Backyard Series: Growing Flowers from Seeds

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025; 9:30AM - 12PM

Location: UCSC Hay Barn and Greenhouse; park in the Hay Barn parking lot

Format: In person

Instructor: Christof Bernau

Cost: Based on your ability to pay. Workshop fees go to support the Center for Agroecology. Please select the price that works for you. UCSC students may attend for free, please email agroecology@ucsc.edu to register as a student.

In this workshop led by UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology’s Farm Garden Manager Christof Bernau, we'll discuss best practices for sowing, cultivating seedlings and transplanting flowers. We will explore strategies for planning and timing a successful warm season flower garden in this region. During the hands-on portion of the workshop we will discuss/examine soil mix qualities for successful seedling development, challenges with very small seeds, sow seeds and examine the developmental stages of young seedlings.

Special guest Renee Shepherd will speak on easy to grow flowers for the Monterey Bay area and will have seed packets on hand to share. Participants will all take home a small selection of just sown seed/containers that that can grow on for the coming season. Whether this is your first time sowing seeds or you have been stewarding your garden for years this will be a great way to spring into the growing season.

Things to Bring

Gardening gloves, layered clothing, sturdy shoes, and rain gear depending on the weather. This event takes place rain or shine. We will be walking up to the farm’s greenhouse after a presentation in the Hay Barn, which features a small incline/slope.

Pre-registration is required for this workshop. Email accommodation requests to agroecology.ucsc.edu. Presented by the Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden. Members receive a 10% discount on workshop costs. Learn more about becoming a member and sign up at: https://agroecology.ucsc.edu/get-involved/join-the-friends/index.html