The Gamez Family Garden
Written by: Bo Firestone
Formatting by: Sarah Tang
I recently visited my friends Matt and Sarah’s Bay Area home with professional photographer Sarah Tony to take photos of their beautiful California Cottage Garden. Matt, the head gardener, lives there with his wife Sarah and their kids, Zelo and Dasha, as well as their chickens.
Matt and Sarah, both from the Bay Area, have a shared fondness for the outdoors. Matt’s love for gardening and Sarah’s appreciation for nature shine through in their garden’s lively and creative space.
(To check out more of Sara Toney's work, visit: saratoneyphoto.com)
What's Growing!
In addition to flowering plants like sunflowers, the Gamez Garden boasts a variety of edibles! There are pumpkins, which add a fun seasonal touch to the space.
For greens, they grow Malabar spinach, which thrives in warm weather and climbs upward like a vine, unlike common spinach that stays low with tender leaves. Corn grows well in their raised garden bed, and strawberries are planted in pots, with healthy leaves showing promise of soon-to-come juicy berries. This year, the family is trying out Cuban oregano. Sarah enjoys their super soft leaves which adds a nice texture to the garden.
Favorite Heirloom Tomatoes
Heirloom tomatoes are started from seed and supported with a single-stake method, allowing them to grow many varieties in a small space. Here are some of their favorite varieties:
'Brazilian Beauty'
'Zapotec Pink Ribbed'
'Chernobyl'
'Sart Roloise'
'Northern Lights'
'Pork Chop'
To support local wildlife, there are shelters such as a birdhouse feeder, mason bee house, ladybug house, and even a bat house!– all contributing to a thriving ecosystem.
 The garden also includes utilitarian features like a chicken coop, as well as compost tea to nourish the soil. | |
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The Hands Behind the Gamez Garden
About thirteen years ago, the Gamez family decided to remodel their backyard. Sarah suggested adding planter boxes, and though Matt was initially hesitant, he soon found the guidance he needed.
They connected with Start Organic, a vegetable gardening service based in San Jose, which guided them through building planter boxes and irrigation systems while teaching them the fundamentals of soil health and growing food.
That first year sparked a passion. Matt’s kids joined in, turning gardening into a family project. They saved seeds, tried new varieties, and even built an indoor grow room. Mistakes were part of the journey, but the rewards– fresh harvests and shared moments– made it worthwhile.
Over time, Matt learned the rhythm of nature and the science behind it. Their garden became a self-sustaining ecosystem: composting plants, saving seeds, and adding chickens, whose eggs, manure, and feathers enriched the soil. Now, they make their own soil and no longer rely on store-bought supplies. Matt also shared his passion by teaching gardening classes at his children’s school. One memorable experience involved donating 25–30 heirloom tomato plants they had started from seed, giving the students the hands-on experience of planting them themselves.
These days, Matt can’t stay away from the garden. Weekends are spent tending to plants, and he loves seeing his family out there– whether helping, relaxing, or simply enjoying the space. Gardening taught him patience, connection, and the simple joy of growing life. For Matt, it’s more than a hobby; it’s become a way of living.
Resources
Check out Sarah's Instagram @YogaMovementArt
Visit Matt's Favorite gardening channel @MIgardener
Learn gardening basics with Start Organic
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What I think truly makes this garden so special are their chickens and the wildlife-friendly design, all tied together with personal touches that make it feel like an extension of their home. It’s a space where the whole family can gather, relax, and enjoy time together.
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