LIVE OAK

Guest speaker at SC Garden Exchange

The Santa Cruz Garden Exchange is scheduled from 8 to 9 a.m. July 26 and will be held at the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave. At 8:30 a.m. the president of the Live Oak Green Grange will speak to attendees about the mission of the Live Oak Grange and lead a short tour of the grounds.

The Santa Cruz Garden Exchange is a free event where local residents bring extra plants, seeds, cuttings, tools, compost and other garden-related items to give away. No money is exchanged, and participants are not required to bring anything in order to take part. Attendees are expected to take home any items they bring that are not given away. The in-person exchanges occur twice a month: on the second Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. and on the fourth Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m., both at the Live Oak Grange location.

In addition to the scheduled events, members can also participate in private trades through the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange Facebook group. For information, visit the group’s Facebook page or email santacruzgardenexchange@gmail.com.

UCSC Center for Agroecology’s Farmstand is open

The Center for Agroecology’s Farmstand, 94 Ranch View Road, is open to all every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., through Sept. 25, and features organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers grown at the UCSC Farm and Alan Chadwick Garden. Find the farmstand at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn near the base of campus. By shopping at the farmstand, you support agricultural education and research at UC Santa Cruz. Get discounted produce from the Center for Agroecology’s Farmstand by signing up for a market share at tinyurl.com/Market-Share-Sign-Up. Students get 25% off produce, and EBT is accepted.

WATSONVILLE

Vegetable Gardening Class Series continues

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners want to know, how’s your garden growing? Have questions? Ask a Master Gardener from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, at the Pinto Lake County Park, 757 Green Valley Road. Every vegetable garden has its ups and downs by midsummer. Some plants are thriving and giving it their all, while others might be struggling to keep up due to pests or other issues.

By this time of the year, gardeners often have a few questions. They might wonder what’s wrong with a particular plant, if there’s anything they can do to save it or how to extend the growing season. This class is all about answering your questions and helping you plan for the rest of the growing season in your garden. Feel free to bring samples if you have them, and Master Gardeners will be there to guide you and provide some helpful answers.

Reserve a free seat at zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hows-your-garden-growing.

APTOS

You-cut roses available Saturdays through October

Cabrillo Cottage Farm invites the public to enjoy you-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 and 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 gardeners Tom Fordham and CJ. Community happens here.

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

SANTA CRUZ

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.

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.