The 9 Best Plant Nurseries in Santa Cruz County (And What Each Does Best)
One of the best things about gardening in Santa Cruz County is our incredible local nurseries. Unlike big-box stores with generic inventory, our local nurseries stock plants that actually grow here, staffed by people who actually garden here.
But with so many options, how do you know where to go? The nursery that's perfect for fruit trees might not be your best bet for succulent containers. The place with the most knowledgeable staff might not have the lowest prices.
After years of gardening in this area (and talking to countless local gardeners), I've put together this guide to help you find the right nursery for your specific needs. Each of these nine nurseries has something special to offer.
1. Sierra Azul Nursery (Watsonville) — Best for Succulents, Sculptures, and Expert Advice
Address: 2660 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville
Website: sierraazul.com
Best for: Succulents, Mediterranean plants, unique varietals, one-on-one expert guidance
Sierra Azul is a destination nursery, and it's worth the drive from anywhere in the county. The nursery includes a stunning 2-acre demonstration garden where you can see how plants actually perform in our climate before you buy them.
What makes them special:
The staff knowledge here is exceptional. Owner’s Lisa and Jeff Rosendale and his team can tell you exactly which varieties will do best on your foggy Aptos hillside versus your sunny Watsonville lot. They grow many plants on-site and specialize in varieties proven to work in our specific microclimates.
Go here for:
Unusual plants
Sculpture garden
Consultation on what will grow in your specific conditions
Demonstration garden inspiration
Keep in mind: This isn't a discount nursery. You're paying for expertise and quality. The drive to Watsonville may not be convenient for everyone, but serious food gardeners consider it worth the trip.
2. San Lorenzo Garden Center (Santa Cruz) — Best All-Around Garden Center
Address: 808 River Street, Santa Cruz
Website: sanlorenzolumber.com/garden-center
Best for: One-stop shopping, vegetable starts, organic amendments, everyday garden needs
Located at San Lorenzo Lumber, this garden center offers excellent variety without being overwhelming. It's my go-to for routine garden supplies because they have quality plants plus all the soil, amendments, tools, and materials you need in one stop.
What makes them special:
They stock a solid selection of locally-appropriate vegetable starts throughout the growing season, good organic amendments and soils, and helpful staff who know local growing conditions. The prices are reasonable, and the quality is reliable.
Go here for:
Spring vegetable starts
Organic fertilizers and amendments
Seeds (they carry Renee's Garden, which is local to Felton!)
General gardening supplies
Convenient central location
Keep in mind: Selection is good but not as deep as specialty nurseries. For rare varieties or expert consultation, you might need a specialty destination.
3. Dig Gardens (Santa Cruz & Aptos) — Best for Modern Design and Houseplants
Address: 420 Water Street, Santa Cruz / 7765 Soquel Drive, Aptos
Website: diggardens.com
Best for: Succulents, houseplants, containers, design-forward outdoor plants, gifts
Dig Gardens brings a design aesthetic that's rare in the nursery world. If you want your garden or container arrangements to look like they belong in a magazine, this is your place.
What makes them special:
Their succulent selection is curated and beautiful, not just the standard varieties you see everywhere. They also stock gorgeous pots, unique houseplants, and outdoor plants chosen for visual impact. The workshops they offer are excellent for building skills.
Go here for:
Succulents and cacti (the best selection in the county)
Statement houseplants
Beautiful containers and pottery
Design inspiration
Workshops on arrangements and plant care
Keep in mind: Prices reflect the curated, design-forward selection. This isn't where you'd buy 50 vegetable starts, but it's perfect for statement pieces and gifts.
4. Far West Nursery (Santa Cruz) — Best for Trees and Unusual Finds
Address: 2667 Mattison Lane, Santa Cruz
Website: farwestnursery.com
Best for: Trees (fruit and ornamental), shrubs, unusual plants, wholesale quantities
Far West has been around since 1947, and they propagate many plants on-site. This means they often have unusual varieties you won't find elsewhere, and their trees are acclimated to local conditions.
What makes them special:
The depth of selection, especially for trees and shrubs, is remarkable. They carry multiple varieties where other nurseries might have one or two. The staff has deep experience, and because they propagate on-site, they can speak to how plants actually perform locally.
