Organic Plant Nursery and Educational Center in Novato
Home Ground Habitats is located in Indian Valley, the ‘horse country’ area of Marin; large old ranchettes, open spaces, and networks of horseback and hiking trails all close by. On our nearly one acre we have gardens that are vibrantly alive and beautiful. Butterflies, bees, and birds abound, bringing the natural world to a landscape that also provides sustenance for humans. Our Education Center offers Plant Propagation Classes.
The demonstration gardens at Home Ground showcase a sustainable, organic approach to creating a truly California-friendly landscape using native plants and drought-tolerant Mediterranean species to increase the bio-diversity. Winding gravel pathways lead to hedgerows, wildflower meadows, a small fruit orchard, a vegetable garden, edible and medicinal California natives, pollinator plants, a ‘Monarch Way Station, and numerous larval host plants for other common garden butterflies. The whole property is a ‘pesticide free zone’. Our garden and nursery sells seeds and seedlings and is open by appointment only.
Creating Habitat
Why Habitat Matters
Plant Sourcing
Growing Plants from Seed
Plant Sale September 16th 2023
Everyone’s favorite plant sale is back: DATE: Saturday, September 16th TIME: 10:00am - 1:00pm Call or email us to check on availability of your favorite plants and seeds. See our list of plants we have grown. We look forward to seeing you in the Home Ground Garden...
Home Ground Habitats donates plants for Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Novato school recognized for environmental efforts Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Novato has earned its second certification from the National Wildlife Federation for its work to create educational wildlife habitats. Read the full article in the MARIN...
Fall 2023 WAL Class Schedule
This year the first day of Fall is on Saturday, September 23, 2023. For some of us, Fall means the shortening of daylight hours, the changing colors in our gardens, and Back-to-School. The Fall 2023 Watershed Approach to Landscaping Series schedule has been announced...
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra var. caerulea): Growth, Benefits, and Culinary Delights
Elderberries are fast-growing when planted in mostly full sun exposure and watered regularly; a one-gallon-sized plant can become a six to ten-foot, multi-trunked shrub within a year! They are a great choice for closely planted hedgerows combining small trees, shrubs,...
Cultivating Milkweeds: Vital Habitat Plants for Monarch Butterflies
Just about everyone loves the Monarch Butterfly – and by association with this iconic insect, knows about Milkweeds (Asclepias species). Milkweeds are the only host plant for the larvae (caterpillars) of the Monarch Butterfly, and therefore essential to the species,...
Heuchra Alum Root: Native Varieties, Garden Cultivation, and Stunning Blooms
Saxifrage Family – Alum Root or ‘Coral Bells’ Heuchra maxima, Island Alum Root, is native to some of the Channel Islands, where it grows on rocky outcrops and in shady woodlands. It is a tough and beautiful plant and easy in garden culture. In the lowland forests of...
Our Mission
Our mission is to be the North Bay Area’s leading habitat-focused landscaping resource. We are a nonprofit, volunteer run growing grounds and educational center, committed to engaging, promoting, and supporting sustainable, California-appropriate landscaping.
