LIVE OAK
Morning garden trade and more
Join other gardeners for the free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday (the fourth Saturday) in the parking lot of Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange, located at 1900 17th Ave. Park in the northern sections of the lot, away from the building. Gardeners are encouraged to bring seeds, bulbs, succulents, indoor plants, vegetables, fresh flowers, informational resources, compost, or any other gardening items to exchange within the local gardening community. You are not required to bring anything to take part, and you must take home any items that are not given away.
The 2026 Santa Cruz Garden Exchange Garden Tour registration is now available. Nine garden tours are planned between April and September. October remains available for those wishing to arrange a fall tour. Additionally, there are several opportunities for individuals interested in hosting an 8:30 a.m. workshop.
Friendly reminder: a new baker has arrived in town. Lauren’s Sourdough Kitchen is now producing small-batch, naturally fermented sourdough in Live Oak, with weekly orders possible through Instagram @laurenssourdoughkitchen. Visit her at the Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Live Oak Grange for fresh samples. Bring a cup, exchange some plants, and take a taste.
To join the garden tour lineup, or if you’re interested in hosting a workshop, please call 831-515-7162 or send an email to [email protected].
SANTA CRUZ
March is designated as Hummingbird Month at the UCSC Botanical Garden.
Each year, during this season, the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden is home to Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, the two most frequently seen species in Northern California. To honor this unique time of year, we encourage you to explore the garden as often as you can! Throughout the month, there will be various talks, classes, and guided visits.
The density of hummingbirds, the number per area in the Arboretum, is extremely high,” said Bruce Lyon, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UCSC. “You can observe them feeding on flowers, you can watch their mating rituals, you can see them chasing other species. It’s a fantastic chance to witness some truly remarkable hummingbird behavior.arboretum.ucsc.edu/visit/eventsfor a list of events and details regarding hummingbirds, along with the variety of plants at the arboretum that draw them in.
The arboretum will also include hummingbird-themed items and plants that attract hummingbirds at the gift shop and nursery. Stop by Norrie’s Gift and Garden Shop, open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details, visitarboretum.ucsc.edu/garden-shop.
All events are free for those who pay admission: Adults $10, seniors $8, and youth aged 4 to 17 $5. Outdoor activities will be canceled if it rains. Current members can enter for free and receive additional perks throughout the year. Join now atarboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/join-us.
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz Beekeepers Association to hold March gathering
The Santa Cruz Beekeepers Guild will hold a meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on March 4 at El Rio Mobile Home Park, located at 2120 N. Pacific Ave. The event will center on beekeeping supplies and the essentials for beginners looking to start their own hive, along with preparations for the spring season for more experienced beekeepers. Both those who already keep bees and those who are new to the practice are encouraged to attend and gain knowledge from local experts on equipment, prevention methods, and planning for the season.
The evening will feature practical access to hive equipment, open discussions about managing hives that grow quickly and those that develop more slowly during the spring, and a special talk on creating homemade swarm traps to attract spring swarms. Those wishing to purchase bees are invited to remain for further details. The event is available for both members and guests who have an interest in beekeeping.
Parking notice: Avoid parking within the mobile home park. Visitors are requested to park outside the community and be considerate of residents when departing. Make sure to keep noise levels low and pay the meter if parking on the street. If using the Lenz Arts lot, do not obstruct vehicles or park along the chain-link fence. Employees may park behind the building until 7 p.m. and must leave through the gate near the fence.
RSVP at santacruzbees.com/events.
APTOS
CNPS Santa Cruz will present a Spring Native Plant Sale
The Santa Cruz County branch of the California Native Plant Society is organizing its Spring Native Plant Sale, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 11 at Cabrillo College’s Horticulture Department, situated in the Horticulture Center on Sanders Avenue at the top of the hill on campus.
The sale will include a diverse range of plants native to California, perfect for local gardens. A list of the plants available will be uploaded online prior to the event. Organizers recommend arriving early, as items tend to sell quickly. The event is co-hosted by Cabrillo Horticulture. A shuttle service will be provided to transport guests to the sale site.
Parking notice: Guests are requested to park in the lower campus parking areas and use the shuttle or walk to the location, allowing vendors to utilize the limited parking near the horticulture zone. Details can be found atchapters.cnps.org/santacruz.
APTOS
Master Gardeners will host a workshop on drought resistance
The UC Master Gardeners from Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties will host the event “Drought Tolerance: The Myth & the Science” on March 14 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 5005 of the Cabrillo College Horticulture building, located on Sanders Avenue.
In recent years, an increasing number of nursery plant labels have featured the phrase “drought tolerant.” The workshop will delve into the actual significance of this label and investigate how plants adjust to thrive with minimal water. The session consists of a 45-minute presentation followed by interactive learning experiences in the Cabrillo Horticulture gardens.
The class is included in the Home Gardener Days series, sponsored jointly with Cabrillo College Horticulture and taught by instructor Nicky Hughes. The event is open to everyone, and individuals at all skill levels are encouraged to attend. Additional details can be found atmbmg.org.
The Garden Digest is put together by Jesselyn Rego. If you want to add content to the calendar such as events, meetings, resources, or any other gardening-related information, send an email to [email protected].
