If you have a set of green thumbs, or just want to enjoy the laborious fruits of those who do, be sure to mark your calendars for these home and garden events taking place this spring and summer in Santa Cruz County.
4/29
Farm & Garden Spring Plant Sale
This year’s annual Spring plant sale will feature a 50th anniversary twist with some of Alan Chadwick’s favorites and selections of plants that thrive in the Monterey Bay region.
10 a.m.-3 p.m., UCSC Farm
5/2
Community Day
Free admission on the first Tuesday of every month, take a relaxing stroll around the gorgeous UCSC arboretum grounds to visit plants from near and distant lands.
All day, UCSC Arboretum
5/7
Free Guided Tour of UCSC Farm
Docent-lead tours of the UCSC farm grounds covering the education, research, and outreach work that the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems leads. First Sunday of the month from April through November.
2-3:30 p.m., UCSC Farm
5/7
Soil Prep for Vegetable Gardens
Soil is the key to plant success. Learn basic soil science, practical techniques, and optional practice in the demo garden in this class—part of an ongoing series of public classes offered by the UC Master Gardener Program of Monterey Bay. Class schedule at mbmg.ucanr.edu.
10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1430 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville
5/9
Ray Collett Rare and Extraordinary Plant Lecture Series
Did you know that sex in animals was discovered 14,000 years before sex in plants? Find out why it took scientists so long with professors Lincoln Taiz and Lee Taiz.
7 p.m., Arboretum Horticulture II Building, UCSC
5/12
Cabrillo College Annual Spring Plant Sale
More than 1,000 different organic vegetable starts, perennial edibles, annuals, bedding plants, culinary and medicinal herbs, cut flowers, natives, succulents, and more.
3-7 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, May 14. Cabrillo Community College
5/20
Gopher Control in the Home and Garden
Pests a pest? Learn how to control gophers, moles and ground squirrels in the home garden with non-toxic techniques.
9:30-12:30 a.m. Cowell Ranch Hay Barn, UCSC
5/27
Drip Irrigation System Workshop
Fitting by fitting, Love Apple Farms will teach you the process of installing a drip irrigation system, from the spigot to the garden.
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Love Apple Farms
6/3
Arboretum Garden Tour
Go around the world in 90 minutes with a tour of plants from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, on the first Saturday of every month.
11 a.m., UCSC Arboretum
6/10
Sustain Supper
Dine outdoors on the organic farm at the Homeless Garden Project for a four-course dinner prepared by top local chefs using local, organic ingredients. The keynote speaker is Guy Kawasaki.
Info: homelessgardenproject.org
7/28 – 7/30
First 50 Celebration
In celebration of UCSC’s first fifty years, the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems will host three days of speakers, workshops, tours and music with local food.
Various locations, CASFS website
8/5
Love Apple Farm Tours
GQ magazine has called their farm grounds “stunningly beautiful,” so take a tour and see for yourself while munching on farm-made jams, pickles and more.
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Love Apple Farms
