Our demonstration gardens are the living foundation of Home Ground Habitats. What began as compacted soil, drainage problems, weeds, and rubble has become a thriving ecological landscape — built step by step using native plants, water-wise design, and pesticide-free stewardship.
Each area of the grounds tells a story of restoration: reshaping land to slow water, rebuilding soil, planting for insects first, and allowing life to return.
What began as a poorly shaped, stagnant basin was reimagined as a balanced ecosystem. We reshaped the land, installed drainage swales and French drains, built a filtering bog, softened slopes, and planted native wetland species to create shade, shelter, and habitat. Solar-powered waterfalls and aeration bring oxygen to the water, attracting frogs, birds, insects, and seasonal wildlife.
This pond is not ornamental — it is reconciliation ecology in action.
Explore the Habitat PondTo solve drainage challenges and establish strong planting zones, we built raised berms using stone, clean fill soil, and carefully planned irrigation. These berms improve drainage, create microclimates, and allow us to showcase diverse California native plant communities.
From Manzanitas and Monkeyflowers to Buckwheats and Ceanothus, these gardens demonstrate how layered planting builds resilience and beauty.
See How Berm Were BuiltOur irrigation systems are designed to support plants during establishment — not to create long-term dependency. By grouping plants by water needs (hydrozones), capturing rainwater through swales, and using drip and low-flow systems, we minimize runoff and conserve water.
The goal: once established, the garden works with the rhythm of Northern California’s rainy and dry seasons.
Learn Watering StrategyMaintenance in a habitat garden is not about control — it’s about timing and stewardship. Late summer cutbacks mimic natural cycles. Composting, mulching, seed collection, and careful pruning build soil health and biodiversity year after year.
We work with nature’s rhythms, always watching for nests, pupae, and overwintering wildlife.
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