Local Resources for
Santa Cruz County Gardeners
A curated list of trusted local gardening resources for Santa Cruz County.
This page includes nurseries, seed companies, farmers markets, community gardens, and safety resources that support successful gardening across Santa Cruz County’s diverse microclimates. Listings are selected for regional relevance and practical usefulness.
On this page:
Nurseries & Garden Centers - Seed Companies - Farmer’s Markets - Plant Sales - Seed Libraries
Community Gardens - Bulk Soil - Fire Safety - Water Resources - UC and County Resources - Online Tools
Nurseries & Garden Centers
Local nurseries offering regionally appropriate plants, soil amendments, and gardening supplies.
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
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
Seed companies providing regionally appropriate vegetable, herb, and flower seeds for coastal and inland microclimates.
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
Farmers markets across Santa Cruz County offering locally grown produce, plants, and seasonal inspiration.
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
Native and unique plant sales featuring plants that thrive in our microclimates.
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.
Website is currently under construction
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
Community seed libraries and exchanges that help gardeners access locally adapted seeds and preserve regional varieties.
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
Shared garden spaces and programs that support community growing, education, and local food access.
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
Local sources for bulk soil, compost, mulch, and other amendments commonly used in Santa Cruz County gardens.
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
Evergreen Supply
Bulk soil, compost, mulch, and landscape materials serving South County and Pajaro Valley gardeners.
Location: 347 Walker St, Watsonville, CA 95076
Website https://www.evergreensupplyonline.com/
Santa Cruz County Composting Workshops
Free county workshops on backyard composting and worm bins; GreenWaste customers can qualify for a free bin or worm bin.
Website: https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/PublicWorks/RecyclingSolidWaste/Composting/WorkshopsandClasses.aspx
Fire Safety Resources
Resources focused on fire-wise landscaping, defensible space planning, and gardening in fire-prone areas.
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
County of Santa Cruz – Defensible Space FAQs
Local defensible‑space expectations, tree protection rules, and guidance on creating fire‑wise landscapes while maintaining habitat.
Website: https://cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/UPC/EnvironmentalPermitsTechnicalReviews/TreeProtectionandRemoval/DefensibleSpaceFAQs.aspx
Central Fire District – Defensible Space
Homeowner‑focused defensible‑space requirements and maintenance guidance for Central Fire’s service area.
Website: https://www.centralfiresc.org/2223/Defensible-Space
Water & Irrigation Resources
Local guidance on water use, irrigation practices, and conservation strategies for drought-prone conditions.
Soquel Creek Water District Conservation
Programs for irrigation efficiency and Xeriscaping ideas tailored to local soils.
Website: https://www.soquelcreekwater.org/conservation
District 1 Resource Conservation District
Technical assistance and planting plans focused on waterwise and habitat gardening.
Website: https://www.rcdsantacruz.org/
Official Water Conservation Guide for Santa Cruz County
Countywide overview of local water agencies, basin conditions, and outdoor water‑saving strategies, including lawn replacement and irrigation tips.
https://watersavingtips.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Official-Water-Conservation-Guide-for-Santa-Cruz-County-2019.pdf
Santa Cruz County Water Agencies – Rebates & Resources
County Environmental Health hub linking to conservation programs, rebates, and watering rules for all local water providers.
Website: https://scceh.com/NewHome/Programs/LandUse/IndividualWaterSystem/WaterAgencies%E2%80%93Rebates,ResourcesandConservation.aspx
County, University & Extension Resources
University and county resources offering research-based gardening guidance, pest management, and educational programs.
UC Master Gardeners of Santa Cruz County
Certified gardening advice, workshops, and pest management guidance.
Website: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-monterey-santa-cruz-counties
Santa Cruz County Water Resources Division
Local water use rules, irrigation guides, drought updates, and conservation tips.
Website: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/WaterResources.aspx
UC IPM – Integrated Pest Management
University of California pest identification, lifecycle info, and non-toxic strategies.
Website: https://ipm.ucanr.edu/
Online Tools & References
Online tools and reference sites commonly used by Santa Cruz County gardeners for planning and troubleshooting.
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
Resources listed here are selected for regional relevance and practical usefulness rather than sponsorship or ranking.
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.