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 Wednesdays 1-4PM or by appointment.
Creating Habitat
Why Habitat Matters
Plant Sourcing
Growing Plants from Seed
The Other “Ladies”
There are three closely related 'Ladies' that are easy to provide for in a habitat garden; the Painted Lady, the American Lady, and the West Coast Lady; however, they are not always easy to tell apart. Personally, I’m happy to see any and all of the butterflies coming...
Painted Lady Larval Host Plants
Other Larval Host Plants Painted lady larva will also feed on weedy thistles in the Cirsium and Silybum genera, as well as the dreaded Yellow Star Thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), and related cultivated plants like Artichoke and Cardoon. The larvae also feed on other...
Painted Lady Butterflies
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is the most cosmopolitan of all butterflies on earth. This butterfly is widely distributed all over the Northern hemisphere, and can be seen in all types of habitats except dense forests. Painted Ladies lay their eggs on many...
PLANT OF THE MONTH
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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.
