LIVE OAK
Saturday garden exchange, member garden tours
Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8-9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.
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 Kim, who will be passing out the tour address. Bring plants, cuttings, seeds or just yourself to swap and connect. Then just before 9 a.m., head over to the first garden tour of the day.
If you would like to host a workshop, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Fresh apricots available at Birdsong Orchards, Cabrillo Cottage Farms
Organically farmed Blenheim and Moorpark apricots are now available from Birdsong Orchards for $3 per pound. Known for their sweet, aromatic flavor, Blenheim and Moorpark apricots are ideal for fresh eating, baking, jam making and preserving.
The tree-ripened fruit will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at Birdsong Orchards, 613 Lakeview Road, Watsonville, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cabrillo Cottage Farms, 4461 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. Pickup may also be arranged throughout the week at Birdsong Orchards.
To place an order or arrange pickup, text Jen at 831-247-9703.
APTOS
Herbal skincare workshop planned at Cabrillo Cottage Farms
Sweet Herb Medicinals will host a hands-on herbal skincare workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 12, at Cabrillo Cottage Farms at 4461 Porter Gulch Road.
Led by herbalist Bridget Giuffrida of Sweet Herb Medicinals in Boulder Creek, participants will make and take home a handcrafted hand and body crème, and create fresh rose flower water, or hydrosol, using seasonal blooms. Recipes and instructions will be provided so attendees can recreate the products at home.
Following the class, guests may enjoy you-pick roses, optional bouquet-making and learn more about flower memberships offered at the farm. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. For information or to register, visit sweetherbmedicinals.com or call 408-529-7949.
SANTA CRUZ
Trescony Community Garden restoration seeks volunteers
Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation and Santa Cruz Community Gardens will host a volunteer workday from 4 to 7 p.m. July 14, at Trescony Community Garden in Trescony Park.
Volunteers will help remove invasive Bermuda grass and replant native ground covers as part of an ongoing effort to restore and improve the community garden. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty while supporting a local green space. The project is supported in partnership with OLLI at UC Santa Cruz.
For information or to RSVP, call 831-325-4010 or email kgorman@santacruzca.gov.
APTOS
Gardeners invited to plant identification workshop and lecture
The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will host a public program, Beautiful Local and Non-local California Native Plants for Your Garden: With Thoughts About the Role of Gardens and Assisted Migration, Aug. 10, at the Cabrillo College Horticulture Center on the main Aptos campus at 6500 Soquel Drive. A plant identification workshop begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the meeting and presentation at 7 p.m.
Bart O’Brien, director of the Tilden Regional Parks Botanic Garden and co-author of “California Native Plants for the Garden,” will discuss native plants suitable for home landscapes and explore the role of gardens in a changing climate. O’Brien is widely recognized for his extensive knowledge and advocacy for California native plants.
The event is open to the public. For more information, visit the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society at chapters.cnps.org/santacruz.
SANTA CRUZ
Master Gardeners to present seed-starting workshop
UC Master Gardeners of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties will host the Amazing Seeds workshop Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the community room at the Santa Cruz Downtown Library at 224 Church St. This is a free event.
The workshop will explore how seeds germinate and grow, while teaching practical seed-starting techniques gardeners can use at home. Participants will learn how to give seedlings a strong start and gain confidence growing plants from seed. The program is designed for both new and experienced gardeners interested in improving their gardening success.
For information, visit ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-monterey-santa-cruz-counties/event/amazing-seeds.
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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