Frequently Asked Questions

When you plant California native plants in your garden, you are helping to restore natural ecosystems
that are fast disappearing. If everyone planted 50-70% of their gardens in native plants, that could
restore our fast-declining bird and insect populations.
Plants do best when they are planted in areas close to where their parent seed or cuttings came from.
This strategy preserves the local genetic makeup of the plants, keeping diversity within species to a
maximum so that they are able to adapt to diseases, pests, and other natural and human influences.
Local natives also provide food, habitat, and shelter for the local animals who evolved with them.

Every dollar spent at Ploughshares Nursery contributes to the Alameda Point Collaborative supportive housing community.

APC provides 500 residents, including more than 150 youth, with the stability of long term and permanent housing combined with life skills and job skills training, counseling, advocacy to connect with services, and emotional support, all with the ultimate goal of getting the support needed to be able to lead an independent, stable, and productive life. Studies show that supportive housing is one of the most effective models for ending the vicious cycle of homelessness.

Learn more: https://apcollaborative.org/

Ploughshares Nursery is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday. Winter hours: 9am-4pm, Summer hours: 10am-5pm. Check our Holiday Schedule for special closures.

Weekends are a must for customers and landscapers that start their projects during the week. Mondays and Tuesdays are ideal for nursery maintenance and staff rest.

Though many local native plants are drought resistant, we offer plants from all types of local native habitats, including those near creeks, lakes and marshes.

Note: Even the most drought-resistant plants require regular watering during the first year or until they are established in your garden.

Three reasons: scope, natural variability, and timing.
Ploughshares Nursery specializes in CA native and drought tolerant plants as well as edible plants and fruit trees. We grow and source inventory from other vendors. Some items may not be on our grow lists. We do take special requests or suggestions on what our customers would like to see at Ploughshares Nursery. We will not keep plants with high water needs in stock for most of the year.

You should water all plants after planting. Drought tolerant plants will need to be watered regularly for the first year after planting to get established.

• Sales tax will be added to all but edible plants and trees
• We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and Ploughshares Nursery gift cards
• We offer discounts to APC residents and employees, seniors, non-profits, and landscapers
• Returns are accepted under the following conditions: plants are still in good condition in its original container and customer has a valid receipt

Our nursery is run by a small team and we do not bid on commercial projects. However, you are welcomed to buy plants for your project. We offer a %15 landscaper discount.

Yes. Ploughshares Nursery delivers in Alameda and in the East Bay for additional fees. $20 (in Alameda), $40 (in Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Leandro)

• Edible starts
• Fruit trees
• CA Natives plants
• Drought tolerant plants
• Seeds
• Soils and amendments
• Fertilizers and pesticides
• Stakes, trellises, and tomato cages
• Pottery

Note: houseplant sales have been put on hold until we find better security solutions

Yes. Dogs must be leashed.

Note: there are cats and chickens that roam the nursery

There is street parking on Main St. just outside the nursery entrance