Spiral Gardens

As a professional gardener this is my favorite nursery to buy plants from for my own garden. No other nursery comes close to their variety of herbs & vegetables. Happy to donate extra when I can to support their mission ♥️

The Best neighborhood nursery hands down. The staff is very friendly and helpful. They ask how's your garden coming along? And will help you transport items to your car. I been going for the last 5 years or so. You can get all your garden needs taken care of here.

Really great community nonprofit and they have a retail nursery that has a lot of variety of edible plants, including some really unique ones.

This is my favorite nursery in the Bay. They have great prices, plants you won't find starts for anywhere else, and everyone who works there is delightful. If you want to grow medicinal herbs, native plants, or just have a traditional veggie or herb garden, this place will hook you up. They have fruit trees at great prices too, many are grafted so you only need one tree for cross pollination. They also carry the best types of potting soil for your cannabis plants, if that's something you're looking for.

Update: I love this place, but agree with another reviewer that the quality of plants isn’t always great. Blueberries covered in worms (at the nursery.) Tomatoes got early blight (after bringing home, could also have been made worse by crazy rains this year but it started 1-2 wks after I got them.) One of a kind. Love the unique plants I’ve found here. The owner has deep plant knowledge.

Lovely community nursery. Affordable prices and great people.

Great place to find plants that will thrive in local conditions. The main guy there doesn't seem very sociable, but once you engage with him you'll see he is a font of practical advice and gardening wisdom. I'm not sure what the hours are anymore, but I was there today buying a tomato plant and certainly recommend the place. They've got veggies and herbs and succulents and fruit trees and many more.

Couldn't recommend this place more! The owners are incredible: knowledgable, kind, and very easy-going. We stopped by this place right before closing time after unsuccessfully looking for budget plants at some of the bougier stores in Oakland. There is a pretty big selection with quite low prices, and we picked up a few herbs for our kitchen (about $3.5 each), a bag of soil, and some secondhand terracotta pots and trays (about $1 each for the small ones, and $10 for larger), and are in great condition after a quick rinse!). Love the community focus. Bonus points -- there were two lovely big dogs hanging around!

This non-profit community farm is such a peaceful hidden gem. It's filled with a wide variety of garden fruits, vegetables, and plants--everything from herbs and veggie starts to full-grown trees. It's a great spot if you're looking to grow your own food or just enjoy a calm walk through nature. There's a section for indoor houseplants, but it's a bit limited. Most of the options are Succulent plants and hardier varieties, so if you're looking for a large variety of tropicals or more delicate indoor plants, you might not find much--though there is a separate indoor plant area that was closed off during our visit. You'll definitely notice the fertilizer smell when you walk in--not overwhelming, but something to be aware of if you're sensitive. Still, the overall atmosphere is relaxing and grounding. It's a really lovely spot to explore, especially if you enjoy gardening or just want a nature-filled reset. Heads-up for allergy sufferers: with all the plants, pollen, and earthy air, you may want to plan accordingly. We didn't directly interact with the staff, but they seemed friendly and helpful, assisting other guests as I walked by. Parking: There's plenty of side street parking available in the surrounding neighborhood, and a few spots right in front of the entrance. Hours: * Monday-Thursday: Closed * Friday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM * Saturday-Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Have you started your garden yet? You have to swing by Spiral Gardens in Berkeley. They have a great selection this year for greens, peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and berries. They also have great prices on compost/soil. I picked up a few hot pepper varieties and more strawberries (5 for $10) Go show some support for a local non-profit that helps with food insecurity and spoil yourself with new plants. It's a win/win!

I was looking for catnip and found some at Spiral Gardens after a fruitless search. . . and discovered a whole load of beautifully looked after plants including some gorgeous herb and vegetable starts and a few rarities from Africa and elsewhere, took home an unusual Salvia with amazingly deep blue flowers. Such a wonderful atmosphere and friendly people.

The selection of less common herbs and plants and edibles here are great. They've got the cheapest prices and some of the highest quality plants of nurseries in the bay. The owner, his wife, and his kids are always very kind and helpful when I have questions about plant care. Highly recommend stopping by here if you're looking for natives or looking to grow your own medicinal herbs and food.

