May 12, 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

Historic Lloyd Wright-Designed Palisades Home Hits Market at $12.9M

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Wright, the son of Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the estate for an Academy-winning composer A historic estate designed by architect...

Saint Monica Prep: Mariner Sports Camps Focus on Fundamentals

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Coaches that led Saint Monica Preparatory’s Mariner sports teams to win league and division titles are offering opportunities for the...

Top Malibu Sale of 2025: Oceanfront Malibu Colony Home Sells for $26.8M

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Old Hollywood-Era Home Sells After Over a Year on the Market Topping Malibu’s residential sales charts for the year, a...

SM.a.r.t Column: Open Container, Closed Minds: Why Santa Monica’s Outdoor Drinking Plan Will Likely Drown

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Santa Monica’s new plan to allow outdoor drinking on the Third Street Promenade between 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM is...

Annual Film Awards Show Leaving Santa Monica for Hollywood

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

The move marks a major shift for the iconic awards show, long known for its laid-back, seaside atmosphere that distinguished...

Group Exhibition “Boulders” Showcases Work by 34 Artists at Arcane Space

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The exhibition emphasizes “mutual support, collective strength, and an unflinching engagement with this current moment.” A new group exhibition opening...

Avril Lavigne Partners with Palisades Skate Shop for Sweatshirt Fundraiser

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

The sweatshirt, blending Lavigne’s signature style with Paliskates’ skate culture roots, is on sale Three months after its spotlight moment...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

Film Review: Thunderbolts*

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

FILM REVIEWTHUNDERBOLTS*Rated PG-13126 MinutesReleased May 2nd The Thunderbolts are a highly unique part of the Marvel Comics universe of superheroes...

Santa Monica Cashier Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minor

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

The ABC is conducting compliance checks statewide The Santa Monica Police Department cited a retail clerk at Bristol Farms, located...

Santa Monica Pier to Host Final Locals’ Night of the Season on May 15

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Highlights include a classic car show, free salsa lessons, and performances by punk bands Cycotic Youth and No Reaction The...

(Video) A Fourth Palisades Restaurant Reopens Months After the Wildfires

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

The Reopening Coincided with Cinco de Mayo Celebrations The Reopening Coincided with Cinco de Mayo Celebrations. pic.twitter.com/gHgWqVSjY8 — Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: Your Destination for Local Events, Celebrations

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Cinco de Mayo, Pride Month and More Parties This Summer Shore Hotel, a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of...

(Video) Petitgrain Boulangerie’s Party For Its One Year Anniversary

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

We got the gifts with a DJ, free cookies, croissants and affogatos. Congratulations to the co-owners Clémence de Lutz and...