Go here for:
Fruit trees (excellent selection, often including unusual varieties)
Ornamental trees and large shrubs
California natives
Plants in larger sizes
Wholesale pricing on quantity purchases
Keep in mind: The layout can feel a bit overwhelming to first-time visitors. Don't hesitate to ask staff for help finding what you need.
5. Scarborough Gardens (Scotts Valley) — Best for the San Lorenzo Valley
Address: 33 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley
Website: scarboroughlumber.com/pages/scarborough-gardens
Best for: Convenient option for Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley residents, full-service garden center
Located next to Scarborough Lumber, this garden center serves the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley communities with a solid selection of plants suited to the area's mixed sun and shade conditions.
What makes them special:
They understand the unique conditions of the San Lorenzo Valley, including the redwood shade, variable frost dates, and mix of sun and shade exposures. Convenient for residents who don't want to drive to Santa Cruz or Watsonville.
Go here for:
Plants suited to partially shaded conditions
Convenient San Lorenzo Valley location
Pond plants (good selection)
Gifts and garden décor
Keep in mind: Smaller selection than Santa Cruz nurseries, but perfectly adequate for most gardening needs.
6. Mountain Feed & Farm Supply (Ben Lomond) — Best for Homesteaders and Seed Selection
Address: 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
Website: mountainfeed.com
Best for: Seeds, organic gardening supplies, homesteading supplies, chicken and bee equipment
Mountain Feed is more than a nursery; it's a homesteader's paradise. If you're into growing your own food, keeping chickens, or producing your own honey, this is your one-stop shop.
What makes them special:
Their seed selection is outstanding, with a focus on organic and heirloom varieties suited to our climate. They also carry supplies for chickens, bees, fermentation, and other homesteading pursuits. The staff is knowledgeable about self-sufficient living.
Go here for:
Seeds (excellent organic and heirloom selection)
Cover crop seeds
Organic pest control and amendments
Beekeeping and chicken supplies
Classes and workshops on homesteading topics
Keep in mind: Plant selection (actual growing plants) is smaller than dedicated nurseries. This is primarily a supply store with some plants, not a full nursery.
7. Freedom Nursery (Freedom) — Best Budget-Friendly Selection
Address: 1900 Freedom Boulevard, Freedom
Best for: Good prices, succulents, general selection
Freedom Nursery offers solid selection at prices that won't break the bank. It's not fancy, but it's reliable and affordable.
What makes them special:
Good prices on everyday plants. Strong succulent selection. No-frills approach that keeps costs down.
Go here for:
Budget-friendly plants
Succulents
General landscaping plants
Quantity purchases
Keep in mind: Less expert consultation available than specialty nurseries. Best if you know what you want.
8. UCSC Arboretum Plant Sales (Santa Cruz) — Best for California Natives and Mediterranean Plants
Address: 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz (UCSC campus)
Website: arboretum.ucsc.edu
Best for: California natives, Australian and South African plants, unusual drought-tolerant species
The UCSC Arboretum holds plant sales several times a year featuring plants propagated from their world-class collection. These aren't everyday plants; they're unusual species tested in our climate.
What makes them special:
The Arboretum specializes in plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide, which are perfectly suited to Santa Cruz County. Their plant sales offer species you literally can't find anywhere else, propagated from their collection plants.
Go here for:
California native plants
Unusual drought-tolerant species
Australian and South African plants suited to our climate
Rare finds for collectors
Supporting the Arboretum's conservation work
Keep in mind: Sales are periodic, not ongoing. Check their website for sale dates. Selection varies by what's available each sale.
9. Love Apple Farms Plant Sale — Best for Heirloom Tomatoes and Peppers
Address: 5311 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, CA 95060
Website: growbetterveggies.com
Best for: Heirloom tomato and pepper starts, unusual vegetable varieties
Cynthia Sandberg's Love Apple Farms is legendary among tomato enthusiasts. Her annual plant sales feature dozens of heirloom tomato and pepper varieties, many of which you won't find anywhere else.
What makes them special:
The tomato variety selection is unmatched. Cynthia grows and trials varieties specifically for our climate, so you know they'll perform here. The plant sales also include classes and demonstrations.
Go here for:
Heirloom tomato starts (this is THE place)
Unusual pepper varieties
Plants proven for our specific climate
Learning from a true tomato expert
Keep in mind: Sales are limited to specific dates in spring. Mark your calendar and arrive early for the best selection; popular varieties sell out.
