LIVE OAK

Early bird garden exchange and guest speaker

Stop by the early morning garden exchange from 8-9 a.m. Saturday, held at the 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.

At 8:30 a.m., Jeffrey Smedberg, Compost Workshop organizer and certified master composter, will give a short talk on composting classes offered by Santa Cruz County. Smedberg will briefly discuss the importance of composting kitchen and yard waste using backyard bins and vermicomposting (worm composting) techniques, and how composting will improve your soil and enhance the health of your plants and vegetables.

The Santa Cruz Garden Exchange is a free event where local residents bring extra garden-related items to give away. No money is exchanged, and participants are not required to bring anything to take part. However, attendees are expected to take home any items they bring that are not given away.

In-person exchanges are held twice a month: on the second Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. and the fourth Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m., both at the Live Oak Grange.

For information email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.

APTOS

U-cut roses available Saturdays through October

Cabrillo Cottage Farm invites the public to enjoy u-cut roses every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at 4461 Porter Gulch Road, through October. This coastal garden offers guests a chance to stroll through blooming rose rows and cut their own fresh bouquets. It’s a relaxed, seasonal experience perfect for flower lovers and weekend wanderers. Make a reservation for $5. Minors 18 years or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must be 13 years or older to cut their own rose. No minimum, roses are $2 per stem, if you purchase a dozen or more, you will be reimbursed your reservation fee.

Tickets and more information are available at ucutroses.eventbrite.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Garden Club On Wednesdays

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

Rare plant swap returns at a new location

The rare plant swap returns at 3 p.m. Saturday 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 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, Saturday 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.