Novato Company Building Edible Garden at Marin Art & Garden Center

Novato-based company Rayner Landscaping will build an edible garden at the Marin Art & Garden Center, a project that will serve to teach both adults and children about plants and offer volunteer and learning opportunities.

The edible garden will be 30 feet by 50 feet and be open by end of September. It’s a dream project for the center. To help fund it, the center spent several years fundraising with the help of the Ross Recreational Auxiliary, a group of residents who raise money for local recreational causes.

“It will be a demonstration and learning garden for the whole community—from kids to adults— to show people where their food comes from,” said Jessica Fairchild, a center board member and architect who created plans for the garden. It’s exciting that it’s finally happening.” 

More cities, restaurants and homeowners are turning to edible gardens as a way to grow local food and educate residents, according to Eric Rayner, who owns the Rayner Landscaping.

"Edible gardens are at the intersection of several movements," he said. "With people paying more attention to where their food comes from and the health properties of what they eat, edible gardens check all the boxes.”