Spiral Gardens, a charming, casual, small community-oriented nursery, has an excellent selection of plants for home gardeners. I go to Spiral for small 6-packs, which they usually sell at prices SUBSTANTIALLY lower than the big box stores like Home Depot. Informally, They also dispense solid advice on a variety of horticultural topics, particularly practical knowledge of specific interest to Bay Area gardeners They support the local community and help locals learn seed-starting, basic gardening skills, and nursery operations. Save money and salve your conscience: drop by their location and help the 'hood at the same time!

I have shopped here several times, and although I support their mission, I find their plants to be lacking. I have purchased plants that are so root bound I couldn't get them out of the container. I've purchased plants that have weeds growing in the pot. Information on types of plants is not available in some cases, and customer service is minimal. Good prices though. And it serves the community.

I've been wanting to come to this space for quite the time and having gone there today, it's sure to become a place of my constant patronage. A neighbor wanted two soil bags -- they're 1/2 cu/ft per bag -- and she was very adamant about using Spiral Garden's soil since it's been very successful in her garden, so I offered to take a trip on her behalf. What an absolutely precious place! I enjoyed browsing all of the starts and well established plants that the nursery had. It felt as though I was in a botanic garden! There was so much moisture, shade, pollinator and bird activity happening, it was incredible to take it all in so fresh in the morning. I encourage anyone who'd like to support a hyper local, small business, to come here for all (mostly) their garden needs. The plants all looked vibrant and healthy and it's special to know they welcome support for volunteers. Not to mention, their compost smelled and looked fabulous!

This is the nursery that's at the Albany Farmers' Market. When I stopped by today they didn't have any apricot trees, although they did have fig trees, a couple of types of apple, a comice pear, a couple of olives and several other fruit trees. All were $35 aside from one (maybe the olive) that was $40. Given the size of the trees and their healthy condition I consider that very reasonable. I was very tempted by raspberry bushes, yellow and red, that were $6 for 1 and $15 for 3, but couldn't figure out where I'd put them so they'd get sufficient sun. I asked about the apricot trees and he said they had them, he just couldn't bring all the trees they had. He said he'd bring some next week. If he doesn't I'll just drive down to the nursery when they're open. I hadn't realized they were part of Community Food Security Project until I read the paper he gave me when I asked for the garden's card. Then I read the other Yelp reviews, almost all 5 stars and I got a sense of how they fit into the community. So they make an excellent social contribution while growing healthy plants. They have a produce stand and encourage people to grow their own produce. From the description of the nursery itself it sounds like my kind of place. Overgrown and full of life. I'm going to have to pay them a visit, I can tell.

Just wanted to say that Spiral Gardens is one of the most beautiful spots we have in an otherwise blighted neighborhood. I love that they're here and make fresh, healthy produce available. I wish their food stalls could be open more often, but since they're entirely volunteer-run, and part of their mission is to encourage *you* to grow your own food, I guess that's not really a fair request. Last summer, they offered a whole series of free workshops on gardening, sustainability, composting, etc. It was great to see the folks that came out and to get to meet the garden organizers. They're an articulate, friendly, knowledgeable bunch. I've purchased worms from them before. And given worm juice back to them when I was unable to make use of my overactive vermicomposter. I'm still learning from the ground up, as it were, and I feel much better having a community resource like Spiral Garden to walk me through my questions.

Love love love this place. A wonderful assortment of rare plants. I received amazing advice on how to care for my plants and the varieties that are appropriate for my space. I also purchased a beautiful planter. Can't wait to go back once the pink chicken gizzard (blood leaf plant) propagates!

I have no idea how as a 30-year Berkeley resident I've never been here before. If you want to feel uplifted and inspired, stop by this place. Like many COVID-era people, I'm getting into gardening and the whole philosophy of this place feels so welcoming and comforting. Take a look at their website to find out about their timely mission. Their prices and selection of local-friendly plants are amazing. I came both weekend days and spent a long time choosing dozens of items, from trees to herbs to flowers to succulents. Also got soil, compost, fertilizer and several different styles of the container. Felt like I was on a holiday, I had so much fun! Staff is super nice as well.

When I first moved here I was strongly encouraged to goin a CSA. One day while out walking with the boys I found this place and we love it!! Lisa (I'm pretty sure) is nice and encouraging. She gave me alot of great tips for starting my garden. The prices are fair, and you can always get more help if you need it. The produce stand on Tuesday was fun, we picked out our items and got to meet our neighbors. From now on we will get our fruits and veggies (eggs & organic apple juice) from the stand. It's less expensive than some of the local companies that deliver their produce or have you pick it up!

