Mario Bautista
LIVE OAK
Seed swap at the evening garden exchange
Join the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange for its Seed Swap Celebration this October, the perfect time to sow wildflowers. Discover a variety of wildflower seeds and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts to share tips and inspiration at the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Park in the northern rows of the parking lot away from the building. As the cooler weather sets in, it’s an ideal moment to prepare your garden for a vibrant spring bloom. Let’s cultivate beauty together. Gardeners are welcome to bring seeds, bulbs, succulents, houseplants, veggies, fresh flowers, informational material or any garden-related items to trade within the garden community. You do not need to bring something in order to participate and you must take back anything not given out.
For questions, call 831-515-7162 or email, santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.
APTOS
Into the Garden Fall plant sale & swap
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get free and bargain-priced plants and accessories for your garden at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Aptos Grange 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Members have been industriously dividing their perennials, potting up seedlings and extra plants, collecting seeds, bagging bulbs, gleaning surplus harvest, thinning tool and décor collections — all to make this trade and sale event a rich and rewarding experience. Choose from a limitless variety of plants, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, seeds, small trees, tools, pots, vases, planters, books, magazines, knickknacks and anything/everything garden related. If you don’t have plants to trade, you can buy stuff at ridiculously low prices. You are sure to discover something new to try.
Visit thegardenersclub.org for information.
SANTA CRUZ
Community Center Garden Club is digging in
Do you have a green thumb? Or want to learn basic gardening techniques? Check out the London Nelson Community Center Garden Club at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday in the garden at 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. All skills levels and ages are welcome to join the London Nelson Garden Club. Projects include a pollinator and butterfly garden and utilizing worm and composting bins.
Call 831-420-6180 to learn more or stop by and check it out. Led by local gardener Tom Fordham.
SANTA CRUZ
Shared Adventures Garden Club held weekly
Come get your hands dirty, your heart happy, and your mind clear, gardening is therapeutic. From 11 a.m. to noon every Thursday Shared Adventures Gardening Club meets at Common Roots Farm, 301 Golf Club Drive, Santa Cruz. There are raised ADA garden beds to work in and ADA paths as well. Show up, sign in and help out. It’s a fun atmosphere and adaptable to all abilities.
Email sharedactivities@yahoo.com for information.
WATSONVILLE
Learn regenerative soil techniques for the home gardener
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties will present a free workshop to learn regenerative soil techniques that you can add to your gardening bag of tricks 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Monterey County Cooperative Extension, 1432 Abbott St., Salinas. Learn regenerative soil techniques for the home gardener. Growing healthy soil helps the home gardener grow vibrant veggies and herbs, bountiful fruit trees and gorgeous flowers. We will summarize what makes a soil regenerative, and demonstrate proven techniques such as cover cropping, vermicomposting, lasagna beds and straw bale gardening. This class will be held outdoors. Class size is limited.
The workshop is free, but donations are appreciated. Visit mbmg.ucanr.edu to register.
SOQUEL
Plant Sale and Pumpkin Patch at Cabrillo College
Check out the Cabrillo College Horticulture Plant Sale and Pumpkin Patch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 featuring student-grown plants, you-pick pumpkin patch, and hydroponic greenhouse tours. Come enjoy the beautiful plants and vista point at the top of the hill. Student discounts available with ID cards. Shuttle rides available for overflow parking. Cash and check only. No dogs are allowed in the food production facility.
Go to https://cruzcnps.org/ for information.
SANTA CRUZ
Mark your calendars, it’s time to celebrate apples
Join the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Wilder Ranch State Park in celebrating the season with the annual apple tasting. If you’ve always wanted to know what apples grow well in our area and want to taste what freshly picked apples taste like, this event is for you. Bring your family and friends. Apple tasting will be held during the Heritage Harvest Festival at Wilder Ranch State Park.
Step back in time at the Wilder Ranch State Park Harvest Festival. Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more. Taste history during the apple tasting hosted by the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers. This event is free to members of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers; there is a $5 fee for non-members ($8 for couples and $10 for families).
Visit http://mbcrfg.org/events/list/ for information.
The Garden Digest is compiled by Jesselyn Rego. To submit items for the calendar including events, meetings, resources, or anything garden related, email sentinelhomeandgarden@gmail.com.
