WATSONVILLE

Books under the Boughs — Art in the Orchard

Book lovers, artists and fruit enthusiasts rejoice. This event is for you. Spend an afternoon reading your favorite book or sketching/painting/drawing at the farm from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Birdsong Orchards will provide each reservation with a box of fresh picked farm fruit (with the exception of peaches, plums, apricots). Bring your favorite book, art supplies, perhaps a friend, additional picnic foods, a blanket or portable chairs to lounge in. Set up a semi-private spot to enjoy anywhere in the orchard, flower field or in front of the livestock pasture. Bring your books, picnic supplies and beverages (but no glass please), a blanket, sheet or chairs, a water bottle and a sun hat.

Go to birdsongorchards.com to make reservations.

LIVE OAK

Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch coming

The annual Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch returns for one weekend only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 28-29 at 1900 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz. Beautiful handmade glass pumpkins, gourds and witches’ hats will be available in an array of colors, in all sizes, and for every budget. Everything is handcrafted in the Davenport glass blowing studio. No purchase is required — all are welcome to come enjoy the outside garden and beautiful glass. There will be plenty of free parking in the grange parking lot.

Visit chrisjohnsonglass.com/events for information.

SANTA CRUZ

Garden Club digging in on Wednesdays

Do you have a green thumb? Or do you want to learn basic gardening techniques? Check out the London Nelson Community Center Garden Club every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the garden at 301 Center St., Santa Cruz. All skills levels and ages welcome to join the London Nelson Garden Club. Projects include pollinator and butterfly garden, and utilizing worm and composting bins.

Call 831-420-6180 to learn more or stop by and check it out. Led by local gardener Tom Fordham & CJ.

SANTA CRUZ

Volunteer Opportunities at the UCSC Arboretum

Sign up to volunteer at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum. The Arboretum & Botanic Garden at UCSC has a wonderful community of garden enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels who are eager to welcome you. Volunteer groups meet weekday mornings to help weed and maintain the gardens. Opportunities are also available at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop with shifts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and or 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Scheduling is flexible and volunteering can begin anytime.

Email jnorvell@ucsc.edu for more information or visit arboretum.ucsc.edu/support/volunteer for an application.

BEN LOMOND

Native Plant Sale fundraiser to benefit SLV Teachers

The September Native Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at Highlands Park Senior and Community Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond. The event, hosted by San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program and The Valley Women’s Club of San Lorenzo Valley, features a diverse selection of plants from Central Coast Wilds, all specially selected for their resilience and ecological benefits. All proceeds from the sale will directly support environmental and art grants for San Lorenzo Valley teachers, helping to cultivate a brighter, more sustainable future for our children. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. Volunteers will have the opportunity to purchase any unsold plants at half-price when the sale ends. If you’ve got your eye on something special, you’re also welcome to buy full-price plants during the sale. If you’re interested in volunteering, you can sign up at vwcslv.ivolunteer.com/native-plant-sale-92824. The entire community is invited to come together to support these vital initiatives. Whether you choose to volunteer, make a purchase, or come to learn more, your involvement is crucial in creating a lasting impact.

Email info@slvhabitatrestoration.org for more information.

Shared Adventures Garden Club held weekly

Come get your hands dirty, your heart happy, and your mind clear, gardening is therapeutic. From 11 a.m. to noon every Thursday Shared Adventures Gardening Club meets at Common Roots Farm, 301 Golf Club Drive, Santa Cruz. There are raised ADA garden beds to work in and ADA paths as well. Show up, sign in and help out. It’s a fun atmosphere and adaptable to all abilities.

Email sharedactivities@yahoo.com for information.

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.