WATSONVILLE

Summer u-pick roses, by the bucket

Birdsong Orchard, located at 613 Lakeview Road, has grown over 500 deeply fragrant and lush roses in every color, and they want to share them with you. Get out of the house and enjoy cutting a bucket of roses for your own pleasure or to share with family and friends.

Hybrid tea roses, floribundas, grandifloras, David Austin, Meilland, Kordes roses — they have them all — in every shade of the rose rainbow, with new varieties added every year. Unlike every other rose garden, you can smell, cut and fill your bucket with amazing blooms to take home. A bucket with water for you to keep will be provided. Each bucket will fit 25-30 stems of 12-18 inches.

Your reservation is for one hour. Each reservation purchase is for one bucket and one car parking spot. No children allowed in the rose field, please. If you are coming in two cars, make a second reservation. Reservations are currently available for Saturdays and Sundays. Birdsong Orchard can also open on other days for private groups of four or more. Be timely and courteous of other visitors so everyone can enjoy a relaxing time in the rose garden.

Things to bring include a sun hat, water bottle, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, your own clippers and gloves if you have them. If not, they will be provided for you to borrow.

For more information, visit birdsongorchards.com/pages/you-pick-roses.

SANTA CRUZ

Weekly Garden Club at the community center

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

Call 831-420-6180 to learn more or stop by and check it out.

APTOS

Zen Garden family project this weekend

Join Cabrillo Cottage Farms from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, at 4461 Porter Gulch Road for a peaceful afternoon at the beautiful, organic rose oasis. Unplug, get creative and soak in the serenity of the farm. Create your own mini Zen Garden with animal-themed accents — perfect for relaxation, gifting or home décor. Tickets are $15 per person or 2 for $20, and includes all materials including sand, rakes, marbles, animals, etc. Reserve your spot by messaging Cabrillo Cottage Farms on Facebook at facebook.com/people/Cabrillo-Cottage-Farms/100093484366459 or on Instagram @cabrillocottagefarms.

The farm is also open for U-Cut Roses. This event is separate from the kids projects. You can make a reservation for $5 for adults for U-Cut Roses. No minimum, roses are $1-2 per stem, if you purchase a dozen or more, your reservation fee will be reimbursed.

Space is limited. Reserve tickets at tinyurl.com/6fj9n2xc.

SANTA CRUZ

Summer u-pick berry dates posted

Pick organic strawberries and blueberries this summer, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, June 21 and 28, at the UC Santa Cruz Farm located at 1156 High St. With proceeds supporting the Center for Agroecology, containers will be sold at a flat rate. Payment requires a credit card and smartphone to scan a QR code.

Wearing layers is recommended, as well as a hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes you can comfortably move around in. Strawberry availability is subject to change depending on the volume of customers and other circumstances. Park in Lot 116 on the UC Santa Cruz campus or take public transportation. For directions to the farm, visit agroecology.ucsc.edu/visit/directions.html.

Rare plant swap returns at new location

The rare plant swap returns at 3 p.m. June 28 at a new location, Willowbrook County Park, 2950 Willowbrook Lane. This in-person buy, sell, trade and show event will spotlight rare and uncommon hoyas. Attendees are encouraged to bring plants, cuttings, corms, nodes and accessories like pots or soil additives — plus a bag for new finds.

No items are required to attend, but swaps and sales are limited to rare/uncommon varieties. There will also be raffle tickets available for $5. Connect with fellow Santa Cruz plant collectors. Contact any of the admins if you have any questions at fb.me/e/200FdwUXO.

Housing Navigation Services held weekly

Volunteer Housing Navigators provides housing navigation services for the homelessness every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Life Literacies Center located at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Downtown Branch, 224 Church St. Information: santacruzpl.libcal.com.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Design a pollinator habitat in backyard

Discover how California plants can provide beauty while supporting pollinators and local ecosystems from 10:30 a.m. to noon, June 28 in the Fireside Community Room of the Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road. Join master gardener volunteers as they share tips and techniques for supporting pollinators to your backyard. Register at santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/14455884.

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.