WATSONVILLE

Summer Fruit Tasting and Farm Tours

Birdsong Orchards has an abundance of tasty fruits right now and wants you to taste them all. Farm tours with fruit tastings will be held on Sunday. Walk the orchard with Nadine at 613 Lakeview Road, Watsonville. Talk a bit about fruit tree health and care. And most deliciously, taste a bunch of fruit, straight from the trees into your mouth. Each $30 ticket includes 5 pounds of fruit to take home as well. Suitable for ages 10 and up. Limited to 25 people. Please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle. We will walk 1-2 miles total on a gentle slope.

Visit birdsongorchards.com/products/fruit-tasting-farm-tour-sept-15th to reserve your spot.

APTOS

Join Cabrillo College Horticulture Volunteer Day

The Cabrillo College Horticulture Department will put a spotlight on its volunteer opportunities at an event from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday in Room 5005 at the Horticulture Center. Use the address 10 Sanders Ave., Aptos and park in the student parking lot. Learn from permaculture instructor and Terranova Ecological Landscaping owner Ken Foster about how sheet mulching is a water wise and sustainable way to manage weeds in our Mediterranean climate and then put your new knowledge into practice. Volunteers must be 18 or older and no pets are allowed. You do not need to sign up but plan to come to the entire event as it will be hard to catch anyone who may miss the lecture part.

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

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.

Pop Up Plant Sale Sunday

Get ready to green up your garden at The Rego Ranch from 9-11 a.m. Sunday. Explore a selection of healthy plants including cucumbers, kale, sunflowers, and broccoli, along with other varieties. Cash and Venmo payments are accepted. Don’t miss this opportunity to grab a little something for your fall garden.

For more details, contact us at 831-515-7162.

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.