LIVE OAK
Early morning garden exchange and more
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday (fourth 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 2026 Garden Tour sign-ups are open. Nine 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. Saturday 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.
SANTA CRUZ
March is Hummingbird Month at UCSC botanical garden
This time of year, the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden hosts both Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, the two most common species in Northern California. In celebration of this special time of year, you are invited to visit the garden as much as possible! There will be presentations, workshops and tours throughout the month.
“The density of hummingbirds, the number per area in the Arboretum, is ridiculously high,” said Bruce Lyon, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC. “You can watch them feeding on flowers, you can watch their courtship, you can watch them chasing different species. It’s a great opportunity to see some pretty amazing hummingbird biology.” See arboretum.ucsc.edu/visit/events for a schedule of activities and information about hummingbirds as well as the abundance of plants at the arboretum that attract them.
The arboretum will also feature hummingbird merchandise and hummingbird-attracting plants at the gift shop and nursery. Visit Norrie’s Gift and Garden Shop, Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, visit arboretum.ucsc.edu/garden-shop.
All events are free with paid admission: Adults $10, seniors $8 and youth 4-17 $5. Rain cancels outdoor activities. Current members are always free and enjoy other great benefits year-round. Join today at arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/join-us.
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz Beekeepers Guild to host March meeting
The Santa Cruz Beekeepers Guild will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. March 4 at El Rio Mobile Home Park, 2120 N. Pacific Ave. The meeting will focus on beekeeping gear and what first-time beekeepers need to get started, as well as spring preparation for seasoned beekeepers. Those who already have bees — and those who don’t yet — are invited to learn from experienced local beekeepers about equipment, prevention strategies and seasonal planning.
The evening will include hands-on access to hive gear, open forum discussions on managing fast- and slow-growing hives in the spring and a guest presentation on homemade swarm lures for attracting spring swarms. Attendees interested in ordering bees are encouraged to stay for additional information. The meeting is open to members and guests interested in beekeeping.
Parking reminder: Do not park inside the mobile home park. Guests are asked to park outside the community and be mindful of residents when leaving. Please keep voices down and pay the meter if parking on the street. If parking in the Lenz Arts lot, do not block vehicles or park along the chain-link fence. Staff park behind the building until 7 p.m. and must exit through the gate near the fence.
RSVP at santacruzbees.com/events.
APTOS
CNPS Santa Cruz to host Spring Native Plant Sale
The California Native Plant Society, Santa Cruz County Chapter, will host its Spring Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 11 at Cabrillo College Horticulture, located at the Horticulture Center on Sanders Avenue at the top of the hill on campus.
The sale will feature a wide selection of California native plants suitable for local gardens. A list of available plants will be posted online before the event. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early, as plants often sell out. The event is held jointly with Cabrillo Horticulture. A shuttle will be available for transportation to the sale location.
Parking reminder: Visitors are asked to park in lower campus lots and take the shuttle or walk to the site so vendors can use the limited parking available near the horticulture area. Information is available at chapters.cnps.org/santacruz.
APTOS
Master Gardeners to present drought tolerance workshop
The UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties will present “Drought Tolerance: The Myth & the Science” at 9:30 a.m. March 14, at Cabrillo College Horticulture, Room 5005, at Sanders Avenue.
In recent years, more nursery plant tags have included the term “drought tolerant.” The workshop will explore what that designation truly means and examine how plants adapt to survive with limited water. The program includes a 45-minute lecture followed by hands-on learning activities in the Cabrillo Horticulture gardens.
The class is part of the Home Gardener Days series, presented in collaboration with Cabrillo College Horticulture and led by instructor Nicky Hughes. The event is open to the public, and participants of all experience levels are welcome. More information is available at mbmg.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.
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