SANTA CRUZ
Advanced Backyard Composting Symposium
Sign up for Basic Composting from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 30, held outdoors in the gardens and orchard at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. Basic Composting will discuss the principles of composting kitchen and yard waste using backyard bins and vermicomposting (worm composting) techniques. You will learn how composting will improve your soil and enhance the health of your plants and vegetables. Composting also reduces organic waste going to the landfill, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions and slowing climate change. Virtual and in-person workshops are led by a certified master composter and sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Public Works Department.
The event is free. Space is limited at these popular workshops, reservation required. Call 831-824-6484 or sign up online at goo.gl/Fw6BaK. After submitting your request, you will be notified if you are accepted in the workshop.
SANTA CRUZ
Dress warm for early morning garden exchange
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. Park in the northern rows of the parking lot away from the building. Gardeners are welcome to bring seeds, bulbs, succulents, houseplants, veggies, fresh flowers, informational material, manure 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. The Santa Cruz Garden Exchange season of Garden Tours has ended, thank you to everyone that participated, volunteered and contributed. Evening exchanges have ended and will resume in the spring. Winter workshops are coming soon. See you at the exchange, don’t forget your mug. For questions, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.
WATSONVILLE
Wreath making before holidays
Nothing sings of the holidays like making a seasonal wreath to decorate your space. Birdsong Orchard is hosting a hands-on workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday on the farm at 613 Lakeview Road, where you can make your own wreath to take home. The multi-talented Jessica Tunis will be leading this workshop, and owner Nadine Schaffer will be there for backup help as well.
For beginners who have never made a wreath before, Tunis will guide you through the basic techniques of wreath making and help you craft a unique design. For more experienced wreath makers, please enjoy an opportunity to try a different design and work with new plants, textures and colors. All the materials you will need will be hand gathered, foraging extensively from Birdsong Orchard and Tunis’ mountain forest homestead.
Suitable for ages 16 and up. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, bring a water bottle and your favorite garden snippers or clippers if you have them. To keep things intimate, this workshop is limited to 25 people.
Space is limited, reserve tickets here birdsongorchards.com/products/holiday-wreath-making-workshop-november-24th.
CAPITOLA
Housing Matters holds weekly outreach
The Housing Matters Outreach Team will be available from 1-4 p.m. every Tuesday in the Barbara Gorson Multipurpose Room at the Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Road. The team provides support for families and individuals experiencing homelessness to help them access resources, navigate housing and meet with Housing Matters representatives. This is a drop-in service; first come, first served.
For more information about this outreach visit santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12691252. For more information about Housing Matters call 831-458-6020, contact@housingmatterssc.org or visit housingmatterssc.org.
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.