July 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

From Its City Center Home, the Cook’s Garden Venice Promotes Plant Diversity, Sustainable Organic Gardening and Hyper-Locavorism to Los Angeles Community

By Susan Payne

Gardens serve a purpose, never more than right now.

For Geri Miller, founder and CEO of Home Grown Edible Landscapes, that purpose came to life in 2013 on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, one of the most high-end restaurant and retail streets in Los Angeles.

“My eyes fell on a vacant, weed-infested lot and it inspired me to take my Home Grown Edible Landscapes work to the next level,” Miller said. Along with the support of a willing property owner, Dan Abrams, who appreciated Miller’s vision, she was able to make this dream a reality. 

Under HGEL, Miller opened The Cook’s Garden Venice with a mission to shift food production closer to the consumption of food. The practice encourages businesses, landowners, local government and communities to move agriculture back to city centers. The garden features freshly harvested, hyper-local and nutrient-dense food with enhanced flavor in the center of a retail-driven neighborhood, minimizing the time between harvest and plate.

“I turned the lot into a hybrid urban farm, edible plant nursery, greenhouse, classroom, garden shop and event space among a flock of chickens, ducks and turkeys (affectionately called the Girls Next Door),” Miller said. 

Chefs, mixologists, clean beauty companies, spas and residential clients directly benefit from the garden by purchasing subscription-based harvest packages that meet their needs. The garden also serves as a powerful outreach and educational tool benefiting anyone who walks through.

“Regardless of age, ethnicity or nationality, people find something in the garden that resonates. For some, it’s a recollection of a distant childhood memory with a lost loved one, and for others, it might be an inspiration to learn something new. “Many of our visitors never purchase anything. They just want to be present in the garden,” Miller said.

Miller believes there is more value in teaching individuals and families how to design and care for their own organic garden, than in the “stop and drop” style of traditional landscaping. The benefit of this approach is a richer experience for the client through four avenues:

• heightening environmental awareness

• reducing the carbon footprint of the traditional landscape

• promoting a healthier lifestyle through better nutritional habits.

• increasing physical activity through gardening.

By hosting workshops, events, group classes and mini sessions, Miller shares her passion for gardening in hopes that more people will become better stewards of the environment. 

“Join our harvest subscription programs and enjoy the benefit of a fresh harvest. By far, the most popular option is the Harvest Day Program where we train you to be a harvester. We do all the hard work; you have all the fun,” Miller said.

As one of the only nurseries on the westside specializing in edible plants, Miller’s customers get a taste of hyper-locavorism — the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested within a radius of less than 100 miles — with only a few hours between harvest and the plate and as small a carbon footprint as possible. A TCG harvest gives clients the most nutrient-dense vegetables and herbs possible, making every bite count!

Miller is a certified master gardener and horticulturist who discovered her love and talent for gardening as a child. Miller has been introducing eco-friendly, research-based organic edible gardens and landscapes to public schools, hospitality companies, nonprofits and private residences in the greater Los Angeles area since 2001.

From the beginner to the more experienced gardener and home cook, The Cook’s Garden offers support, promotes plant diversity and uses its garden as a teaching tool. For more information, visit thecooksgardenvenice.com.

<>Related Posts

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...