Over a period of time, beginning in 2015, the Friends of the Aptos Library created and maintained a showcase, water-saving, sustainable landscape and garden replacing the old grass area in front of the library.
California native, water-wise plants were planted with lots of help from volunteers and friends! (see photos below)
In Fall 2020 we dismantled our garden in preparation for the construction of the new Aptos Library.
Go to our Connections page for a list of major contributors and donors.
We are a 501 (c) 3 non-profit, all donations are tax deductible (Tax ID: #94-2612557).
Donate on line | Please direct your gift to the Aptos Branch Chapter of Friends of SCPL
Contact us | To participate in tending the garden.
Major funding for this project has been from a Soquel Creek Water-Wise Mini-Grant, and from generous private and business donations, from volunteer work and many in-kind donations from garden professionals. We are very grateful to all our contributors and donors. Our garden will bring water-saving benefits to the Aptos Public Library and offer learning opportunities for Library patrons and for the Aptos community. 
  • October 2015 –  Turf Replacement Rebate Pre-Approval from Soquel Creek Water District.
  • December 2015 – Design for the landscape garden by Cammie Brown, Serenity-by-Dezign & Cabrillo College Horticulture Program.
  • December 2015 – Sheet mulching 1800 sq. ft. of turf area where garden will be located; all with volunteer labor ( see photos below).
  • June 2016 – Awarded Water-Wise Garden Mini-Grant by Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors.
  • August - November 2016 – Donations from community members, from local merchants and from local nurseries.
  • September to November 2016 – Soil preparation; plant selections; planting; install drip-irrigation system.
  • Saturday October 26, 2016 – Planting Day - Phase One - We planted 73 plants in about 3 hours with tons of support!
  • Saturday November 5, 2016 – Drip Irrigation installed - Michael Johnson (Cabrillo Horticulture Dept) and many volunteers.
  • November 15, 2016 – Dine for a Day at Erik's Deli Café in support of the Friends of the Aptos Library.
  • Saturday, December 3, 2016 – Planting Day - Phase Two - Boulders, flagstone and balance of plants in the ground. Go check it out!
  • April 13, 2017 – Celebration and appreciation event for all our donors and volunteers.
  • 2018, 2019, 2020 –  Our group of volunteers frequently schedule gardening days.
  • Fall 2020 – We dismantled our garden in preparation for the construction of the new Aptos Library.
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Tending and refreshing the garden ~ November 2018
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Planting Day ~ Phase One ~ October 2016
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Preparing the ground: sheet mulching day ~ December 2015