Santa Cruz Permaculture Farm Strawberry Festival

Visit the Santa Cruz Permaculture farm near Año Nuevo State Park for the Strawberry Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and celebrate the bounty of late spring. Bring your friends and family for a beautiful day on the coastal farm to mark the beginning of their third growing season. Come to connect, enjoy and feast.

Entry includes all activities, including face painting, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt and a farm tour that begins at 1 p.m. Plus, the beach is right across the street. Bring your appetite, as chef Mark Curtiss will have delicious eats for sale including strawberry shortcake, kiwi lime pie, strawberry lemonade, quinoa veggie bowls, fresh strawberries, persimmon lassi and other farm goodies. Tickets are $5 adults and $1 for children.

Visit tinyurl.com/2025-Strawberry-Festival for tickets and for directions visit tinyurl.com/StrawberryFestDirections.

APTOS

Rare plant swap returns at a 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.

LIVE OAK

Orchid Society June meeting repotting and demonstration

The next Santa Cruz Orchid Society meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Friday at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. June’s featured program will be a repotting demonstration by longtime member Brandon Dicochea. He will repot several of his orchids, sharing insights into his preferred media, mixes and the sterile techniques he uses to ensure plant health. Members are encouraged to bring in orchids they’re considering repotting for guidance and discussion.

Dicochea has been an active member of the society for many years and has served as a director on the board. In addition to managing a landscape business, Dicochea cares for several local orchid collections. His custom-built greenhouse, attached to his home, reflects his passion and innovation.

The evening will also feature a raffle table provided by Dicochea. Refreshments will be served. Members are welcome to bring refreshments as well — those who do will receive a free raffle ticket as a thank you.

Please note, there will not be general Santa Cruz Orchid Society meetings or newsletters in July and August. However, email updates will be sent out regarding member-only special events scheduled during those months.

Visit santacruzorchidsociety.org for information.SANTA CRUZ

Housing Navigation Services offered weekly at library

Volunteer Housing Navigators provides housing navigation services for people experiencing 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. For information, visit santacruzpl.libcal.com.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Design a pollinator habitat in your backyard

Discover how California native plants can provide seasonal 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 attracting and 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.