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UC Marin Master Gardeners

Edible Demo Garden

The Edible Demo Garden at IVC Organic Farm & Garden

EDG Garden view

The 2100 sq ft Edible Demonstration Garden at Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden (IVOFG) in Novato was designed and installed by UC Marin Master Gardeners in 2016 and is a hands-on teaching tool for UC MMG and the public.  The garden showcases sustainable agricultural practices while growing over 100 varieties of vegetables, flowers, fruit and herbs using a variety of growing situations that are options for Marin gardeners.

News from the Edible Demo Garden

What you can do at the Edible Demo Garden

edg MMGs working, Perrin copy

Visit the garden
Drop in any first Friday of the month between 9am-11am. We will give you a tour and answer any gardening questions.

Guided group tours
Private educational tours and training are available to groups. To schedule a private tour, contact us at EdibleDemoGarden@MarinMG.org

Buy our sustainably-grown, organic produce at the Farm Stand
All produce grown in the garden meets the Marin Organic Certified Agriculture (MOCA) requirements and is sold at the IVOFG farm stand or included in the farm's CSA boxes. The farm stand is open Saturdays 10am - 1pm July through October.

Learn from our workshops:
• Offered periodically on Saturday mornings during the year
• Learn how to plant, maintain and harvest vegetables, identify and manage pests and problems, and maintain soil fertility.
• Check for upcoming workshops/events on our events calendar

Email us at the Edible Demo Garden for more information

HOW TO GET THERE

College of Marin Indian Valley Campus
1800 Ignacio Blvd
Novato CA 94949

> Directions to Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden
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OTHER UC MMG 
DEMONSTRATION GARDENS
> Harvey's Garden at Blackie's Pasture, Tiburon
> Falkirk Demonstration Garden, San Rafael

LEARN HOW TO GROW EDIBLES IN STRAW BALES

> BACK TO ASK US
When a horseradish root grows to the size of a large carrot, it is ready for harvest Photo: Marty Nelson
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December 2022: Horseradish Harvest

November 30, 2022
Several years ago, raised beds were built to provide garden space for growing spice plants. These were plants such as ginger, turmeric, and horseradish, plants not commonly found in backyard gardens...
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Sugar snap peas are not only delicious cool season crops, but they also fix nitrogen in the soil. Marty Nelson
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November 2022: Fall Garden Activity

November 30, 2022
Fall is an active time in the Edible Demo Garden. Volunteers have been busy harvesting summer produce and, simultaneously, planning and preparing for winter crops.
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Herbs integrate easily into an edible garden. Photo: Marty Nelson
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October 2022: The Many Benefits of Growing Herbs

September 29, 2022
Herbs are among the most reliable plants in the Edible Demonstration Garden. Some garden spaces are dedicated to growing perennial herbs and other established beds accommodate annual herbs on a rotation schedule. Culinary herbs belong in an edible garden for many reasons...
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September 2022: Introducing the Honeyberry

August 21, 2022
A small bush grew unnoticed at the edge of the Edible Garden for several years until a new garden pathway was needed and the bush was in the way. Only then did a garden volunteer find a tag identifying the bush as a honeyberry.
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The aphids and ants on this artichoke plant can be washed off with a strong spray of water. Photo: Marty Nelson
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August 2022: Managing Pests in the Organic Garden

July 29, 2022
The plants are lush and green, and the harvest has been plentiful in the Edible Garden in July. Contributions to the IVC farm stand and Community Supported Agriculture included summer squash, cucumbers, beets, onions, carrots, fennel, rhubarb, and basil...
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Marigolds partner with cabbage to reduce damage by aphids. Photo: pixnio
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July 2022: Plant Partners

June 29, 2022
In June, new Big Moose pumpkin seedlings were planted in the area of the garden known as the back forty. However, volunteer sunflowers had already taken over this garden area, which had been left fallow during the winter...
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As bees move from flower to flower gathering pollen, they are also distributing pollen to fertilize the plants. Photo: Pixabay
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June 2022: Welcome Pollinators!

June 29, 2022
Flowers are abloom in the Edible Demo Garden raising expectations of a bountiful harvest to come. Now the bees just need to help by doing their pollinating job and the fruits and veggies should appear. Pollinating, though, can get complicated.
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Seed potatoes are nestled into the straw at planting time. Photo: Marty Nelson
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May 2022: No Digging Needed to Grow Potatoes

May 24, 2022
Growing potatoes in straw may seem like a crazy idea but the success of this method in the Edible Demonstration Garden suggests that this no-dig approach could be an option for home gardeners. It can be especially appealing when working with rocky clay soil...
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Chicken wire is wrapped around the straw bales to hold them together and keep out gophers. Raoul Stepakoff
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April 2022: Ready, Set, Spring Forward!

March 24, 2022
With the onset of spring, the pace of activity in the Edible Demonstration Garden has picked up. Its time for planning the edibles to grow this spring and summer, preparing the garden beds, and sowing the seeds...
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Choose low chill hour varieties for Marin. Brenda Dawson
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March 2022: Growing Blueberries

March 1, 2022
Blueberries are the focus of the newest demo garden project. Blueberries grow on long-lived and attractive shrubs and are both delicious and nutritious. They can be an ideal addition to an edible garden or to a home landscape if their growing conditions are met.
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