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
2024 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour Video
On May 18, 2024 Home Ground once again participated 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 inspiring gardens throughout Sonoma...
Scholarships available for Habitat Garden Summer Camp
Home Ground Habitats in Novato is excited to announce that we have scholarships available for our first annual Habitat Garden Summer Camp for children. Full and partial scholarships available, no child left indoors this summer 🙂 FOR INQUIRIES:...
June 2024 Home Ground Habitats + Marin Green Drinks
Charlotte Torgovitsky talk at Marin Green Drinks: June 11 You are invited to attend the next Marin Green Drinks mixer at Lotus Cuisine of India in downtown San Rafael on June 11, 2024 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Learn how native plants increase biodiversity with...
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Iris douglasiana – Douglas Iris
Douglas Iris are very special to California - with flowers that are not just beautiful but also easy in garden culture, and totally deer-proof. Iris douglasiana prefer part shade and once established, need nothing but rainwater. In the wild they grow in woodlands,...
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...
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.