WATSONVILLE
Free rose pruning class
The Monterey Bay Rose Society’s 2026 rose pruning classes begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Alladin Nursery and Gift Shop, 2905 Freedom Blvd. The rose pruning classes are taught by American Rose Society master rosarians and consulting rosarians. They will share the latest in pruning techniques, growing and caring advice, and answer your rose care questions. The event is free and the public is invited. Reservations are not required. For information, contact Janey at 831-722-7958.
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 Saturday 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.
LIVE OAK
For the love of plants, garden exchange and more
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchanges from 8 to 9 a.m. Feb. 28 (fourth Saturdays) or from 5 to 6 p.m. (second Wednesdays) 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 2026 Garden Tour sign-ups are open. Six garden tours are scheduled from April through September. October is open for anyone interested in booking a fall tour. There are also multiple openings for those who would like to host an 8:30 a.m. workshop.
Neighborly reminder, there’s a new baker in town. Lauren’s Sourdough Kitchen is now baking small-batch, naturally leavened sourdough in Live Oak, with weekly orders available via Instagram @laurenssourdoughkitchen. Catch her at the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8-9 a.m. Feb. 28. at the Live Oak Grange for fresh samples. Bring a mug, swap some plants and try a bite.
To participate in the garden tour line up, or if you would like to host a workshop, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.
LIVE OAK
Basic composting class with certified master composter
Sign up for a Basic Composting workshop Saturday from 1-3 p.m., 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. 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; advance reservation is 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.
APTOS
Pollinator-friendly gardening
Join UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Cabrillo College Horticulture Center, 6500 Soquel Drive, for the next class in their Home Gardener Days series, presented in collaboration with Cabrillo Horticulture.
Master gardener Claire Witherspoon will share specific plants and planting strategies to help create a more pollinator-friendly garden for native bees and other local pollinators. The class includes a 45-minute lecture followed by hands-on learning activities in the Cabrillo Horticulture gardens. Register at tinyurl.com/5ddncd5w.
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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