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Doss-pics-of-Geri-1Home Grown Edible Landscapes grew out of an effort by Master Gardener, Geri Miller, to reach out to like-minded people who were searching for sound, organic, research-based resources for challenges they were facing in their own back (and front) yards. Through the overwhelming response to her fan page on Facebook, it was clear that there was a growing national “grass roots” interest in learning to use landscapes in a more environmentally sound and productive way. As a UC Davis certified Master Gardener and horticulturist, Ms. Miller works to strengthen communities. Much of her work over the years has been pro bono to educators and non-profits focusing on children.
“Whoever creates a garden, creates happiness,” has defined Geri Miller’s life, beginning when she discovered her love and talent for gardening as a child to her trailblazing efforts in introducing eco-friendly, research-based edible gardens and landscapes to public schools, hospitality companies including resorts, restaurants, galleries and spas as well as private residences in the greater Los Angeles area since 2001.

Her philosophy is that there is more value in teaching individuals and families how to design and care for their own organic gardens than in the “stop and drop” style of

Boo - the HGEL Gardening Dog!

Boo – the HGEL Gardening Dog!

traditional landscaping. The additional yet no less important benefit possible from this approach is a richer experience for the individual client or family by:

  • heightening environmental awareness
  • reducing the carbon footprint of the traditional landscape,
  • a healthier lifestyle through better nutritional habits and
  • increased physical activity through gardening.

 

Organic Practice Specialties:

Edible landscaping
Potager gardens
Native gardens
School & Elder gardens
Commercial gardens: restaurant production gardens, spa aromatherapy gardens, cocktail/mixology gardens, hobby gardens.

Ms. Miller is available as a speaker for your next event or professional association meeting.

Miller Cover updatedWatch for Geri’s upcoming book, A GUIDE TO VEGETABLE GARDENING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (Timber Press), available now on Amazon.com , in So. Cal Costco stores and in the garden shop at The Cook’s Garden in Venice.

There is nothing more regionally specific than vegetable gardening—what to plant, when to plant it, and when to harvest are decisions based on climate, weather, and first frost. The Timber Press Guide to Vegetable Gardening in Southern California, by regional expert Geri Miller, focuses on the unique eccentricities of California’s gardening calendar, which include extreme temperatures and low rainfall. The month-by-month format makes it perfect for beginners and accessible to everyone— gardeners can start gardening the month they pick it up. This hardworking book also profiles the best fifty vegetables, fruits, and herbs for the region, along with basic care and maintenance for each. 

Read Ms. Miller’s blog on Huffington Post.

 

Meet our gardeners…

All our garden managers hold degrees in an Ag related field and/or hold certifications through UC Davis Cooperative Extension/LA County as Master Gardeners or certified Victory Gardeners, all with a minimum of 5 years experience growing in their own gardens, community gardens and/or school gardens.

 

Private Gardens

Michelle Alger-Mintie: Graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies (focus on agroecology) in 2012. Michelle has experience in farming both in LA County and Washington, VA. Internships include: Green my Favela (school gardens), Rio de Janiero, Alan Chadwick (pioneer in Bio-dynamic farming) Garden, Santa Cruz, Yellow Wall Farm, Santa Cruz. Michelle is lead Assistant Garden Manager for our private gardens in Hancock Park, Beverly Hills and Baldwin Hills. Michelle manages our on-site production garden at Post & Beam restaurant.
 
 
Katherine Hunt: Kate serves clients in Bel Air, Beverly Hills , Sherman Oaks, Toluca Lake, Pasadena). Kate is a trained pastry chef which gives her a special insight for culinary gardens. She has extensive experience working on a variety of farms as well as tending high-end private gardens. She also tends the HGEL restaurant garden beds for Union Restaurant in Pasadena.

The Cook’s Garden by HGEL, 1033 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice

John Burnett (Asst. Manager: restaurant harvester, maintenance technician, assistant flocker): Having trained under and worked aside respected figures in the world of 4-H Extension, FFA and Massachusetts Ag Club, John has literally grown up in the field of agriculture. Though John’s horticulture career began in the landscaping trade, his real interest was farming; growing vegetables and raising animals all his life in his home state of Massachusetts.  At Plymouth University, John studied primary education (K-8) as well as environmental science.  He discovered a love for working with children and when he relocated to the west coast, found a position that married both his love of education and growing food at Group Village Glen school in Culver City.  John completed an internship at TCG earlier this year. John plans to apply to the LA County/UC Davis Master Gardener certification program in spring 2016.
 
Rylan Griggs (restaurant harvester, maintenance technician, assistant flocker): Rylan trained as an intern at TCG and now has become an excellent harvester, skilled in TCG restaurant harvesting.  Rylan has learned how to manage a small commercial flock of chickens during his time with us and finds that he enjoys tending the chickens almost as much as he does tending the plants! Rylan plans to apply to the LA County/UC Davis Master Gardener certification program in spring 2016.
 
 

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