I like that they are a non-profit. They do save their best plants for the farmers market (Saturday Berkeley) so I'd just go there though there is a larger selection here. The selling space is a bit messy and many of the plants for sale are runty.

My sister, a Berkeleyan, told me about this spot, and I'm so glad I went. They have knowledgable staff ( shout out to Kanchan!), and unusual stock, and specialize in edible, pollinator-friendly, and medicinal, plus drought-tolerant plants. I saw quite a few things I'd never seen before. The last time I went to a regular nursery, I started crying. There was nothing I wanted to buy, and everything was common, impractical, or uninteresting. I went for inspiration and left feeling hopeless. I left Spiral Gardens feeling hopeful and ready to get to work, and with a full flat of various starts. Definitely worth the trip!

i was in the neighborhood doing some volunteer work and came across spiral gardens. their community garden is amazing - they have ruby chard that has grown to be as tall as i am. i enjoyed checking out their chicken coop with several chickens and ducks. they also have a nursery across the street. i was surprised at how affordable their plants are. they were advertising a deal that was going on when i went where they had $5 loquat trees and I came across a blueberry tree that was for$15. i was bummed out that we had already got ten a blueberry tree for double that price... this is a place to get your plants if you live closeby, they have really good deals!! makes you wish every neighborhood had a spiral gardens.

I first discovered this place when I had to write an Urban Garden Assessment for Miguel Altieri's class. My group and I volunteered here for a few months, and then after the project, I continued to volunteer. Why? Because this place is awesome! I love what they are trying to do, I believe in their practices, and I really enjoy learning about sustainable agriculture. I like to think of myself as a pretty helpful person. I was a poor college student, so I could not donate or buy much to contribute. Therefore, I just went and volunteered a few hours every weekend to help renovate the green house, transplant, and organize the place! I was sad to see the food stand go because I feel that was one of the core programs Spiral Gardens had to offer to the community. The other volunteers here were generally very nice people. Everyone was willing to help if possible, and the director, Daniel, is also a very nice person. He was never too busy to help a person, even when he actually was. His knowledge of plants and insects is outstanding, and I've never seen him baffled at any situation (and people come in with some weird questions that left this college boy here stumped... and I thought I was pretty smart). hahaha. One of my favorite places. If I lived in the area, I would totally volunteer here every weekend. It's nice to be able to grow your own food. I truly believe in urban agriculture, and now I just need to practice it!!

this place makes me SMILE. 3 years ago, I heard their fresh rice, came straight from the growers. This is a popular item that kept selling out. If you haven't had fresh rice, you're in for a surprise. It's extra fluffy, and fragrant

Totally ragtag, totally overgrown...but totally awesome This is a real down to earth neighborhood nursery. It's less of a business and more of just some people doing what they love and selling a few plants on the side. There are plants growing EVERYWHERE including sometimes the paths...and the pots containing other plants (sweet, free bonus plants!). Prices are very reasonable although trees and some perennials are not as "reasonable" as I'd like them to be. Their farm stand is also a great idea and very reasonably priced as well. So, thanks for being awesome Spiral Gardens, keep it up

Love this nursery. Even though the selection may be somewhat limited, I always find interesting plants.

I like to support my neighbors whenever I can, so I stopped by this place one day on my way home from work and had a look. It's a bit of a mess, plants everywhere. I loved it. The prices are higher than most of the places I shop (Berkeley Hort., Yabusaki's, EB Nursery, OSH), and sometimes I have to search for someone to take my money, but I do enjoy spending an hour just poking into all the nooks and crannies to see what's growing there.

Spiral Gardens is my new favorite place. They have a community garden that is part of a food security project (you can't have your own plot, but they do take volunteers), a farm stand (not everyday I think), and a nursery. Everything is propagated on site and is meant to grow well in this climate. They have mostly fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs, and the staff are very knowledgeable about what you can grown in a pot, what you can't, etc. I recently bought 3 herbs, 3 second hand pots, and the most enormous bag of potting soil I have ever seen for $15. On the down side, its only open a few days a week. They have a website with their hours and more info about the project. Overall, I highly recommend supporting this place!

so, I was a bit overenthused, perhaps, in my first review. BUT, I still give 5 stars! The plants suffered a bit (very warm weather this year) throughout the summer... and their prices are not the cheapest. But let's be real, a few bucks on the same plant, from the same grower? When it's for such a good place, such a good cause? I am still, so, so happy to go to this place...

