Business Details
17 Years
experience
Organic Gardening Kits & Supplies for Home Growers
Founded in 2009, Back to the Roots began as an urban mushroom farm in Oakland, CA, and has grown into America's leading organic gardening company. Our mission is to reconnect families with the origins of their food through accessible, sustainable gardening solutions. With over 15 years of experience, we offer award-winning products like organic mushroom grow kits, heirloom seeds, and peat-free soils, designed for both novice and experienced gardeners. Our team of certified horticulturists and educators ensures every product meets rigorous quality standards while promoting environmental stewardship.We maintain industry leadership through innovative, science-backed growing systems and a commitment to customer education. Our #GrowOneGiveOne initiative donates gardening kits to schools, reinforcing our dedication to community impact. With 10,000+ retail partners nationwide and 4,200+ verified customer reviews, we combine expertise with approachability to make home gardening effortless for all.
Services
Mushroom Grow Kits
Raised Bed Soils
Seed Starting Mixes
Hydroponic Systems
Terrarium Kits
Organic Plant Food
Garden Compost
STEM Curriculum
Seedling Starter Packs
Gardening Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of expertise in organic gardening solutions
- Our products feature patented, sustainable growing technologies
- Award-winning mushroom grow kits with 4.8+ average customer ratings
- Comprehensive STEM-aligned educational resources included with all kits
- We operate the largest #GrowOneGiveOne gardening donation program nationwide
What people say
Easy to grow
Fast mushroom growth
Excellent STEM tool
High quality soil
Great customer support
Services
Organic Mushroom Grow Kit
Our patented mushroom grow kits use organic coffee grounds to produce harvestable mushrooms in 10-14 days. Perfect for beginners, these self-contained systems require only light and water. Each kit includes detailed growing instructions and guarantees successful cultivation for both home and classroom use.
Raised Bed Soil Mix
Premium organic soil blends specifically formulated for raised bed gardening. These nutrient-rich mixes combine compost, peat alternatives, and mineral amendments to optimize plant growth. Available in multiple bag sizes and bulk delivery options for large-scale gardening projects.
Hydroponic Water Garden
Self-sustaining hydroponic ecosystem that grows leafy greens and supports aquatic life simultaneously. This closed-loop system uses fish waste as natural fertilizer while plants filter the water. Ideal for year-round indoor gardening with minimal maintenance requirements.
STEM Curriculum
Standards-aligned science curriculum integrating hands-on gardening with classroom learning. Designed for grades K-12, these resources cover biology, ecology, and sustainability through practical growing experiments and interactive lesson plans.
Terrarium Kids Kit
Child-friendly gardening kit introducing basic botany concepts through interactive play. Includes all necessary components for building a self-contained ecosystem, with age-appropriate instructions that promote responsibility and environmental awareness through hands-on plant care experiences.
People
Nikhil Arora
Co-Founder
Co-founded Back to the Roots after discovering mushroom cultivation on coffee grounds during college. Leads product development and sustainability initiatives with 15+ years in organic agriculture innovation.
Alejandro Velez
Co-Founder
Started the company while in college, transforming a business ethics class idea into a national gardening brand. Oversees operations and community outreach programs focused on urban agriculture education.
Questions
How do I start growing mushrooms at home?
Our mushroom kits require only light and water. Simply open the bag, mist daily, and harvest in 10-14 days using included instructions.
Are your soil products organic certified?
Yes, all our soil mixes carry USDA Organic certification and contain no synthetic chemicals or peat moss.
Do you offer educational resources for schools?
We provide free STEM curriculum and classroom gardening guides with all educational kits purchased through our website.
What is the #GrowOneGiveOne program?
For every product purchased, we donate a gardening kit to a school. Share your growing experience on social media to select recipient classrooms.
Can I return unused gardening kits?
Unopened products may be returned within 30 days. Live cultures and perishable items cannot be returned once activated.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently we only ship within the continental United States through our partnered retailers and direct fulfillment centers.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Lee Cody Jones
Nov 08, 2021
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Very easy self grow mushroom kit. After one day of soaking, all it takes is two mist sessions per day and watch them bloom
Elizabeth Falkenberg
Oct 10, 2021
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We bought this for a school project and when we opened the box mushroom we’re already growing out of holes in the bag. Who knows where the moisture came from and where it has been sitting before I bought it. I… was told that it was normal but when I buy a kit to grow mushrooms I don’t expect for them to be already growing out of the bag from holes that came from unknown origins.
Britt Ainy
Jul 23, 2021
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We had so much fun and can’t wait to see our microgreens sprout! Awesome lesson and activity for my 5yr old
Eve Marie Egan
May 17, 2021
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My first go round didn’t go so well, and through excellent customer service, I got a chance to try again. This here is my third harvest, and it doesn’t look like it’s even done! Big, big fan. Plus it’s fun for… someone who has a black thumb like I do to be able to do this! I’m a chef, so it was always kind of a secret shame that I kill plants. Triumph!
