. “It is almost a one stop shop.”

They are both hands-on owners that work at the business as well as run it. Arlene expressed that if anyone is sick they would be able to jump into that position and get the job done. Among many of her owner duties, Arlene has driven a cement truck and at times has had to dispatch drivers. Jeff currently drives the trucks and makes deliveries for the company. If you have a small job, they have transit mixers or easy towable mixing trailers that you can rent and pull behind your own truck.

For your landscaping needs, they have 40 bins of different rocks, soils, and bark to choose from. They have boulders, flagstone, and blocks that you can purchase to make your own fire pit. Their full service nursery not only has plants and flowers but they also have decorative items for your garden or outdoor area. The custom potting service is also available at the nursery so if you need to freshen up your potted plant or need one planted, the nursery at P&L will get it done. Among the many services the nursery has at P&L, they also present workshops and classes on a regular basis.

When Arelene was asked what she loved most about her job she expressed with a smile that the she really enjoys the different people the she meets.

“I love it when they bring in their pictures after they’ve done their yard,” she said.

Here are some upcoming classes in March:

March 9: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Cameillia Society – planting, growing, problem solving

March 16: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The Petunia-Landscape Design Co.

March 23: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Delta Bluegrass Company

March 20: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The Petunia-Landscape Design Co.

All classes will be held in the P&L Garden Center and are free of charge. There is sometimes a fee for materials. Last month they hosted a ‘Fantasy Miniature Garden’ event that, according to staff, was a big success.

Hours of operation for P&L are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information call, (209) 838-1448 or visit their website: plconcrete.net.