Mostly Natives Nursery

Longtime Marin Organic members Margaret Graham and Walter Earle have owned and operated Mostly Natives Nursery in Tomales since 1984. Before starting the nursery, Margaret was a commercial fisherman and Walter had various jobs. They decided to go into the nursery business when they began having children, purchasing the plot of land where their nursery now stands. They have since become known for their impressive knowledge and appreciation of plants that tolerate seven months of drought each year.

The nursery propagates the plants themselves and sells directly to the public instead of to wholesalers. They focus on cultivating organic vegetable starts and a variety of both native and non-native plants. Lists of plants that thrive in various conditions, such as near the ocean, in the shade, or in containers, are posted at the nursery. Their website also provides extensive information on topics like attracting hummingbirds and choosing deer-resistant plants.

People come from all over the Bay Area, especially from the East Bay and the Peninsula, to buy starts here due to the difficulty of finding native plants. Mostly Natives Nursery is one of only three nurseries in the wider Bay Area that specialize in native plants. They offer a wide range of plants including perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses, ferns, vines, and annuals. The nursery also provides resources on beneficial insects, butterflies, and various planting conditions.