Santa Cruz Edible Gardens Tour with tomato tasting and more

The first (hopefully 1st annual) Santa Cruz Edible Gardens Tour is happening this Saturday, August 25, and it sounds like a fabulous event. It’s only $10 and it includes 16 gardens across town. Once you buy a ticket, you receive a map showing each garden. The Eastside and Midtown gardens are open from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. while the Westside gardens are available to visit from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The event culminates with a gathering at the Odonata Wines tasting room (2343 Mission Street).

Buy tickets online. Tickets will also be available Saturday at the Live Oak Grange (1900 17th Ave). For more information call (831) 207-6069.

Some of the gardens are at private residences, while others are at schools and different venues including Homeless Garden Project’s farm on Shaffer Road. Selected gardens will have different activities such as demonstrations, workshops, and discussions. One home gardener promises a delicious tomato tasting in addition to a poetry reading. Whether you go to just one garden or a dozen, you’re bound to learn something about sustainability and have fun at the same time!

The tour is organized by Slow Food Santa Cruz, an active chapter of Slow Food USA. According to its web site, Slow Food SC is “a diverse group of food enthusiasts with a curiosity about food traditions and heritage and local artisanal products.” You can read more about this dynamic group on the site www.slowfoodsantacruz.com. For more information contact info@slowfoodsantacruz.com.

On Twitter? Follow me @santacruzfoodie