Native Plant Communities
Topics
Bees and Other Pollinators Birds Butterflies Fruits and Berries Gardening with Wildlife Growing Plants from Seed Habitat Gardening Harmony with Nature Monarchs and Milkweed Native Plant Communities Propagating Plants Seed Collecting Tending Your Garden Useful Nonnative Plants Wildflowers
May 13 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour
Don’t miss the 13th annual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour on May 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, now back in person. This year’s tour will showcase gardens with a native focus and emphasize the importance of adaptable plants in changing climates. Events will...
Get Ready for the May 13, 2023 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour!
Don’t miss the 13th annual Eco-Friendly Garden Tour returning to an in-person format on Saturday, May 13, 2023! This year’s tour will be back to in-person, for the first time since 2019! The gardens on the tour this year will be native-focused and highlight the...
Tour of Home Ground Habitats gardens by Founder Charlotte Torgovitsky
This video is a short tour of Home Ground Habitats gardens and nursery narrated by our Founder Charlotte Torgovitsky Charlotte will lead a biodiversity tour of Home Ground Habitats gardens and nursery on March 18, 2023 for the Environmental Forum of...
Biodiversity Nursery Tour March 18
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, we invite you to an in-person guided tour of Home Ground Habitats nursery and gardens led by our Founder, Charlotte Torgovitsky. Participants will learn: How to select and cultivate native plants appropriate for your yard The benefits of...
We have had a busy and productive year at Home Ground!
Much of the work of propagating the plants we provide to others is accomplished by our terrific group of dedicated volunteers. During our twice monthly volunteer sessions we have been propagating a huge and unique selection of habitat plants; both California natives...
2023 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour
Save the date: Saturday, May 13th, 2023. That’s when Home Ground Habitats once again participates in the annual 2023 Eco-Friendly Garden Tour. The Tour features California native and eco-friendly gardens throughout Sonoma and Marin counties and it includes our...
Special Garden and Nursery Features
Redwood Deck Gathering Area Shade Houses Dry-Stacked Walls Greenhouse Garden Arbors Water Storage Tank Redwood Deck Gathering Area One of our first ‘build-outs’ was designed to reclaim the area under a large Fuyu persimmon tree where the drainage was very bad. We...
Fall Season Event at Home Ground Habitats
A short recap of the October 15, 2022 Fall Season Event at Home Ground Habitats Nursery. Select participants got to tour the nursery, and purchase various seeds and seedlings. Several participants got very excited about seeing a Gulf Fritillary Butterfly as well as...
Home Ground Habitats Virtual Tour
Thank you to everyone who attended our Launch Tour on May 14, 2022. You can also enjoy this VIRTUAL TOUR of our gardens and nursery below. Home Ground Habitats is located in the ‘horse country’ area of Marin at 1875 Indian Valley Road Novato. From 101 take the De Long...
Directions to Home Ground for May 14 Launch
We’re excited to invite you to visit Home Ground Habitats nursery on May 14, 2022! Our launch day tour is FREE, but all guests must REGISTER. Date & Time: May 14, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location: Home Ground is located at 1875 Indian Valley Road in...
Home Ground Launch Day May 14, 2022
Home Ground Habitats Nursery Tour Register now for our Launch Day Tour Date & Time: May 14, 2022 from 10 AM to 4 PM This outdoor event features: Garden Tour Walks Plant and Seed Sale (Cash/Check ONLY) Short Talks and Demonstrations Nursery visitation by...
Collecting Seeds
As a propagator, I often try different approaches to germinating seeds of certain species. Sometimes I get such a definitely positive response to one pre-treatment method, that it becomes the one I’ll always use—like soaking toyon seeds for just one hour before...
Creating a Personal Ecosphere
While out walking the trails and open spaces in various parts of Marin County, I’m often astonished at how certain native plants can grow and adapt very nicely to a variety of exposures, habitats, and communities. Coffeeberries, for example, grows in shady California...
Dreaming of California Truffles
I’m quick when it comes to spotting potentially edible foods in the wild; partly from lots of reading about California flora, and how the native peoples provided for themselves; and partly from an all-consuming curiosity that’s been with me since childhood. I like to...
California’s Native Cornucopia: Plentiful Food for the Birds!
It’s a bit artificial to create a listing like this which is defined by the months of the year; as we all know, nature does not follow the human calendar. Day lengths are set and reliable, but local weather is not, and neither are the conditions within micro...
It’s for the Birds!
I love watching the birds at my feeders, which are strategically placed away from potential danger and in such a way that I get a great view from my favorite place to sit and read. I’ll notice all the activity in a peripheral sort of way, but when something unusual...
Poison Oak and Its Relatives
A native plant that we all know (or certainly should!) is Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobium) because it is so widespread in the Bay Area. Many people get a very uncomfortable rash if they touch any part of the plant, so knowing how to identify it and avoid...
Two Redbuds
Early in March, the Redbud is ready to burst into bloom; the beautiful zig-zagging tracery of its branches soon to be disguised in a cloud of pink flowers. I’ve planted several redbuds in different areas on our property, but the most spectacular is a well-developed...