Honorable Mentions
CNPS Santa Cruz Chapter Native Plant Sales: Held at Cabrillo College Horticulture Center in spring and fall. Best source for locally-appropriate native plants grown from local seed sources.
Cabrillo College Horticulture Sales: The horticulture students hold regular plant sales at great prices. Selection varies, and it's a nice way to support the program.
Farmers Markets: The Downtown, Westside, and other Santa Cruz farmers markets often have vendors selling vegetable starts in spring, sometimes including unusual varieties.
How to Choose the Right Nursery
For fruit trees: Sierra Azul (best expertise) or Far West (best selection)
For vegetable starts: San Lorenzo Garden Center (convenient, good quality) or Love Apple Farms (heirloom tomatoes)
For succulents: Dig Gardens (curated, beautiful) or Freedom Nursery (budget-friendly)
For expert advice: Sierra Azul (food gardening) or Far West (trees and shrubs)
For native plants: UCSC Arboretum sales or CNPS sales
For seeds: Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
For one-stop shopping: San Lorenzo Garden Center
Frequently Asked Questions About Local Nurseries
Are local nurseries more expensive than big-box stores?
Sometimes, but not always. Quality is generally higher, plants are better suited to our climate, and expert advice is included. Failed plants are expensive; local nurseries help you succeed the first time.
When do nurseries get their best selection?
For vegetables: February through April. For fruit trees: December through February (bare-root season). For natives: fall sales have the best selection. For general plants: spring has the widest variety.
Can I get advice at local nurseries, or do I need to hire a consultant?
Most local nurseries are happy to offer advice, though it helps to come during slower times (weekday mornings, for example) if you have lots of questions. For complex projects, some gardeners do hire consultants for initial planning.
Do local nurseries offer delivery?
Some do, especially for large orders or trees. Ask about delivery options and fees for heavy or bulk purchases.
Should I buy plants in spring or fall?
In Santa Cruz County, fall is actually ideal for planting perennials, shrubs, and trees because winter rains help establish roots. Spring is better for warm-season vegetables. Cool-season vegetables can be planted in both seasons.
What if a plant dies after I buy it?
Policies vary, but most local nurseries stand behind their plants. Keep your receipt and contact them if a plant fails shortly after purchase. They may offer replacement or advice on what went wrong.
Free Gardening Resources
Know Your Microclimate Worksheet — Identify your specific conditions before you shop for plants.
Seasonal Planting Calendar — Know what to buy when for Santa Cruz County.
Beginner Garden Setup Checklist — Plan your nursery shopping trip with a list.
Supporting Local Means Growing Local
These nurseries are staffed by people who garden in Santa Cruz County, growing plants suited to our specific conditions. When you shop local, you're not just getting better plants; you're getting generations of knowledge about what actually works here.
Make a point to visit a new-to-you nursery this season. You might discover your new favorite source for exactly what your garden needs.
Santa Cruz County Nursery Comparison
9 local nurseries and what each does best
| Nursery | Location | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Azul | Watsonville | Expert Advice Succulents, Mediterranean plants, demonstration garden | $$$ |
| San Lorenzo Garden Center | Santa Cruz | One-Stop Shop Veggie starts, organic amendments, seeds | $$ |
| Dig Gardens | Santa Cruz / Aptos | Design Succulents, houseplants, containers, workshops | $$$ |
| Far West Nursery | Santa Cruz | Trees Fruit trees, ornamentals, unusual varieties | $$ |
| Scarborough Gardens | Scotts Valley | SLV Area Shade-tolerant plants, pond plants, gifts | $$ |
| Mountain Feed | Ben Lomond | Seeds Organic seeds, homesteading, bee/chicken supplies | $-$$ |
| Freedom Nursery | Freedom | Budget Affordable plants, succulents, bulk purchases | $ |
| UCSC Arboretum Sales | Santa Cruz (UCSC) | Natives CA natives, drought-tolerant, rare species | $-$$ |
| Love Apple Farms | Scotts Valley | Tomatoes Heirloom tomato/pepper starts, expert guidance | $$ |
$ = Budget-friendly | $$ = Moderate | $$$ = Premium/specialty pricing. All nurseries stock plants suited to Santa Cruz County growing conditions.
Seasonal Nursery Shopping Guide
What to buy and where to go, by season in Santa Cruz County
Tip: Fall is the best time to plant perennials, shrubs, and trees in Santa Cruz County. Winter rains help establish roots before summer heat arrives.
