Our mission is to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California.
Portable Edible Gardens / Jardines Comestibles Portátiles proves that you don’t need a yard to grow your own food.
Our bilingual, hands-on program teaches participants how to grow vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers in portable grow bags—on patios, balconies, or other small outdoor spaces.
In partnership with Cesar Chavez Library in Salinas and Greenfield Public Library, Monterey Bay Master Gardeners host free community workshops in English and Spanish. While their children take part in garden-related activities, adults receive practical instruction on how to create and care for their own home garden.
Each family leaves with:
● A fabric grow bag filled with nutrient-rich soil
● Healthy starter plants: vegetables, herbs and edible flowers
● Instructions and tips for growing their own food with support from trained Master Gardeners
Your gift helps families grow fresh food at home, with confidence and the support they need. No yard required!
Monterey Bay Master Gardeners impacts all of Monterey County. We are a volunteer-based public education program that shares sustainable gardening practices and builds community health. We offer practical training in English and Spanish, promote water conservation and green waste reduction, and help residents grow food at home, even in small spaces.
Our plant sales provide low-cost vegetable starts and native plants to hundreds of local gardeners. We offer free support through a gardening hotline and public information tables at local events.
Portable Edible Gardens is designed for families who have limited access to gardening resources—especially those living with limited space or face language barriers. The program provides immediate tools and skills for growing food, along with a sense of connection and calm through the activity of gardening.
In 2026, we will train and certify 45 new Master Gardeners to extend this work to even more communities across the county.
Thank you so much for inviting me to the Portable Edible Gardening class. I just loved it. I’m growing my herbs in one bag and tomatoes in the other. It’s so cool, cause I can move them around to a different spot if I have to. They’re reusable, so no waste.My grandkids love them too. It’s the perfect way to introduce gardening to everyone. Not intimidating at all. Makes it so easy to get outside and grow your own fresh food. Hope we can get more classes in South County, especially for our seniors in Gonzales. I’m sure they’d love it too.
- Lucy Stewart, Greenfield
