UC Santa Cruz Spring Plant Sale
2026-04-25 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Stock your garden with premium organic seedlings while supporting student education! Browse a huge variety of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and strawberries—all grown by UCSC Farm staff, students, and volunteers in our greenhouses. Proceeds support the Center for Agroecology’s hands-on learning programs.
Full list of varieties coming soon.
Special Perks:

Friends of the Farm & Garden members: 10% off all plants + early bird shopping at 9 AM
UCSC students with valid ID: 25% off

Parking and logistics:
Please plan to park across the street from the Hay Barn in parking lot 116. We encourage you to bring a basket, wagon, or other means to carry your plants. We will have a limited number of cardboard boxes available but encourage you to bring your own.
Payment:
We accept cash, checks made out to “UC Regents,” or credit card (we do not have a traditional credit card reader; you will need a smart phone to scan a QR code and then manually enter your credit card number.)
Interested in volunteering in the greenhouses in preparation for our plant sale? Fill out this form!
This event is open to all members of the public consistent with state and federal law.

Cabrillo Plant Sale
2026-04-11 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Cabrillo College Horticulture Center, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Cabrillo College will hold its spring plant sale (with the Santa Cruz County CA Native Plants Society) on Saturday April 11, 2026 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Held jointly with the Santa Cruz California Native Plant Society.

Where: Cabrillo College Horticulture Center (near 5000 building), 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003.
Parking/Access: Park at the bottom of the hill and take the shuttle, which runs from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.
Features: The sale is held jointly with the Santa Cruz California Native Plant Society, featuring native plants, veggies, succulents, and pottery.

Easter Weekend - No Class
2026-04-04 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles)
Please note, there is no class on April the 4th. Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Repotting Bonzai
2026-03-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
This class covers the basics of repotting bonsai to keep trees healthy and thriving. CJ will talk about when to repot, how to choose the right soil and container, and simple techniques for safely trimming roots and refreshing the pot. The focus is on practical, hands-on guidance to help your bonsai continue to grow well and look its best.

Ground Cover
2026-03-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
This class explores a wide range of ground cover plants and how to use them effectively in the garden. CJ will talk about choosing the right ground cover for sun, shade, and water conditions, how ground covers can reduce weeds and erosion, and tips for planting and maintenance. You’ll come away with practical ideas for creating healthy, attractive spaces that support your landscape and make garden care easier.

How to Keep a Journal for Your Garden
2026-03-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
This class introduces simple, practical ways to keep a garden journal that actually gets used. CJ will cover what to record (and what to skip), easy formats for notes, sketches, and photos, and how journaling can help you track plant performance, weather patterns, and seasonal changes.

Camellias, Rhododendrons, and Azaleas
2026-03-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Meeting at Linda A’s house.
Discover the beauty and versatility of camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas. CJ will cover the basics of choosing the right plant for your garden, understanding their light and soil needs, and keeping them healthy and blooming year after year. You’ll also learn simple pruning tips, common mistakes to avoid, and how these classic shrubs can add color and structure to your landscape. Perfect for both new and experienced gardeners looking to get the most out of these spring-blooming favorites.
Please note, our usual meeting space is not available on the 7th of March because there is an event at the Aptos Knoll Clubhouse. This class will be held at Linda A’s house, on her outdoor patio, weather permitting. Look out for an email with venue details – address and directions.

Drought Tolerant Landscapes
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Discover how to create a beautiful, sustainable garden that thrives with very little water in this inspiring class on drought-tolerant landscapes. We’ll explore resilient plants, smart design strategies, soil and mulch choices, and simple watering techniques that help your garden flourish even in dry conditions. Whether you’re rethinking your yard or just want to reduce water use, you’ll leave with practical ideas and confidence to transform your space into a vibrant, water-wise landscape.

How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Discover how to welcome these shimmering, beneficial visitors into your outdoor space with our How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Garden class. Learn which plants, water features, and habitat elements create the perfect environment for dragonflies to thrive, while also helping to naturally reduce mosquitoes and other pests. We’ll explore simple, beautiful ways to support healthy ecosystems, add movement and magic to your garden, and enjoy the fascinating world of these graceful aerial acrobats.

Romance Flowers
2026-02-14 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Bring a friend and learn how to grow your own romantic cutting garden filled with Valentine’s roses, classic romance blooms, and other gorgeous flowers perfect for bouquets and heartfelt gifts. This fun and inspiring class explores choosing the right varieties, planting and care tips, and how to harvest long-lasting stems for beautiful arrangements. Whether you’re growing for a special occasion or simply to bring beauty indoors, you’ll discover how to create a garden that blooms with love all season long.

Garden Class at the London Nelson Community Center
2026-02-11 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Come! Join the Santa Cruz Pollinators led by CJ Brehm-Stern. Classes are every Wednesday at 9:30am.

Wildflower Seed Balls!
2026-02-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Join us for a hands-on, creative gardening class. We’ll learn how to make colorful wildflower seed balls—tiny bundles of soil, clay, and seeds that are fun to roll, easy to plant, and great for pollinators. Discover which flowers thrive best, why seed balls help seeds grow successfully, and how to scatter them to bring bursts of natural beauty to home gardens, open spaces, and community areas. It’s a playful, nature-loving activity. All ages welcome so feel free to bring the little ones in your life for a morning of fun.

Scion Exchange - CA Rare Fruit Growers
2026-02-01 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Soquel High School, 401 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel, CA, 95073, United States
A Scion Exchange is a community event, often organized by groups like the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG), where gardeners swap dormant cuttings (scions) from fruit trees (apples, pears, stone fruits, etc.) to propagate new trees via grafting, offering workshops, rootstock sales, and a chance to share rare heirloom varieties, fostering local fruit diversity. These winter/early spring gatherings provide education for beginners and experts alike, focusing on preserving and expanding unique fruit tree collections. There will be a grafting demo, custom grafting and a rootstock sale at Soquel High School this year.

How to Make Tinctures and Oils from the Plants in Your Garden
2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
A practical garden class that shows how to make simple tinctures and infused oils using plants from your garden, covering safe methods, basic recipes, and everyday uses.

Houseplants
2026-01-24 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
A hands-on gardening class that teaches the basics of houseplant care, including light, watering, soil, and simple tips to keep indoor plants healthy and thriving. CJ will bring sample houseplants, share her knowledge, and answer your questions.

EcoFarm Conference
2026-01-21 00:00 - 2026-01-24 23:59 (America/Los_Angeles) | Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, United States
https://www.eco-farm.org/
Connect with more than 1,500 organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farmers, ranchers and industry leaders. The conference features over 50 skill-building workshops, keynotes, pre-conference events, farm tours, seed swaps, tastings, networking, Spanish programming, and of course the EcoFarm dance!

Bonsai 101
2026-01-17 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
An introductory Bonsai class that introduces the art and science of bonsai, covering basic design principles, essential tools, pruning, wiring, and simple care techniques to help beginners get started with confidence.

Planting Spring Bulbs
2026-01-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Clubhouse at Aptos Knoll, 600 Trout Gulch Rd,, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
The topic for the first class of 2026 at 10am on Saturday morning the 10th of January at the Clubhouse and Aptos Knoll Mobile Home Park will be “Planting Spring Bulbs“. Learn how to choose, plant, and care for spring-flowering bulbs to ensure vibrant blooms next season, including tips on timing, depth, and location. And bring your questions! CJ is sure to have an answer for you!
