Plant Resources - Sustainable Solano

Plant Resources for Solano County

Solano County Local Nurseries

A special note on Coronavirus (COVID-19): Many nurseries have changed the way they operate in response to health guidelines. Where applicable, we have provided information on how these local outlets are conducting business — but check with them for updates.

Biota Gardens Nursery at Harmony Organics (Benicia) – Harmony Organics will serve as a distribution site for Biota’s plants. This partner blog offers more information.

El Rancho Nursery (Vacaville) – The largest family-owned and operated nursery in Solano County growing a wide array of plants available for delivery.

Grow a Pear Nursery (Vallejo) – A pop-up nursery from the owners of Dog Island Farm open on select days and by appointment.

Ongoing plant sales. Now offering online gardening courses. More here.

Lemuria Nursery (Dixon) – The largest wholesale grower of plants in Solano County, open to the public. Nursery owners and operators since 1939.

Remains open 8 am-4 pm Monday-Saturday. Check on plant availability.

Loma Vista Farm (Vallejo) – This education-based farm sells plants that do well locally, including many natives, perrenials and herbs. Sales support the farm’s educational programs.

No plant sales at this time. More here.

Mid City Nursery (American Canyon) – A great source for gardening and plant information in Napa County and Solano County.

Open with temporary adjustments to hours and days of operation. More here.

Morningsun Herb Farm (Vacaville) – Offering a wide variety of Herb and Perennial Plants for sale online AND at the nursery.

Remains open with some important social distancing rules in place. Senior hours from 7-9 am Wednesdays (those 55 and over also get a 10% discount on Wednesdays). More here.

Sweet Pea’s Nursery and Pet Boutique (Vacaville) – Organic succulent nursery with organic soil, flowers, herbs, vegetables and seeds. Also carries local farm products and a pet boutique carrying pet foods, bathing products & supplies.

Information Resources

Sustainable Solano Seed Plot Definition

The design concept of the Solano Sustainable Landscaping Initiative is based on a standard model plot of a permaculture food forest called “Seed Plot”. We hired a professional permaculture designer to develop a model plot based on plants that thrive in the Bay Area, native or well-adapted to Mediterranean climate (resulting in moderate water use), high-yield and multiple functions of each plant to ensure creation of a vigorous healthy ecosystem providing food, supporting natural habitat and building up soil. [Click here for full description of Seed Plot ]

Permaculture Talk with John Valenzuela

Hear permaculture expert John Valenzuela’s talk on permaculture, from it’s history to how it works in today’s garden from our Virtual Demonstration Food Forest Tour and Talk.

A Forest Garden

Learn more about the approach of a food forest garden in this short film from Thomas Regnault highlighting agroforestry expert Martin Crawford’s work to transform a field into a forest garden. The film is part of National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase.

Shared here with permission of the filmmaker.

Elements of a Food Forest Garden

Learn what goes into creating a food forest garden in this series of short informative videos covering Design, Swale & Berm, Healthy Soil & Sheet Mulching, Planting Fruit Trees, Food Forest Layers, and Irrigation. You can watch the full series below or find individual videos here.

Vegetable Gardening

Watch these video tutorials on planting your spring fruits and vegetables!

Find guidance on what to plant and when in your annual vegetable garden here.

Master Gardener

The Master Gardener Volunteer program is a great place for sourcing and learning about plants.

Seasonal Planting for Raised Beds & Benefits of No-Till Gardening

Learn how to get the most out of your raised beds and build healthy soil in this talk from Rachel Brinkerhoff of Dog Island Farm and Grow a Pear Nursery and find Rachel’s additional resources here!