Composting Demonstration Sites

Live Oak Grange Compost Demonstration Site
Located at the Live Oak Grange Demonstration Garden, 1900 17th Ave, Santa Cruz. Open every day, sunrise to sunset. Includes three-bin system made of recycled pallets as well as a full range of manufactured and home-made compost bins and worm bins. Maintained by Santa Cruz County Master Composters.

Cabrillo College Botanic Gardens Compost Demonstration Site
Located at the Cabrillo College Environmental Horticulture Center Botanic Gardens, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Open Monday through Saturday, 9am-5pm during fall and spring semesters. Summer and winter session (January) hours are less predictable. Generally closed on holidays. The site features examples of several manufactured bins, including a ComposTumbler rotating barrel composter, a Biostack, an Earth Machine, a variety of homemade and manufactured worm bins and a large two-bin system which can be turned using a small tractor. Maintained by County of Santa Cruz Master Composters and Cabrillo Horticulture staff and students. Directions: The Center is perched on 11 acres above the Cabrillo campus. Follow the Perimeter Road, turn up the hill towards the Center and park in the lot across from the 5000 building. From the parking lot, continue walking on the paved road that leads into the gated greenhouse propagation area. The Compost demonstration site is located at the end of the paved road on the right.

Cabrillo College Botanic Gardens Compost Demonstration Site

Located at the Cabrillo College Environmental Horticulture Center Botanic Gardens, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

Open Monday through Saturday, 9am-5pm during fall and spring semesters. Summer and winter session (January) hours are less predictable. Generally closed on holidays.

The site features examples of several manufactured bins, including a ComposTumbler rotating barrel composter, a Biostack, an Earth Machine, a variety of homemade and manufactured worm bins and a large two-bin system which can be turned using a small tractor.

Maintained by County of Santa Cruz Master Composters and Cabrillo Horticulture staff and students.

Directions: The Center is perched on 11 acres above the Cabrillo campus. Follow the Perimeter Road, turn up the hill towards the Center and park in the lot across from the 5000 building. From the parking lot, continue walking on the paved road that leads into the gated greenhouse propagation area. The Compost demonstration site is located at the end of the paved road on the right.

Grey Bears Compost and Worm Bin Demonstration Site
Visit the site to see different types of compost bins and worm bins in action. Open Every Day 7am – 4pm. Directions –2710 Chanticleer, Santa Cruz - Once you’ve arrived at the Grey Bears Site, the demonstration site is on the north and west sides of the house that serves as the Grey Bears Office. If you have trouble finding it, please ask the staff of the Recycling Center for directions.

Life Lab Children’s Garden Composting Demonstration Site
Located at the UCSC Farm – Visit the site to see many compost and worm bins. Open every day 8am - 6pm. Get Directions – from Mission St. in Santa Cruz, going north, turn right on Bay St., follow until you get to UCSC’s main entrance, continue up the hill to the Carriage House/Campus Facilities parking lot on the right and park. Cross the street and follow signs that say Agroecology/Farm/Pedestrians. Walk 350 yards on the gravel path to the gate on your left. Please be careful not to walk on the paved bike path. The demonstration site will be off to your left under a large avocado tree.

Life Lab Children’s Garden Composting Demonstration Site

Located at the UCSC Farm – Visit the site to see many compost and worm bins. Open every day 8am - 6pm.

Get Directions – from Mission St. in Santa Cruz, going north, turn right on Bay St., follow until you get to UCSC’s main entrance, continue up the hill to the Carriage House/Campus Facilities parking lot on the right and park. Cross the street and follow signs that say Agroecology/Farm/Pedestrians. Walk 350 yards on the gravel path to the gate on your left. Please be careful not to walk on the paved bike path. The demonstration site will be off to your left under a large avocado tree.