Bee guild presents guest speaker Tom Seeley

Join the Santa Cruz Bee Guild for an hour with guest speaker Tom Seeley from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at El Rio Mobile Home Park, 2120 N. Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Seeley is a professor of biology at Cornell University, beekeeper and author of “Honey Bee Democracy,” “The Lives of Bees” and other books. Seeley will cover how a honey bee swarm chooses its home. For information, visit santacruzbees.com.

Parking instructions: Parking inside El Rio Mobile Home Park is prohibited. Use the Lenz Arts lot, but avoid the ivy wall/gate with “no parking” signs for after-hours staff access. Metered street parking is available. To reserve a spot for the talk, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.

Local library hosts free gardening class

Free gardening classes will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Boulder Creek Library Meeting Room, 13390 W. Park Ave., Boulder Creek. Classes will be taught by Jean (Jet) Van Ausdall, a local landscape designer and consultant. This class is sponsored by The Friends of the Boulder Creek Library. You will receive a 7-8 page hand-out for each class. The first class will cover basics in soil type, pH balance, planting, pruning, weed control, feeding and more. This class will introduce concepts that help design your garden by finding the right location, and when and how to plant.

This event is sponsored by the Boulder Creek Friends chapter. To RSVP, text 408-618-9847.

All about roses spring workshop set for March 9

A spring roses workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon March 9 at Birdsong Orchard, 611 Lakeview Road, Watsonville. Learn all about planting, pruning, and growing roses as well as cutting roses for bouquets. All guests will take home a potted rose plant from some of our favorite varieties.

This workshop will start with a brief overview discussing sourcing and growing roses in your own home garden. Next, you will take a tour of the 1,000-plus roses growing in the field and greenhouse to see different varieties in their full glory and different stages of plant maturity. You will review planting, pruning, feeding, protecting and treating roses for common diseases and pests. Ending the workshop with a gathering to discuss and choose the best varieties for each participant to take home.

Nadine Schaeffer is co-owner of Birdsong Orchards, an organic fruit and flower farm where this workshop will take place. After 20 years working as a software designer, Nadine has returned to her farming roots and works to improve the environment and nutrition of her community. Birdsong Orchards raises over 200 varieties of fruit trees, perennial and annual cut flowers, and a small herd of dairy goats, llamas and one alpaca.

This workshop is intended for those ages 16 and older. Participants should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle and sun hat. To sign up, visit birdsongorchards.com.

Santa Cruz Garden hosts evening exchange

Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 5-6 p.m. March 13 in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Please park in the northern rows of the parking lot away from the building. Spring is on the way and the days are getting longer. What does that mean? Evening exchanges are back, starting Wednesday, Gardeners are welcome to bring seeds, bulbs, succulents, houseplants, veggies, fresh flowers, informational material or any garden-related items to trade within the garden community. You do not need to bring something to participate and you must take back anything not given out. For questions, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.

Rare fruit presentation coming up

The Gardeners’ Club will have a free presentation on rare fruits that can be grown in our area by Nate Blackmore, a member of the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers. The presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 14 at the Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. The public is welcome.

For information, visit thegardenersclub.org or call 831-475-0991.

Vertebrate integrated pest management coming

Learn how integrated pest management strategies can be used to control specific pests from 10 a.m. to noon April 7 at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, 800 Quail Hollow Road, Felton.

Integrated pest management is a process you can use to solve pest problems in your garden while minimizing risks to people and the environment. Early spring is a time to focus on the most active vertebrate pests — gophers, birds and deer — who can do significant damage in a short period of time.

Join UC Master Gardeners Delise Weir and Trink Praxel to learn how integrated pest management strategies can be used to control these specific pests.

This class will include classroom time and hands-on activity to find gopher runs and set gopher traps. Since a portion of the class will be outside, a hat, sunscreen and layered clothing are advised.

To register, visit zeffy.com/tickets.

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.