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
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,...
Earth Day 2024
Earth Day Mill Valley Come join us as we celebrate Earth Day Mill Valley A free community event Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 11am to 2pm At the Mill Valley Community Center. Earth Day Mill Valley is a family-friendly event, featuring fun activities and green...
Spring 2024 Plant Sale
Spring is just almost here! Our first Plant Sale of the year is Saturday, March 23, 2024, 10:00am - 1:00pm. Stop by the garden to celebrate Spring with us. Checkback soon to see our list of new and "hard to find" plants that will be available. Here's a recap of a 2023...
Now Open Wednesday Afternoons
We are excited to announce that Home Ground Habitats is now open to the public on Wednesdays. In addition to our Plant Sales and Events, we are now open for you to visit us Wednesdays from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. We are located at: 1875 Indian Valley Rd., Novato, CA Please...
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...
Winter 2024 WAL Class registration now open
Registration is open for the upcoming WAL class series at Marin College Series : Watershed Approach to Landscaping Winter 2024 A series of classes based on the Watershed Approach to Landscaping philosophy with the purpose of engaging the public in current thinking on...
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.
