Get growing with the Community Center Garden Club

Do you have a green thumb? Or wanting 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.

Beekeepers guild monthly meeting held midweek

Join the Santa Cruz Beekeepers Guild monthly meeting June 4 from 7-9 p.m. located at the El Rio Mobile Home Park Community Room, 2120 N. Pacific Ave. This month’s guest speaker, beekeeper Bradon Tinianov, will share insights on bees robbing, foraging and feeding, and discuss the difference in behavior and what that looks like. Whether you’re an experienced beekeeper or simply curious about bee breeding, this presentation will offer valuable insights into the future of sustainable beekeeping. All are welcome, and bring your questions.

Remember not to park inside the mobile home park or along the fence at Lenz Arts. Metered street parking is available if the Lenz lot is full. Visit santacruzbees.com for information.

WATSONVILLE

VegFest serves up compassion, community

Santa Cruz VegFest returns from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., uniting thousands in a celebration of plant-based living, sustainability and animal compassion. Hosted by Plant Based Treaty Bay Area, this family-friendly event features over 100 exhibitors, vegan food vendors, live music, local drinks, cooking demos and speakers on health, the environment and animal rights.

From cruelty-free fashion to vegan comedy and free samples galore, VegFest offers something for everyone — whether you’re a longtime vegan or just curious. Stop by the Plant Based Treat table to learn how small choices can create big change. Tickets are $5 presale and $10 at the door. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Visit vegfestsantacruz.org for information.

LIVE OAK

Evening Garden Exchange for the night owls

Join fellow gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 5 to 6 p.m. June 11 in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. Please park in the northern rows of the parking lot away from the building. 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 in order to participate and you must take back anything not given out. For questions, call 831-515-7162 or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.

LIVE OAK

Basic composting with certified master composter

Sign up for Basic Composting from 10 a.m. to noon June 14, held outdoors in the gardens and orchard at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. The class will discuss the principles of composting kitchen and yard waste using backyard bins and vermicomposting (worm composting) techniques. You will learn how composting will improve your soil and enhance the health of your plants and vegetables. Composting also reduces organic waste going to the landfill, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions and slowing climate change. Virtual and in-person workshops are led by a certified master composter and sponsored by the County of Santa Cruz Public Works Department.

Space is limited at these popular workshops, and reservation is required. To sign up, call 831-824-6484 or online at goo.gl/Fw6BaK. After submitting your request, you will be notified if you are accepted in the workshop.

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.

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.