SANTA CRUZ
Sign up for mushroom identification classes
Local instructor Paul Miller will offer Saturday classes this season on mushroom identification and information in the Santa Cruz area, starting in December. Participants will learn how to identify local mushroom species and may take home edible samples to try. For information, email Miller at paulbug@yahoo.com.
WATSONVILLE
Birdsong Orchards open on Saturday
The fruit stand is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Birdsong Orchards, 613 Lakeview Road. Stop by for a beautiful day of fruit picking under the autumn sun. Pick your own apples, pineapple guavas, citrus and figs straight from the trees — fresh, organic and bursting with flavor. Check it out while it lasts. Stroll the orchard, enjoy the fall air and take home the sweetness of the season. The fruit stand will be open with apples, pears, persimmons, pineapple, guava and this week passionfruit.
Visit birdsongorchards.com for details, events and directions.
CAPITOLA
Free clothing swap to stay
Seconds store inside the Capitola Mall is now holding its free clothing swap indefinitely. The former bath bomb room is reserved for free clothing and shoes, and a food pantry. If you have any boxed, nonperishable food or clothing you don’t want, bring it down to Seconds. Do not donate overused/worn clothes, only gently worn items. Everyone is welcome to browse, take what they need and share in the spirit of community.
Call 831-515-7308 with questions.
APTOS
Garden tools TLC workshop on deck
Learn how to maintain new tools and bring neglected ones back to life at the Garden Tools TLC Workshop, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Cabrillo College Horticulture, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 5005. Participants will discuss rust prevention and removal, tool sharpening, proper cleaning and storage. Attendees are encouraged to bring a personal gardening hand tool in need of care.
Registration is encouraged but not required. Admission is free. Register at tinyurl.com/4f6zjshd.
BEN LOMOND
Free regenerative soil techniques class
The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties invite the community to a free outdoor class on regenerative soil techniques from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Mountain Feed and Farm Supply, 9550 Highway 9. The session will cover what makes soil regenerative and include demonstrations of methods such as cover cropping, vermicomposting, lasagna beds and straw bale gardening.
Space is limited. Register at tinyurl.com/3vpt9bzx.
WATSONVILLE
Hoshigaki-making workshop coming up
Birdsong Orchards is to host a hoshigaki-making workshop and persimmon walk and talk with Roxy Lo and Jen Meltzer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22, at Birdsong Orchards, 613 Lakeview Road. Lo has been sharing the process of making hoshigaki (“hoshi” is Japanese for “dried” and “kaki” for “persimmon”) for the past five years with Birdsong Orchards. She will present a hands-on demo that teaches the basics of care, troubleshooting and expectations of making this specialty food that serves as a fun and tasty way to enjoy persimmons through the year. Join her in processing your own fruits so you can try this at home.
Workshop attendees will enjoy a walk up to the glorious row of persimmons and hear about the different types that are grown there from Meltzer. You will harvest our persimmons and then walk down to learn about the ancient meditative art that yields the precious delicacy of hoshigaki.
Participants will go home with a few prepared hoshigaki ready to dry and a bag of persimmons for making more. Sturdy closed toed shoes and a water bottle are recommended. You will walk about a half a mile at a gentle slope. Refreshments will be served. No pets, please. Cost is $60 per person 13 and up, limited to 24 participants.
To register, visit tinyurl.com/j2tvc532.
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.
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