SANTA CRUZ
Summer u-pick berry dates posted
Pick organic strawberries and blueberries this summer, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon on June 7, 21 and 28, at the UC Santa Cruz Farm, 1156 High St. With proceeds supporting the Center for Agroecology, containers will be sold at a flat rate. Payment requires a credit card and smartphone to scan a QR code.
Wearing layers is recommended, as well as a hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes you can comfortably move around in. Strawberry availability is subject to change depending on the volume of customers and other circumstances. Park in Lot 116 on the UC Santa Cruz campus or take public transportation. For directions to the farm, visit agroecology.ucsc.edu/visit/directions.html.
LIVE OAK
Evening Garden Exchange for the night owls
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 5 to 6 p.m. June 11 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 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.
SANTA CRUZ
Weekly Garden Club at the community center
Do you have a green thumb? Or do you 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. All skills levels and ages welcome to join. Projects include pollinator and butterfly garden, as well as utilizing worm and composting bins. Led by local gardener Tom Fordham and CJ. Community happens here.
Call 831-420-6180 to learn more or stop by and check it out.
LIVE OAK
Basic composting with certified master composter
Sign up for Basic Composting from 10 a.m. to noon June 14, held outdoors in the gardens and orchard at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. The class 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.
Space is limited at these popular workshops, and reservation is required. To sign up, call 831-824-6484 or online at goo.gl/Fw6BaK. After submitting your request, you will be notified if you are accepted in the workshop.
SANTA CRUZ
Housing Navigation Services offered weekly at library
Volunteer Housing Navigators provides housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Life Literacies Center located at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Downtown Branch, 224 Church St. For information, visit santacruzpl.libcal.com.
APTOS
Rare plat swap returns at a new location
The rare plant swap returns at 3 p.m. June 28 at a new location, Willowbrook County Park, 2950 Willowbrook Lane. This in-person buy, sell, trade and show event will spotlight rare and uncommon hoyas. Attendees are encouraged to bring plants, cuttings, corms, nodes and accessories like pots or soil additives — plus a bag for new finds.
No items are required to attend, but swaps and sales are limited to rare/uncommon varieties. There will also be raffle tickets available for $5. Connect with fellow Santa Cruz plant collectors. Contact any of the admins if you have any questions at fb.me/e/200FdwUXO.
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.