Home & Garden Digest

Join fellow gardeners for a free monthly Santa Cruz Garden Exchange from 5-6 p.m. Sept. 12 in the parking lot of the Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. October will be the last afternoon exchange until spring. To be added to the list for updates, email [email protected] or follow on Facebook. Kindly continue to park in the northern rows of the parking lot away from the building. Gardeners are welcome to bring anything from their garden such as seeds, bulbs, succulents, houseplants, veggies, fresh flowers, informational material or any other garden-related items to trade within your garden community. You do not need to bring something in order to participate and you must take back anything not given out. For questions, call 831-515-7162 or email [email protected].

A Free 2 Be a Kid Clothing Exchange is scheduled for 8:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Live Oak Grange Hall, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. Free to be a Kid is a children’s clothing exchange held the first Saturday of every month at the Live Oak Grange. Anyone and everyone is welcome. There is a $2 entrance fee per family and donations are accepted. “Bring what you can, take what you need.” Bring in your gently used children’s clothing sizes newborn to juniors size 8 and take the clothing in the sizes you need. Please no holes, rips or stains. We also exchange shoes, blankets, maternity clothes and small toys. At the door, you will receive a bag from Free 2 Be A Kid to use while shopping. Please only use this bag. If you need a second bag, see the front door attendant for another. For questions, email [email protected].

Find out how easy it is to compost in your very own backyard from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 9 at Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. One of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil in our gardens all at once is through composting. Composting is nature’s way of recycling, where yard waste and food scraps are broken down to become nutrient-rich food for plants. Learn the basics of backyard composting with Estela Gutierrez of Salinas Valley Recycles and Julie Lorenzen, UC Master Gardener and Master Composter at this two-hour workshop. They will introduce the science behind composting and highlight different methods for composting at home.

To register, visit mbmg.ucsc.edu.

Monterey Bay Cactus & Succulent Society presents Portuguese Community Hall Fall Show and Plant Sale from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 15 for club members only. The sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Portuguese Community Hall, 124 Atkinson Lane, Watsonville. There will be a large variety of cacti, succulents, pottery, books, and utensils for sale and on display. Experts will be on hand to answer your questions about plants and care. Vote for your favorite plant, photo, art, pottery, at the people’s choice show. For information, visit mbsucculent.org.

The Garden Digest is compiled by Jesselyn Rego. To submit items for the calendar including events, meetings, resources, or anything garden related, email [email protected].

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