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
Earth Day 2024
Earth Day Mill Valley Come join us as we celebrate Earth Day Mill Valley A free community event Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 11am to 2pm At the Mill Valley Community Center. Earth Day Mill Valley is a family-friendly event, featuring fun activities and green...
Spring 2024 Plant Sale
Spring is just almost here! Our first Plant Sale of the year is Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm. Stop by the garden to celebrate Spring with us. Checkback soon to see our list of new and "hard to find" plants that will be available. Here's a recap of a 2023...
2024 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour
Save the date: Saturday, May 18th Home Ground Habitats will once again participate in the annual 2024 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour. The Eco-Friendly Garden Tour is a public outreach and education program that promotes sustainable landscaping practices by showcasing...
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Baccharis pilularis var. consanguineum – Coyote Bush
This California native shrub grows in all sorts of plant communities in our wild lands and is also a valuable shrub in a habitat garden sanctuary. Studies have shown that this plant provides resources for more than 400 species of insects! In late summer, when the...
Epilobium (Zauschernia) canum – California Fuchsia: Haven for Pollinators & Garden Beauty
Epilobium (Zauschernia) canum California Fuchsias are both beautiful and tough plants! There are many species and named cultivars available; all are drought tolerant, and as a spreading herbaceous perennial plant they can cover a lot of ground. These plants thrive in...
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,...
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.