So many varieties of edible garden material. I first met the owner at the Berkeley Farmers' Market. He was soooo nice and patient with me and my family even though we arrived just as they were closing. Of course I had to go back for more. The owner is so patient and kind. There are many varieties of edible veggies for you to choose from, and if you're unsure of how to plant your new green friend, just ask!

Helpful, friendly staff and an amazing, fun variety of plants! The selection is helpfully organized so that it is easy to find what you are searching for. Very reasonable prices, parking is easy on the street.

I was here for a class today for the first time since 2016 or so. So excited to see how much progress has been made here. Informative class. Lovely community garden. Great asset to the community! Thank you for what you do!

Great little place. Found some strong tomatos for $2.50 each and a bunch more. Very friendly bunch and comfortable place to just wander.

Love this community nursery. Helpful, friendly staff. Such a great mission/cause. Awesome selection and prices. Lots of thriving mature plants to learn about. Wish I lived closer to it!

Fantastic! So, this place is way more than a nursery or a produce stand. It's a revolution! Otherwise known as a community food security program. From the website, it's mission is " to create healthy sustainable communities by promoting a strong local food system and encouraging productive use of urban soil" So, they have a ton of fruit trees, grape vines, strawberry plants, veggie starts, etc here. All I wanted and more! All the plants are edible, medicinal, native, beneficial, in some way useful plants. It's not about "gardening for pretty." Not that this isn't pretty, it is just MUCH MORE! This place is about gardening as a way to change our world for the better. The prices were a bit higher than I'd normally do, but when I looked at what they do here, I'm in! They do community education, provide produce to the next door senior housing complex, will pick excess fruits from others gardens to distribute to those in need. All in all, this place rocks! Check this out! http://www.spiralgardens.org/

Love it! I love Berkeley Bowl and the big farmer's market at GrandLake, but Spiral is my #1 choice for affordable organic produce. Organic carrots should always be hawked for two bucks by the side of the road! What can I say- both BB and Grand Lake are cool, but packed with folks, and not always the cheapest. Spiral is much less about expensive lavender honey truffles and more about making organic greens, l eggs, butter and fresh strawberries affordable to the folks. Wandering through their nursery is lovely- kids play hide and seek and you want to do the same. Big ups to having such an active urban farm where youth can learn how to grow food and rebuild soil.

I love getting plants at spiral gardens- I feel good supporting a place in my neighborhood that is trying to make healthy food more accessible. The plant prices are very reasonable, comparable to Orchard, but they have some varieties you won't find in the box stores.

Great advice, friendly people and a central location. Dan , Lisa and the whole team have great prices, a good variety and are my local farming heroes. Spiral gardens is part of the food security project and emphasizes local food production and helping less fortunate folks learn how to grow food for themselves. What a great and timeless concept. Berkeley needs more great pioneers like them. Go support!

Spiral Gardens is a labor of love and a great place to get plants and affordable produce cheap. Dan Miller, founder of Spiral Gardens, has been building community gardens since way before it was hip. He is incredibly knowledgeable about permaculture and organic gardening. His mission has everything to do with building community and nothing to do with building profits. The Tuesday evening produce stand is just one example -- the produce is Farmers' Market grade, only it is purchased at cost and sold by volunteers. If you live in South Berkeley, definitely check it out.

love love love this place. the prices are much better than all the other local gardening shops i've been to, and it was the cheapest soil i've found. just a great community vibe. open tues, wed, sat "for sure" and sometimes on sunday if they feel like it. also have a produce stand every tuesday afternoon until 7pm.

I stopped by for the first time finally. To be honest I didn't know what to expect and didn't have high expectations at that. Wrong. Nice plants, good selection, healthy, vigorous, and reasonably priced. My advice would be to continue on the path of clearly labelled and priced plants that was on the street side. It's a retail turn off to be faced with a table full of messy plants that aren't labelled or priced or are overpriced. Let's be honest, shopping is usually an impulse buy behavior. Retail psychology 101. Also, I think the front area along the street needs to be cleaned up. Right now it's just a mess of bushes that hides the nursery.

This is my go-to place for edible plants! Everything sold here will thrive in the East Bay! From sungold cherry tomatoes, to currant or blueberry bushes, and dwarf Meyer lemon trees-- everything is healthy and affordable! Dan is very knowledgeable and helpful if you have any garden issues.