SANTA CRUZ

Workshop to focus on basics of fruit trees

The Introduction to Fruit Trees Workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, 152 Farm Road. This workshop will focus on fruit tree care and management, especially for those who are looking to establish and/or care for their fruit trees using organic methods. Although the workshop will be demonstrating on a home garden scale, the techniques and methods are applicable at multiple scales — the basics are the same. This hands-on workshop will cover the run up to planting (site, sun, soil), assessing and improving your soil, sourcing quality trees, planting bare root trees, post plant care and a Q&A session.

Registration is required for this workshop at calendar.ucsc.edu/event/intro-to-fruit-trees.

LIVE OAK

Join the Orchid Society’s Friday meeting

The Santa Cruz Orchid Society’s January meeting will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Kick off 2025 with this month’s webinar titled, “Roots, it’s all about the Roots!” by John Salventi. This webinar is one-hour long and a Zoom link can be sent for anyone who can’t make the meeting in person but wants to join the webinar.

Roots are the lifeblood of our orchids. Salventi will discuss all the methodologies to take care of our orchid root systems. A founder and owner of Parkside Orchid Nursery in Pennsylvania, Salventi began as a hobbyist in 1986 and entered the commercial orchid world. He is now part of Salventi-Purviance Enterprises LLC which provides orchid consultation, lecturing and teaching and sales of greenhouses.

Setup begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit santacruzorchidsociety.org for details.

SANTA CRUZ

Garden center offers spring rose pruning class

San Lorenzo Garden Center hosts a Spring rose pruning class from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 25, held in the nursery at 235 River St. Join the Monterey Bay Rose Society at the nursery for a rose pruning demonstration by consulting rosarians. Learn to prepare your roses for a beautiful and healthy season. You will discuss tried-and-true methods for pruning at planting time, soil prep and successful planting and selecting the best varieties for the Santa Cruz area.

Visit sanlorenzolumber.com/EventCalendar for information.

SOQUEL

Rare plant swap is back in January

Santa Cruz Rare Plants is holding the first rare plant swap of 2025 from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 18 in person at Anna Jean Cummings County Park, 461 Soquel San Jose Road. You are welcome to bring rare/uncommon plants, cuttings, corms, nodes, any plant accessories like pots, leca, soil additives, etc. Be sure to bring a bag or container to hold all your new plant/items. Please remember to keep it rare/uncommon plants only. Plant sales are allowed but Santa Cruz Rare Plants is not responsible for any sales or trades they don’t conduct personally.

Please contact any of the admins if you have any questions. For information, visit fb.me/e/200FdwUXO.APTOS

Library hosts Estate Planning Basics

The Aptos Branch Library will host Estate Planning Basics for You and Your Family with attorney Myra J. Prestidge from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, at 7695 Soquel Drive. This informative session will cover essential documents like wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives. Learn how to avoid probate, protect your assets and ensure your loved ones are cared for according to your wishes. Whether you’re starting an estate plan or updating one, this workshop provides practical insights to help you plan for the future.

Visit, facebook.com/events/510865041275327 for details.

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.