APTOS
Women in Horticulture program set for Saturday
The American Association of University Women will host “Growing Opportunities: Women in Horticulture” from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Drive. Sarah Patiño Hulick, faculty member and department chair of horticulture and agricultural plant sciences at Cabrillo College, will discuss the college’s horticulture program and its impact on students and the local community.
The program prepares students for careers in plant science, sustainable agriculture, crop production, landscape design and agri-tech. With hands-on training, associate degrees and certificates, including berry production and partnerships with local industry, the department equips students for high-demand roles in traditional and emerging agricultural fields. Hulick also will share insights on the progress of women in the traditionally male-dominated field of horticulture and agricultural science, exploring nontraditional career paths and the experiences of women pursuing these professions today.
Cabrillo’s horticulture facilities offer experiential learning opportunities in hydroponics, organic farming, greenhouse management and landscape design. Visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/15643674 for details.
SANTA CRUZ
Housing resources available at downtown library
Housing assistance and family reconnection services will be available from 1-3 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Branch Library, Life Literacies Center, 224 Church St. The Housing Matters outreach team will assist families and individuals experiencing homelessness with accessing resources, navigating housing options and meeting with Housing Matters representatives. The service is drop-in and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For information about Housing Matters, call 831-458-6020, email contact@housingmatterssc.org or visit housingmatterssc.org. Miracle Messages also will be on site to help individuals reconnect with family members and enroll in its phone buddy program. For details, visit miraclemessages.org.
LIVE OAK
Orchid Society meets this week, second Friday
The Santa Cruz Orchid Society’s next meeting starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. During February’s program, the group will view an American Orchid Society webinar, “Growing Specimen Plants with Sandra Svoboda.” Svoboda, American Orchid Society past president and judge, will explore the latest society award for culture, the Certificate of Cultural Excellence, and view the plants that earned this highest honor for their grower/owner. Gain tips on how to cultivate an orchid to specimen size.
Meetings are held the second Friday of every month at the Grange. Guests are welcome to attend. Meetings include a speaker presentation or panel discussion by an orchid expert(s), a show and tell table of blooming plants brought in by members who gladly share information on how they grow them and a chance to win an orchid from the opportunity table as well as light refreshments.
Check out santacruzorchidsociety.org for information.
SANTA CRUZ
Grafting workshop hosted at Live Oak Grange
Learn the art of grafting and go home with a tree of your own at a hands-on grafting workshop Feb. 21 at the Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., from 3-6 p.m. Participants will receive rootstock and graft a scion onto it to create an apple tree to take home. More details will be announced soon at mbcrfg.org/events.
CAPITOLA
Bonsai, cactus and succulents plant sale coming
The Monterey Bay Cactus and Succulent Society will be hosting a free weekend-long bonsai, cactus and succulents plant show and sale, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., all at the Capitola Mall in the former Sears location.
The event features 10,000 square feet of plants, pottery and horticulture supplies, wide aisles, two dozen specialty cactus and succulent vendors, handmade pottery, a plant hotel, specimen plant displays, expert advice, live demonstrations and conservation information. There will also be planting and re-potting demonstrations as well as a help desk to answer questions on how to take care of plants throughout the show and sale.
Guests are encouraged to bring a box for purchases or use one provided, and may pay by card, tap or cash. Coupons are accepted, and visitors can join the mailing list to receive one for a future sale. The plant hotel allows shoppers to store plants while enjoying the show. Saturday morning is typically the busiest; Sunday and Saturday afternoon tend to be less crowded.
Volunteer sign-up is open, and attendees can join as members for early entry. There will be free and accessible parking. Members may skip entry lines all weekend. Proceeds support the Monterey Bay Area Cactus and Succulent Society’s education and conservation programs. Visit mbsucculent.org/meetings 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.
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