Local Resources for Santa Cruz & Bay Area Gardeners
One of the best parts of gardening in Santa Cruz County is the incredible local resources we have access to. From specialty nurseries and California-based seed companies to organic farms and community classes, you'll find everything you need to grow successfully here.
Nurseries & Garden Centers
San Lorenzo Garden Center
Full-service garden center with ornamentals, edibles, tools, soils, and organic amendments.
Location: 808 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: sanlorenzolumber.com/garden-center
Far West Nursery
Long-running nursery with a wide range of trees, shrubs, and perennials, many propagated on site.
Location: 2667 Mattison Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95065
Website: farwestnursery.com
Scarborough Gardens
Established full-service nursery with indoor and outdoor plants, pond plants, soils, fertilizers, and gifts.
Location: 33 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Website: scarboroughlumber.com/pages/scarborough-gardens
Sierra Azul Nursery & Garden
Nursery plus 2-acre demonstration sculpture garden with edibles and drought-tolerant plants.
Location: 2660 E. Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076
Website: sierraazul.com
Freedom Nursery
Local nursery known for a large plant selection and strong succulent offerings.
Location: 1900 Freedom Boulevard, Freedom, CA 95019
Dig Gardens
Design-oriented nursery and plant shop with annuals, perennials, houseplants, and curated home/garden goods.
Locations:
Santa Cruz: 420 Water Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Aptos: 7765 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Website: diggardens.com
Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
Nursery and homestead supply with seeds, plants, soils, and supplies for chickens, bees, and more.
Location: 9550 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005
Website: mountainfeed.com
Seed Companies
Renee's Garden Seeds
Premium seed company based right here in Felton! Known for heirloom and specialty varieties.
Location: Felton, CA
Website: reneesgarden.com
Kitazawa Seed Company
Specializing in Asian vegetable seeds, many varieties perfect for our climate.
Website: kitazawaseed.com
San Diego Seed Company
California-based seed company with varieties suited to our region.
Website: sandiegoseedcompany.com
Botanical Interests
High-quality seeds with detailed growing information on every packet.
Website: botanicalinterests.com
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
Organic seeds, tools, and supplies from a California company.
Website: groworganic.com
Wild Boar Farms
California-based seed company specializing in unique and rare tomato varieties, plus other specialty vegetables.
Website: wildboarfarms.com
Farmer’s Markets
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Year-round Wednesday market with regional organic produce, eggs, meats, and value-added products.
Location: Cedar & Cathcart Streets, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Westside Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Year-round Saturday market on the Westside with farms, prepared foods, and seasonal plant starts.
Location: Western Drive & Mission Street Extension, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Live Oak Farmers Market
Sunday market serving Live Oak/Eastside neighborhoods, often with plant vendors in spring.
Location: East Cliff Village Shopping Center, E. Cliff Drive & 15th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Website: santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Felton Farmers Market
Seasonal Tuesday afternoon market (typically May to October) with local farms and specialty foods.
Location: 120 Russell Avenue, Felton, CA 95018
Website: santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Scotts Valley Farmers Market
Seasonal Saturday market with local produce and prepared foods.
Location: 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Website: santacruzfarmersmarket.org
Native Plants & Special Sales
CNPS Santa Cruz County Chapter Plant Sales
Spring and fall native plant sales at Cabrillo College with locally appropriate natives.
Location: Cabrillo College Horticulture Center, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Website: cruzcnps.org
UCSC Arboretum Plant Sales
Seasonal sales of California natives and Mediterranean-climate plants suited to local conditions.
Location: 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Website: arboretum.ucsc.edu
Love Apple Farms Annual Plant Sale
Seasonal heirloom tomato and specialty vegetable plant sale featuring unique varieties.
Location: Dates and location vary (check website)
Website: growbetterveggies.com
Warshawsky Wood Annual Greenhouse Sale
Independent greenhouse sale featuring unusual edibles and ornamentals not typically found at big nurseries. Usually held in spring.
Location: Boulder Creek, dates vary (check website)
Website: warshawskywood.com
Seed Libraries
Felton Seed Lending Library
Free seed library where gardeners borrow seeds and are encouraged to return saved seed.
Location: Felton Branch Library, 6121 Gushee Street, Felton, CA 95018
Website: Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Santa Cruz Grows / Live Oak Seed Library
Community seed library offering free urban food-growing seeds to local gardeners.
Location: Live Oak Library, 2380 Portola Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Demeter Seed Library (UCSC)
Student-run seed library supporting backyard gardening and seed saving.
Location: UC Santa Cruz campus, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Website: demeterseedlibrary.wordpress.com
Community Gardens & Volunteer Opportunities
Annette Marcum Community Garden
Community plots for rent at various sizes in Scotts Valley.
Location: 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
Website: scottsvalley.gov/community-garden
Santa Cruz Community Orchard
Community-run public fruit orchards along the San Lorenzo River corridor with volunteer days.
Location: Sites near the San Lorenzo River, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: santacruzorchard.org
Homeless Garden Project / Natural Bridges Farm
Nonprofit organic farm providing job training and a CSA, plus a farm stand.
Location: Natural Bridges Farm, 2222 Swanton Boulevard, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: homelessgardenproject.org
Bulk Soil & Landscape Supplies
Aptos Landscape Supply
Family-owned bulk supplier for soil, compost, mulch, gravel, stone, and hardscape materials.
Location: 5035 Freedom Boulevard, Aptos, CA 95003
Website: aptoslandscapesupply.com
Central Home Supply
Large landscape yard with stone, pavers, retaining-wall block, sand, and gravel.
Location: 808 River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Website: centralhomesupply.com
Fire Safety Resources
CAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire
Official fire safety resources, defensible space guidelines, and community preparedness.
Website: readyforwildfire.org
Santa Cruz County Fire Safe Council
Local fire prevention education, resources, and community programs.
Website: santacruzcountyfsc.org
Online Tools
Calscape
Database of California native plants with information on which plants grow in your specific area.
Website: calscape.org
Sunset Climate Zones
More detailed climate zone information than USDA zones, specifically for Western gardens.
Website: Search "Sunset Climate Zones" for interactive maps
Know a great local resource I missed? Get in touch and let me know! I'm always looking to add helpful resources for Santa Cruz County gardeners.