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 to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 1-4PM or by appointment.
Spring 2025 Plant Sale: April 12th, 2025
Creating Habitat
Why Habitat Matters
Plant Sourcing
Growing Plants from Seed
Spring 2025 Plant Sale!
Spring is almost here. Celebrate in the garden with us at our first Plant Sale of the year. Saturday, April 12th, 2025, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Join us to purchase organically grown habitats plants, hear expert presentations, and learn more from our guest presenters...
Plant of the Month March 2025: California’s Native Currants
Early Bloomers Support Pollinators The really early blooming season of the manzanitas is coming to a close just as the currants are starting to bloom. Tiny, first-generation bumblebees (Bombus melanopgus) are still gathering nectar and pollen from the manzanita blooms...
Plant of the Month February 2025: Manzanita, a California Native
Manzanitas in Bloom Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos species) burst into beautiful bloom early each year during the rainy season. At Home Ground Habitats, our collection of manzanitas is now almost five years old, and many specimens have developed the intricate branching...
Home Ground Habitats Fall Celebration 2024
Our Harvest Season Event was a Bountiful Success! The Fall Celebration 2024 at Home Ground Habitats in October was an autumn day of celebration. Thanks to all who helped out at our Novato plant nursery and garden. We hope you enjoy our video. Day of Fall Festivities...
Winter 2025 WAL Class registration opens 1/7/25 at 9:00am
Registration opens in January for the upcoming WAL class series, beginning February 1st, at Marin College Series: Watershed Approach to Landscaping Winter 2025 A series of classes based on the Watershed Approach to Landscaping philosophy with the purpose of engaging...
It is Leave the Leaves Month!
This season, consider skipping mowing and blowing leaves. Why? Fallen leaves are more than just yard waste, they are a vital habitat for invertebrates and help protect and enrich the soil. Leaf blowers, in particular, have been linked to a dramatic 75% decline in the...
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.
