UCSC Farm & Garden Fall Plant Sale | Sept. 7-8 ( noon-6 p.m. / 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Plant vegetable crops that will extend your gardening season and give perennials a good head start for next spring's blossoms. The region's best-suited varieties of organically grown winter vegetables and landscape plants are featured at the Fall Plant Sale.

UCSC Campus - Barn Theater Parking Lot
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

Santa Cruz County Fair | Sept. 11-16

An old-fashion county celebration with displays of home-crafted goods, hobbies, collectibles, art and photography. Other areas have service club projects, commercial vendors and there is a large horticulture section with commercial and amateur displays. The agricultural area has barns and paddocks with chickens, cows, sheep, goats, other farm animals and the horse arena. Throughout the fair grounds there are ongoing demonstrations, competitions, auctions and at the Agriculture History Museum, Yesterday's Farm has historic equipment, other displays, demonstrations, and activities. Featured entertainment groups are found at several stage locations. Other highlights include an adult and a child carnival areas and an abundance of fair food that ranges from cotton candy to ethnic choices and various fresh grilled BBQ options. Open Tue-Fri, noon-11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sun 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds, Watsonville
831-724-5671, www.santacruzcountryfair.com

Apple Varieties for the Central Coast Workshop | Sept. 15 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Garden Manager Orin Martin leads this special workshop about growing and harvesting apple varieties that thrive under Central Coast conditions. An apple tasting will follow the lecture.

UCSC Campus - Farm and Garden
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

A Taste of the Harvest | Sept. 15 (4-7 p.m,)

Enjoy a seasonal tasting prepared by Chef Jon Dickinson of Café Cruz. Featured items include produce from local farms, wines by Cooper-Garrod Winery and beer by Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery. There is a silent auction and proceeds benefit Garden Classroom Programs.

UCSC Campus - Life Lab Garden Classroom
831-459-4074, www.lifelab.org