LIVE OAK
Morning garden exchange, garden tour
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8 to 9 a.m. May 23 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.
Santa Cruz Garden Exchange 2026 Garden Tours are happening now. Come to the Garden Exchange at 8 a.m., look for your host Leslie, who will be passing out the tour addresses. Bring plants, cuttings, seeds, or just yourself to swap and connect. Then just before 9 a.m., the group will head over to the first garden tour of the day.
To participate in the garden tour lineup, or if you would like to host a workshop, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.
SANTA CRUZ
Berry you-pick returns to UCSC Farm
Organic berry you-pick returns to the UC Santa Cruz Farm from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through June 6, while supplies last. Visitors can pick organic strawberries and blueberries grown at the campus farm. Blueberries are expected through June, while strawberries may continue into the summer season. You-pick will not be held June 13 due to UCSC commencement activities.
Free parking will be available in the Hay Barn lot and lots 115 and 116 during you-pick hours. Participants should walk to the blueberry plot to prepay and collect containers. The farm includes uneven and hilly terrain; accommodation requests may be emailed in advance.
Credit card payment is required via QR code checkout using a smartphone. For information, visit agroecology.ucsc.edu.
SANTA CRUZ
Volunteer workday planned at UCSC Farm
The UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology will host a volunteer workday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 23 at the UCSC Farm Community Herb Garden, 152 Farm Road.
Volunteers will help with pruning, mulching, weeding and hand tilling in the BIPOC-centered garden space focused on herbal medicine education. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sun protection and work gloves. Tools will be provided. Heavy rain will cancel the event.
Free parking is available in UCSC lots 168, 115 and 116. Organizers encourage biking, carpooling and public transit. RSVP at events.ucsc.edu/event/volunteer-workday-at-the-ucsc-farm.
WATSONVILLE
Portable edible garden workshop planned at Pinto Lake
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties will host “Portable Edible Garden: Grow Food in Small Spaces — Session 2” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Pinto Lake County Park Demonstration Garden, 757 Green Valley Road.
The hands-on workshop will teach participants how to grow food in small spaces using portable grow bag systems designed for patios, balconies and compact outdoor areas. Attendees will plant seasonal vegetables and herbs, learn basic garden care techniques and take home their completed edible garden.
All materials will be provided. Organizers say the program is intended to support community members with limited growing space, accessibility needs or interest in growing food for their households.
For more information, visit tinyurl.com/474ums3c.
SANTA CRUZ
History fair returns to London Nelson Center
Santa Cruz Public Libraries will host the annual Santa Cruz County History Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St.
The event brings together local historical organizations, museums and community groups dedicated to preserving and sharing Santa Cruz County history. Attendees can meet staff and volunteers, learn about local heritage projects and explore the county’s cultural and historical roots.
The History Fair has been held regularly since 2015 as a way to connect the community through local history and preservation efforts. For information, visit santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16225539.
APTOS
Disaster preparedness event
The Santa Cruz Long Term Recovery Group and CERT Auxiliary of Santa Cruz County will host a free Disaster Preparedness Event from 1-5 p.m. June 6 at Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive.
This is a family-friendly event featuring preparedness resources, community booths, workshops and activities focused on emergency readiness. Topics will include wildfire safety, smoke impacts, earthquakes, extreme heat, storms, flooding and power outages.
Presentations are scheduled from organizations including United Policyholders, the Resource Conservation District, Fire Safe Council HIZ, local MURS and Firewise groups, OR3 and Central Fire District.
The event is co-hosted by Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Community Emergency Response Team and the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group in partnership with local organizations.
Visit fb.me/e/4hX26HCgT?mibextid=wwXIfr for details.
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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