Santa Cruz Center of Botanical Studies

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.” -Luther Burbank Big news from the center more blossoms to bloom soon come stay tuned... @ Santa Cruz, California

City of has officially decriminalized

Breaking: Santa Cruz Decriminalizes All Entheogenic Plants and Fungi | DoubleBlind Santa Cruz city council voted to decriminalize all plants and fungi, becoming the second city in California to pass a Decriminalize Nature measure. Read more at DoubleBlind.

Give back to the soil...cultivate the future!

A message from Dr Vandana Shiva for the New Year 2020 Multi-lingual subtitles available - see viewing instructions in different languages below SPANISH, Español: Para ver los subtítulos, haz clic en el círculo e...

Walking in the nature reserves above UCSC after the rains appreciating the fungi fruiting happened on a quartz garden in a river bed looked up at saw these beautiful mushrooms took a picture in a shadowy ravine and this natural flash of charged energy rushed through my body and was captured in this picture. we are confirmed to learn more about natural mycology systems in nature and are excited to share more in 2020 with our community about these beautiful and essential contributors to the living soil food web and beyond!

Giving thanks for a successful & enjoyable harvest celebration at our new home on a sunny & stormy Sunday afternoon. We had delicious healthy foods catered by and enjoyed one another’s company sharing about a very blessed and fruitful season. A brief presentation of our ongoing works and glimpse into the 2019 journey. We cared for a diverse crop of heirloom, landrace to popular hybrids this year doing the R&D to educate and share findings with our members from the field. Grateful to all that support the vision and ongoing works of The Center. @ Santa Cruz, California

Long flowering Sativas came in today before the rains. Here at the Center we put theory into praxis by practicing what we teach in order to ensure the best results for the people, plant and planet. Pictured is before harvest as she swelled with seasonal bliss taking her time fattening up before thanksgiving. We will be showcasing these and more at a special harvest celebration & invitational in Santa Cruz December 8th DM for details and thank you for supporting ! www.thebotanicalcenter.org

The right remedy in any garden is natural integrated pest management. Ladybugs are incredible predators to aphids and so many other creatures that can be held in check naturally by aligning with the land.

Inspect, verify, daily checks sometimes multiple times a day for sexing seedlings...it’s now September been culling males for weeks right when you think it’s smooth sailing for the flower cycle one of the landrace panama reds largest queens of the garden turns out to be a spicy king ready to pollinate the entire crop!These oversights can devastate your year. Be vigilant and continue to walk the lines, use your jewelers loop, identify the female pistil (white hair) the female organs of a flower, comprising the stigma, style, and o***y. If it is questionable mark the sight and keep a watchful eye multiple times a day. Never miss a day. Pollen sacks develop fast when your not around you can seed the whole property. Males make great juice, compost or if you have another indoor garden or property great for breeding seed but be sure to have at least a 5 mile buffer from any other flowering females you do not wish to pollinate. Bees too love male pollen! @ Santa Cruz County, California

California poppies native plants supporting pollinators in the garden. Planting in the earth is ecologically sound. “See your gardening as a Dharma or service to humanity and the earth. Gardening is one of the single biggest acts of protest for consumerism. Gardens allow for community and self sustainability”-DEM @ Santa Cruz County, California